Wunderkind and Henderson native has a calling

Jul. 26—HENDERSON — Jayden Watkins, a 15-year-old lay-preacher and motivational speaker, provided some inspiring words and gifts for a group of local kids in Vance County Schools' English as a Second Language Program on July 18.

"I wanted to go there to encourage them to believe in themselves, use their talents, their gifts. For example, yours is writing," Watkins said, referring to this reporter, "mine is preaching, podcasting, directing, plays, I'm also an author. So, I wanted to go there and encourage through that motivational presentation."

Worksheets asked the kids to list their talents, whether they've used them, and finally, how they plan on using them to make the world a better place.

"These are Spanish speakers, but they are trying their best to learn English," said Watkins. "They are trying their best to adapt to a new environment. And, I feel like they are overlooked sometimes... because people have these stereotypes about people who don't have English as their first language."

Although some may underperform academically, said Watkins, "they have so much potential."

"So, I wanted to just go there and encourage them and show them, you matter," he said. "That was my whole thing I wanted them to take away. To believe in yourself, that whatever dream you have, whatever vision you have, you can turn it into a reality. We are all unique."

Part of the presentation included a bilingual call and response.

"This is what the lord laid on my heart," said Watkins. "They will say, you are loved, you have the potential to be successful and you matter. That was their main thing that I wanted them to take away as well."

The veritable wunderkind also gifted each student with a bag filled with motivational presents, like bracelets that read, in Spanish, "you can do it" or "believe in yourself." They also received copies of Watkins' book, "Higher Heights, The Past is Behind Me and the Future is Before Me."

He also paid for pizza and chips out of his own pocket. Again, Watkins is 15 years old. Despite this, he has a published book, a podcast and a career as a motivational speaker. He is also a lay-preacher, having not been ordained and not holding a theological degree, but hopes to become a full-fledged preacher one day.

"I started preaching when I was 9 years old," said Watkins, "I feel like I have been called by Jesus to proclaim the good news. Some people say, 'how can a 15-year-old know they have been called?' It's just something that, when you know, that you know that you know. And, when there is a greater power and work inside of me, telling me."

He has known that he'd be a preacher for some time, said Watkins.

"Higher Heights" began as a series of encouraging notes to himself, until he thought they could encourage somebody else. Watkins wrote the book at 11 and by the time he was 13, it saw print.

He has also been on the "Preferable Podcast" for approximately three years, featuring guests like actress Veronica Mitchell. The podcast started back during the COVID-19 Pandemic, which Watkins was surprised to learn it might have been the best time to do so.

"It had to be Jesus," said Watkins, "showing me the way, telling me what I need to do."

"Preferable Podcast" keeps with Watkins' theme — meant to encourage people to to use their talents and gifts to "maximize their potential." After doing so, hopefully, they would "build beloved communities."

A perfect world may not be possible, but it's still worth pursuing, said Watkins.

"I feel like I have been called to be a beacon of light for my community," said Watkins.

Besides all of that, Watkins is a playwright, he said, being involved in the stage play "Residue of Unforgiveness," which details the life of one Deborah Durham, who also helped Watkins publish his book.

Watkins doesn't have much time to rest.

"I try to just sit down and watch a movie," he said, "I don't get through it, because I feel like a higher power is waiting on me. I feel like there is so much to be done, so I do sit down and have those moments of, Jesus, what is my next direction?"

Watkins recalled talking with an elderly woman at Perry Memorial Library, who said she had trouble sleeping at night, unless she tuned in to "Preferable Podcast."

"When I hear things like that, of people telling me I helped them get through depression, listening to my podcast helped them..." He also recalled one of the kids at last Tuesday's event beaming upon receiving his gift bag. "... Just to see a smile on their face, it tells me I need to continue to do things like this."

Those moments give him hope. Henderson-born and raised, Watkins reached out to the Dispatch for this story.

"I wanted it in the newspaper because I want people to know that we have to give back to our community in a good and kind way," he said. I may only be 15 years old, but I see the different things that are going on. If we take the time to come together as one, and be united, we can start breaking chains for change."

The news often highlights Henderson's negatives — crime, shootings and so on, said Watkins.

"I understand that we have to get the word out about what happened, what dangerous events happen around our city," he said. "But I want Henderson be more than just a low-income community. Henderson is more than just another high-crime rate community. Henderson is a community with so many individuals with so many talents and gifts; and if they would only have the encouragement that I try and that I believe I gave to the kids, I feel like we will be in such a better condition."