Pastor Shannon M. Crawley-Watkins

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Shannon was blessed with the gift of music at an early age. With much encouragement from her parents, Lucretia R. Spears (Crawley) Berry, and the late Jerome Donald Crawley, Shannon began to develop her musical talents through her continuous church involvement. At age four, Shannon began singing in the church choir, through which she openly expressed her love for Christ. At age 11, Shannon accepted Christ in her life as her personal Savior, solidifying her faith in God, as well as her membership with Faith Baptist Church, an institution that has been a great part of her family's history for over 64 years. With the passing of time, Faith Baptist Church became a true foundation for Shannon, and other church members who later went on to pursue singing careers, such as James "Woody" Green, "Woody Rock" (of the well-known musical group, Dru Hill).

Realizing the development of her musical gift, Shannon began to sing with a variety of groups in churches, schools, and in the community. While pursuing her studies at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute ("Poly"), she sang on the "Voices of B.P.I." gospel choir. While pursuing her studies at St. Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Va., she became a member of the college's Choral Society, through which her exposure to, and interest in, classical music evolved. Shannon also reestablished herself with a local church, Tabernacle of Zion, while attending St. Paul's, and continued to express her love for Christ through song. Eventually, Shannon transferred to Frostburg State University (F.S.U.), Frostburg, and moved to Western Maryland. While at F.S.U., Shannon participated in a number of activities, while holding various active positions on campus. She became a campus tour guide, a tutor, a prayer group and Bible Study leader/participant, a judicial board member, a talent contest winner, and a soloist and Vice-President of then, the F.S.U. Gospel Voices choir.

While with the Gospel Voices, Shannon met Minister Kenneth Watkins, Sr. (Kenny), the Minister of Music for the Ebenezer (Full Gospel) Baptist Church of Cumberland, Md. At the request of the choir members, Min. Watkins agreed to accompany them whenever his schedule permitted. His devotion to the university's gospel choir was supported by his Pastor, (Bishop) Dr. John B., Sr., and First Lady, Evangelist Earline McIntyre, as well as the congregation. The church welcomed the group to sing and to fellowship while away from home, a tradition that is still being carried out today. As a result of this fellowship, Shannon eventually joined Ebenezer. She found that her attendance there was a very instrumental part of her spiritual growth. She was an active participant in its ministry until January, 2005 (when God compelled Kenny and her into other ministry endeavors), and she also held various offices while there, including being the Sunday School Superintendent, a participant in women's ministries, a trustee, a praise and worship minister (with an Exalter's license), and a prison ministry volunteer. Shannon also assisted her church (and others) in other ways, as needed. In fact, she even served as the choir director for a year at McKendree United Methodist Church, as well (Cumberland, Md.). 

Furthermore, as a result of Kenny's initial encouragement, Shannon went on to perform her first solo concert at Ebenezer. Kenny was, and still is, a vital part of Shannon's gospel singing ministry. Through the show of his faith in God, and in Shannon, he not only came to assume the role of her manager, but he also became her beloved and devoted husband in April of 1999. Together they have begun choirs, participated in various ministries, and have established many relationships. 

Shannon eventually earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies (concentrating in Early Childhood Education) from Frostburg State.

Since their union, Kenny and Shannon have performed together in a number of settings, including radio stations, and church and community events (i.e., funerals, weddings, and festivals). They have also been featured guests on, "Magnify the Lord," and “Visions and Dreams”…..local television broadcasts. For various occasions, they were joined by community friends and/or members of the Ebenezer Full Gospel Baptist Church (and others). Under Kenny's leadership, some Ebenezer members have also been able to join with the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, of Washington, D.C., to sing as part of a 300-voice, mass choir. Shannon earned leads each year they joined with the fellowship, which was founded by Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. 

One of Kenny's and Shannon's achievements includes the completion of Shannon's first solo project, a CD entitled, "You Can Trust in God". At the onset of this project, there was no reason to believe that they could successfully fulfill this long-time goal, as there was much opposition that could have hindered its completion. Again, as a result of support that they received to complete it, many relationships, friendships, and partnerships were established. A key person who was instrumental in the initial process was Dr. Alisa R. Howze (-Diop, formerly Chapman), who, along with the Watkinses, also founded the group ministry, SOULS W�N MINISTRIES), a local favorite…..a multi-cultural, gospel singing group, which traveled as far away as Zurich, Switzerland, and frequented the tri-towns areas ministering the Word of God through song (and it did so for about 4 years).  

Since the evolution of SOULS W�N MINISTRIES, many more music ministry opportunities presented themselves, including the ministry’s' completion of a single CD project entitled, "Don't You Give Up." SOULS W�N MINISTRIES grew over the years to include a ten-piece band, and about six vocalists. It released its second CD project in late 2005 entitled, “Trouble Don’t Last Always”, a dedication to the hurricane victims. 

In 2005, SOULS W�N MINISTRIES evolved into an outreach ministry that concentrates especially on the youth of the local area, the “unchurched”, and other needs in the community. This endeavor was sealed on March 6 of that year when Kenny and Shannon were elevated to a new level, an inevitable event which had been previously God-ordained, and honored with confirmation from numerous pastors, ministers, and associates. After recognizing their call, and the life-changing ministry God had entrusted to them, and after much fasting, prayer, and confirmation of their own, two very special people, Bishop Henry and Prophetess Sybrina Hines (from Repairer of the Breach Ministries, Trenton N.J.) proudly presented the couple officially as the overseers/founders/pastors of the new, SOULS W�N MINISTRIES (complete with official pastoral ordination for Kenny and Shannon both), during a ceremony which was included as part of a special dedication service. It was a glorious occasion! To add to this great, new level in ministry, by the request of Pastor Michael, Jr., and Amanda Stottlemyer, of Message of Freedom Ministries in Grafton, W.V. (SOULS W�N OUTREACH MINISTRIES' ministerial covering), the couple was very blessed to have been ordained again by officials from the Anchor Bay Evangelistic Association (ABEA), Maryville, Il., on May 11, 2005.  This, too, was most glorious!

Shannon still enjoys ministering in song, for a variety of occasions and events, and can be called on to speak, as well, for women's conferences, and the like. Noteworthy occasions at which Shannon has been blessed to minister in song include opening up for CeCe Winans, Dorothy Norwood, and Inez Andrews, and along with SOULS W�N MINISTRIES, she opened up for Michael English, Pam Seaman, Min. Isaiah Thomas, and for Fox News anchor, Min. Kelly Wright, to name a few. 

In conclusion, Shannon is eager to be a blessing to all of God's people, in whatever way He sees fit. Besides pastoring with her husband, she still keeps in contact with her former families from when she was a  Family Advocate for HRDC’s Early Head Start Home-based Education program, providing family services, and teaching children ages birth-three (which she did for almost three and one-half years). Her current occupation is Resident Producer of Life, Accident, and Health Insurance for Monumental Life Insurance Company (serving MD, WV, and PA: www.monlife.com/ml). Shannon is also a proud Independent Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics (Star Recruiter: www.marykay.com/swatkins7373). She also enjoys assisting people with acquiring much-needed legal help as an Independent Associate for Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. (www.swatkins.buildlastingsuccess.com). She and Kenny have been married now for eleven years, and have also been pastoring for five.  (last updated: 01/10)

SOULS W�N MINISTRIES
CD Projects

 

"HIS PRESENCE...HIS PROMISE: SHANNON'S FAVORITES"
Call 301-707-0259 or 301-707-2944 for more information about the CD project, about ordering a demo, or about the ministry. Your continued support of our efforts is greatly appreciated! Blessings!

 

"Trouble Don't Last Always" "Trouble Don't Last Always" A special dedication to the hurricane victims

"You Can Trust In God"  CD  $12.00 Incl. shipping

Pastors Shannon and Kenneth Watkins

SOULS W�N MINISTRIES founded by Pastors Kenneth and Shannon Watkins 808 Piedmont Avenue Cumberland, Md. 21502 301-707-0259 kandswatkins@yahoo.com "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise." Proverbs 11:30

Recommended sites from SOULS W�N

Liz Blank
JesusSaves@atlanticbb.net
 www.angelwingsbabythings.com  
cloth diapers and supplies, reusable shopping bags, sock monkeys, travel toys,
custom bookmarks, baby carriers, & more!