About
OUR PASTOR
Rev. Dr. W.C. Watson, Jr., - Christian Ministry
The Rev. Dr. W.C. Watson, Jr., is a native of Forrest City, Arkansas, who has served as senior pastor of the Canaan Baptist Church of Christ since 1994. As pastor, he has made a commitment to developing strong ministries within the church, strengthening families, and promoting community outreach. A number of years ago, he led the church through a major building expansion program, which more than tripled the size of the original church facility. For that effort, he and Canaan were honored with the Trail Blazer Award for vision and leadership by the Springfield Democratic City Committee. He has received numerous other recognitions and awards for his various achievements.
Dr. Watson earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree at Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a Master of Divinity Degree at the Harvard Divinity School, a Certificate in Community Economic Development (also at the Harvard Divinity School), and a Doctor of Ministry Degree at Drew University, in Madison, New Jersey. Additionally, he has authored several published articles, and is the author of the book, Joyfilled: Discovering the Profound Value of the Joy Within. He has served as an instructor with the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts (TABCOM) School of Ministry, and with the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education.
In keeping with his long-standing interest in community outreach, family support, and economic development, Pastor Watson has served in leadership positions with a number of ministerial associations, as well as community and faith-based organizations. In this regard, he is serving as President of the Pastors’ Council of Greater Springfield for 2014-2015. He has served as Administrative Director and board member with the Springfield 10 Point Coalition, and has rendered service as president and board member with the Pioneer Valley Project, an organization committed to community advocacy and development.
Dr. Watson has distinguished himself further in leadership positions with the following ministerial and community organizations during his tenure as pastor of Canaan:
- Dean of the United Baptist Convention Congress of Christian Education
- Chairman of the Board of the Springfield Urban League
- Board Member of the Council of Churches of Greater Springfield
- Chairman of the Steering Committee for Step up Springfield (a Community-Wide Campaign for Educational Proficiency)
- Board Member of the United Way™ of Pioneer Valley
- Special Assistant to the President of the Congress of Christian Education of the National Baptist Convention, USA
- Chaplain at Western New England University
Dr. W.C. Watson, Jr., has inspired Canaan to become a church strong in family support, ministry services, and community outreach. Under his leadership, Canaan has made an impact throughout the city of Springfield, within the greater New England region, and even on a national level through his service as a special assistant to the president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., from 2002 to 2006. In addition, Dr. Watson's book, Joyfilled: Discovering the Profound Value of the Joy Within, has been well received in several parts of the country.
First Lady Dr. Annie has made notable strides in her own right. She is a women's conference organizer, a dentist, and the owner of a thriving dental practice. Her dental complex is an adjacent neighbor to the church. Dr. W.C. Watson, Dr. Annie B. Watson, and Canaan are a collaborative team that has made a tremendous mark in the City of Springfield, Western Massachusetts, and beyond.
About
OUR CHURCH
Who We Are
Founded in 1990, Canaan Baptist Church of Christ is a Christian church and ministry committed to worshiping God and supporting community needs in the Greater Springfield, Massachusetts, area. Over the years, our church has not only expanded our community impact, but also our campus facility. In 2004, Dr. Watson led the church in a $1.5 million dollar expansion program which more than tripled the size of our initial facility and incorporated the acquisition of additional property.
Mission Statement
Canaan Baptist Church of Christ is a fellowship of believers organized and committed to worshiping God, magnifying Jesus Christ, and promoting kingdom principles and outreach through the power of the Holy Spirit. We are dedicated to teaching and preaching the word of God and rendering service to the community for the benefit of all people. Our focus is Christ-centered, our mission is life-changing, and our worship is a joyful praise rendered for the exceeding, abundant goodness of the Lord.
Our History
Canaan emerged from the historic Third Baptist Church in Springfield in March of 1990. At that time, the Rev. Dr. Paul A. Fullilove inspired a group of worshipers to seek a new church experience in the East Springfield section of the city.
Canaan called the Rev. Brett Snowden as its first pastor, but upon his leaving to pursue doctoral studies, the church called its current senior pastor, the Rev. Dr. W.C. Watson, Jr., in December of 1994. Under Dr. Watson's visionary leadership, Canaan has embraced a strong spirit of worship, organized a variety of effective church ministries, and engaged with numerous community organizations and agencies in carrying out its kingdom mandate and mission. Some of the organizations and agencies the church has been involved with include:
- United Baptist Convention of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, & New Hampshire
- Urban League of Springfield
- Council of Churches of Greater Springfield
- Pastors Council of Greater Springfield
- United Way of Pioneer Valley
- Pioneer Valley Project (a community advocacy agency)
- Western New England University
- Springfield 10 Point Coalition
- Loaves & Fishes
- Annie's Corner Ministry for the Needy
Contact our friendly church members in Springfield, Massachusetts,
to find out more about the worship life at Canaan and the Christian ministry services we offer.
Church Location
1430 Carew Street Springfield,
MA 01104 US
Landmarks: Located at the Corner of Carew & Hobart Street across from the Mary O. Pottenger Elementary School