jean watson: Journal

Hello from Yorkshire!

Just a quick update to let you all know that I have not been poisoned by all the Yorkshire pudding and AM still alive!

This tour has been quite different than the others.....not one or two or three getting healed and saved, but EVERYONE getting healed, saved and delivered. Picture meetings where most don't leave until they have received prayer, where people are basking in the Spirit and receiving from God 2-3 hours after the service, where the miraculous is becoming commonplace and as expected as the sun rising!!

Last night, I ministered at a church where I had done a ladies meeting on Sun night. The pastor did not expect a big turnout because the meeting had not been advertised, but the church was filled - with ladies who came back for more of what they got on Sunday, with husbands, friends, people from other cities, people who had been in churches where I ministered before, all expecting to receive more of God. And they did. I did!!! Will our God ever cease to amaze us????

People testified of their healings.....one from arthritis, one from a bowel disorder, one claiming that a malignant lump had disappeared!!! And on and on and on. Has nothing to do with me except for the fact that I showed up! I am only the vessel and the conduit....there to spark the faith that is needed to receive God's love!!!!

Please continue to pray for me as the journey is only half through. Pray for my physical strength, as the requirements on my body are taxing. Pray that I will eat enough and for protection for me and the kids.

I love you all and rely on your prayers as the most important part of this ministry which is absolutley not mine!! I just get the undeserved privilege of sitting in the front row watching it all happen.

Basking in the heat of the FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today begins my journey back to England for the remainder of June. How my heart leaps at the thought of being back in the nation where He has called me to minister! What joy there is in center of His will! Every time I return, the anointing is stronger, and the impact is greater - His impact. My job is to continually stay dead and out of the way so that Christ can continually love and live through me. He changes everything that He touches. May He touch and change everything in His path this month!! Please pray for my safety, the safety of my children, and for an explosive harvest in the land of Yorkshire pudding!

Spring has finally sprung here in Michigan and I am spending lots of time outside working in my garden and riding "Aslan", a young gelding that I am helping to train for a friend. Horses are God's gift to me - pure fun! My idea of heaven would be a giant horse farm

I covet your prayers as I head back out into the "mission field" in England later this month. Please pray for our protection and harvest, harvest, harvest. Open hearts!! And for my laptop to work properly!! :)

I just received a "review" today that brought me to tears. You can read it on my "reviews" page. So happy that God is using me to bless someone!

I lost a dear friend and partner in music this week...recording engineer, producer, brother in Christ, Kevin Brown.

Every song I have recorded to date is the work of Kevin's masterful hands and ears and mind. You hear my voice...I hear Kevin behind me, encouraging me, drawing out the best in me, praying with me, worshiping with me, laughing with me, crying with me. (I can still hear him saying, "I'm laughing WITH you, Jean, not AT you!")

Aside from the amazing person that he was, his skill at the mixing console was astounding. What a hole, what a void he has left in my life and the lives of so many others! And yet, how happy I am for him knowing that he is enjoying music that our ears have yet to hear.

Please join me in praying for his family and particularly his wife Debbie and the rest of us who are waiting to hear those heavenly sounds!!

www.caringbridge.org/visit/kevinbrown

Just posted some pics today from a concert at "Church of the Martyrs" in Leicester, England, with "Imaginary Friend". More coming, plus some video when I find some TIME!

I'll be returning to England for 5 days in May and then again in June for another 2-week tour. Praising God...

Well, any of you who have been following my ministry lately know that I just returned from my second UK tour. As I am able to dig out from under the pile of spiritual treasure that I returned with, I will be sharing more and more of the trip with you! Suffice it to say, we saw an even greater harvest than last year! I asked God specifically for salvation, healing, and deliverance at every meeting/concert, and the Lord surely answered my prayers. It was also fun to see the fruit from seeds sown last year. One woman came to me and imformed me that a family member that we had prayed together for had been saved and filled with the Spirit two months after my trip! Many others had grown greatly in their faith since I had last seen them.

The band "Imaginary Friend", which caught the fire last year, was fully ablaze. What a joy it was to worship with them again and to share the fun of ministry!! We overflowed with the joy of the Lord as we saw miracle after miracle. I believe that God is training them and releasing them into a powerful ministry. Besides that, they are great friends who kept me in stitches laughing wherever we went!

During most of the trip, (15 events in 12 days!!!)
faithful Noel and Joanna in Yorkshire carted me around England tirelessly and did everything....literally EVERYTHING....so that I could focus on the ministry. There are no words to express my thanks for Noel's efforts without which, none of this would have happened! What a servant!!

One of the highlights for me was being able to share parts of my testimony on UCB Radio which is broadcast throughout most of England. I was also interviewed by "Crossrhythms.co.uk" which is Europe's largest Christian music website.

The biggest difference this year was a focus on prayer ministry. After every concert, I would invite the audience to come forward for prayer. Most times, we were there praying 1-2 hours after the event had ended! I was amazed at the patience of those who would not leave until they had received from God what they came for. The results were dramatic - many physical healings, many set free from various types of bondage, and seven who gave their lives to the Lord.

THAT is why I went to England. Now my appetite is whetted for more. I am not satisfied, and I know this is just the beginning!! The day after my return, the planning began for tour #3 in June!!!!!!

Its February already - only 3 weeks away from my second tour of England! Please pray for me during this time. Very often the time of preparation in prayer is more difficult than the actual events! I have been under tremendous attack recently which indicates to me that the second explosion may be bigger than the first....(to understand that you have to scroll down and read about the 2007 tour) Anyway, your prayers and encouragement for me and the kids are appreciated!!

Happy New Year!! I am writing from sunny Florida...enjoying time with the kids and doing some ministry. Just found out today that I have been nominated for an Indieheaven Momentum Award (like a Christian Grammy). But I need your help! Winners are chosen by votes between now and Jan 31. If you would like to vote for me, please go to the link below and nominate me (female vocalist of the year and/or inspirational artist). Thanks. The award means nothing to me, but it helps get my name,music and mission into more places. 2007 was an amazing ride....being pa
rt of what the Spirit is doing always exceeds our human expectations. But that was just the beginning, and I am believing God for a double portion in 2008! May He give you faith for it in your life, as well!
http://www.indieheaven.com/momentum_awards.php

Just notified that I have named "Female Praise and Worship Artist USA" of the year by New Christian Music Alliance in the UK.

Praise God! I'm going back in March to sing at the Radio Mike Awards in Leighton Buzzard, England. We are now booking concerts in England for the first two weeks in March. contact me for more info.

I spent October back in Michigan recovering...processing the England experience...and continuing to watch the fire burn and spread. I hear stories every week about how the Holy Spirit's work is growing and continuing there! Here is part of another letter...

Well! Things
havn't quite returned to normal over here. Not quite sure what you did (or
strictly speaking what God did through you!) but it feels like a fire that no
hose can put out. I fear that soon the whole forest might be ablaze. ... I learnt so much from you and I just
want to say thanks. We met up the other day and didn't play a single note and it
was great because we just talked and prayed. Things I've learnt: *That God does
answer prayer and it's not just coincidence....
*That sometimes you have to go a long time in dry
frustrating prayer before God acts but that he certainly eventually
does!(thinking of your son and his healing. I'm sure the end result there would
have been worth 10 years of prayer!).
*That your ministry works because of your honesty,
vulnerability and transparency. And also because it's being continually
saturated in prayer.
*That I need to remain out of the boat and a faithful
witness to God.... *It feels like you coming to England is in some way
the beginning of the rest of my life and that nothing will ever be the same
again. ....
*Your encouragement was a blessing. When I told you
I'd been praying more you were genuinely thrilled and supportive. That meant a
lot. .... * Your faith was probably the biggest blessing to me.
You went into each event it seems 'KNOWING' God was going to turn up. Knowing He
was about to change peoples lives. It wasn't like "oh, God might do something tonight", you knew He would. Amazing.

Anyway, Since your return to the USA, we are all still on fire.

I'm back..physically!! Still speechless!! Here are some comments from Steve of "Imaginary Friend", the group who toured with me:

Well Folk's - It's happening! Jean Watson in the UK backed and supported by Imaginary Friend! (initially dubbed 'The Watsonettes' by Pastor Dave Green in Halifax and later 'Wat IF!')

We played The Manna Coffee House in Cottingham, Hull last Saturday night and left them wanting more (of The Holy Spirit! AWESOME - to coin a Jean phrase! LOL).

This was followed by two live songs on BBC Radio Leeds (and a recorded interview on BBC Radio Leicester) followed by two praise services at Elim Churches in Halifax and Huddersfield - such an outpouring of God's Spirit in both places - Praise Jesus! (Special thanks to Noel Donaldson for arranging these gigs)

Jean complaining of her stomach hurting from laughing so much at Steve and Kev's comedic behaviour! Anne and Jean playing strings (Cello & violin) together and harmonising - BRILL (It's a UK expression Jean!)

Jean reports 'Women Aglow' meeting in Guisley was awash with the Holy Spirit tonight - AMEN (Nice one again Noel!)

Weds 26/09/07 - Huddersfield Senior's Lunch meeting followed by a Church plant meeting in New Parks, Leicester in the evening (5pm onwards)

Friday - William Lovell C of E School - Stickney, Lincs (Courtesty of Steve Lowndes - cheers mate!)

Sat AM - Tomatoes Breakfast Club - Church of the Martyrs Leicester (tomatoes.org.uk)

Sat PM - Jesus Loves Leicester 2007 Celebration - Wheatsheaf Christian Fellowship, Welford Rd, Leicester

Sunday 30/09/07 - 4.30pm Worship Workshop followed by Tea followed by Testimony and Worship from 6.30pm - Church of the Martyrs Leicester.

Jean returns to Michigan on Monday 1st October 2007

Thank you for visiting the UK Jean and encouraging us all with you amazing outworking of your faith and your musical gifts - praying you'll be back very soon - AMEN!

Steve - IF

Here's a letter sent by Noel Donaldson who did a WORLD CLASS job of promoting the concerts and making sure that things ran smoothly. What a servant!! Here is what he wrote to my children:
Hey Guys (or gals if you prefer!)

Thank you for letting us borrow your Mum for a while, we have been blessed tremendously. Your Mum has been teased, fed, confused, I could (and often do) go on.
The best part is what God has done through her. God has blessed the sacrifice of her not being with you; the outpouring of God’s spirit has been an experience I have not seen before. I pray you have been as blessed as we have been.

Now I will dish the dirt! Ask her about Marbles, then about Yorkshire Pudding and Fish and Chips! All healthy food of course! Ask her about bumps in the night! About the other version of Red and Purple! Having to listen to me for a couple of days!
Seriously though, we have had the most wonderful time and that is just us – the organisers!
My parting comments to your Mum were ‘you are going home for a holiday, only a holiday. When you come back here bring the kids too.’ I meant it!
You are very special, never forget that.
Blessings
Noel
P.S. I was once told every letter should have a P.S. so this is it!

I am still in England right now, but wanted to send a quick update. God has moved in ways beyond my wildest dreams over here!! The response of the British people to the Lord has been nothing short of explosive! Everywhere I go, lives are being dramatically changed. Usually there are no dry eyes at my concerts!!! No one has been more changed than me, however. I am left humbled and speechless!! ( a true miracle for those who know me!!) I have been completely overcome by God's glory....picture me singing "Purple and Red" in an ancient stone church in Yorkshire, and you will get the idea.....

"Exalt" is on the "Fan Faves" chart at www.indieheaven.com. this month. You can vote for "Exalt" and other great Christian artists at www.indieheaven.com..

Getting ready for take off for England, musically and spiritually! Please pray for this trip to be fruitful and for many souls to be touched by God! The Kalamazoo Gazette ran another article about the trip this week:

Area gospel musician

to tour England

Contemporary-gospel musician Jean Watson stresses a simple message in her music: Embrace your dreams, no matter how lofty.


Watson, 42, a single mother of four living in Lawton, was able to raise about $25,000 to fund her 2006 CD, "Unveiled," a collaboration with a producer and an arranger from Belfast, an orchestrator in London and an orchestra in Prague.

The disc -- which was funded by previous CD sales, a grant from the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo and private donors -- led to invitations to perform in a series of shows in England starting Sept. 18.

Watson credits the CD and tour to her persistent prayers asking for exactly those things.

"When things like that happen to you, you think, 'Wow, anything is possible,'" she said.

Watson, who plays violin and sings over a programmed keyboard playing her original compositions, said she'll perform almost a concert a day from Sept. 18 to 30.

To hear Watson's music, go online to www.jeanwatson.com.

Back in town!! The ministry in Cheboygan and Menominee in the Upper Peninsula was amazing! Thanks to all who facilitated my visits. The girls went along and got to watch on the front lines again....what a blessing to be able to do what I do and have the kids right there witnessing the power of God. He is definitely moving in both of these cities, and I look forward to going back and continuing to help!
I posted some new pictures in the photo gallery.

Now the focus is on England. I found out "accidentally" about an event called "Jesus Loves Leicester 2007" which is happening during the course of my visit to that city! I contacted the organizers, and they are excited and trying to plug me in to participate in some way. I am asking for prayer now for me, my children, and for the people that he is sending me to, that God's will alone be done! May we be protected by His hand and this work bring forth much fruit for His glory!

Thanks to KXBG 95.9 "The Lighthouse" in West Fargo, ND for adding "Unveiled" to the playlist this week!

Summer has been flying by! Hard to believes that school starts again soon. The kids and I have one last fling next week: a trip to Cheboygan, Mackinaw Island, and the Upper Peninsula. In our house, its always about ministry, though! God just blesses us with fun along the way as we try to put Him first. What a joy to be able to travel with the kids again to perform and lead worship on Sunday at the Shepherd's House of Praise in Cheboygan and then again at North Shore Baptist Church in Menominee on Wednesday. We'll check out Mackinaw while we are there!
Other happenings: "Unveiled" got yet another glowing review last week. Check it out on the "press/reviews" page. Also, radio is coming! Seven tracks from "Unveiled" are now on the playlist of
WDAC-HD-1 94.5 The Voice of Christian Radio
WDAC-HD-2 Hope 94.5 Music for the Heart
in Lancaster, PA! Tracks are also being prepared for radio promotion in Europe in the fall.

I'll close with a Word that God gave me this week... "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." (Isaiah 66:2) "Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Mat 18:4) Let us enjoy being like children before the Lord, knowing that we are nothing before His awesome presence! Lord, make me less so that You can be more!!!

Hi folks....seems like I have been on another planet! Actually, it seems like I have been living in the book of Acts! I just returned from a 10-day vacation/tour of the mid-Atlantic states. It was a challenge that I relished all the way: the most concerts I had ever done in that space of time and the most miles on my car!! But as my friend Mary said, "They were 2500 GLORIOUS miles!!" I will go into more detail later - I'm tired. The thrill was having God work through me and for me every step of the way. He never failed to show up at the concerts and meet peoples' needs. His power and presence was so evident and so awesome. I was continually in awe. Plus, it was so stinkin' fun to be doing what I love: singing and encouraging others from my heart!! And to have my kids with me - bliss!! Thanks to all who made this possible. There were many who facilitated to whom I am so grateful.

There is also a new review from England's Paul Davis on the press/reviews page. Many thanks to Paul for his encouraging words!!

What an amazing God we serve. Way back in my childhood, God planted a love in me for the UK and Ireland. The love smoldered and grew and evolved into prayer that was prayed hundreds...maybe thousands of times....a prayer that was written and carried on a small card in my purse for years. The prayer was simple: "Lord, please let me minister in the UK one day." This week the prayer was answered and confirmed. Through the faith, love, and hard work of new friends in England, a trip has been planned to bring Jean across the pond! God has burned into me the words of Luke 10 this month - the passage about Jesus sending out the disciples two by two into the towns and villages where HE was about to go. I believe that God is sending me to soften hearts and prepare the ground for a deeper work of the Holy Spirit which is coming.

I am deeply humbled and grateful that He would allow me to go and open up such a beautiful door!

My encouragement this month: listen to the dreams that God has placed in your heart, pray, and wait on the Lord! "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

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Got an invitation this week from an online Christian radio station in the UK which will be airing songs from Unveiled. God bless the ministry of Lee Delmont who puts this together! Check out his site! www.onlinechristianradio.co.uk/..htm