Dr. Leon Washington
was born and raised in Valdosta, Georgia. He was called to proclaim the
Gospel in 1981 and was licensed on October 25, 1981 at Brays Temple
Missionary Baptist Church, by his father Reverend B.T. Washington. He
is married to Katherine Pierce Washington. In 1987, they were blessed
with a son, Jason Leon Washington. He joined Evergreen Missionary
Baptist Church in 1982; and was subsequently ordained a Minister of the
Gospel at Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church by Dr. Fred Williams on
November 25, 1983. He also served as Youth Pastor at Evergreen during
that two year period.
In 1983 he was called to his first pastorate, Genesis Missionary
Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, where he served until 1988. In
1988, he was called to pastor Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, and
he has been the pastor ever since. After his second year at Evergreen,
the Lord led him to go full-time with the Ministry; leaving behind a
civil service career of over 20 years. Pastor Washington was willing to
sacrifice the stability of a civil service career in order to be
obedient to the voice of God.
Dr. Leon Washington is a true man of God who is rooted and grounded
in the Word of God and is on “fire” for the Lord. Under his spiritual
leadership the Holy Spirit abounds; souls are being saved; and God’s
plan for a dying world is being implemented. His central objective is
“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the
edifying of the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12). The evidence of his
commitment is the establishment of long lasting ministries, e.g. Jail
Ministry, Prison Ministry, Evangelism Team, Intercessory Prayer Team,
Hospitality Committee, Women’s Ministry, Orientation Committee, Singles
Ministry, Senior Saints Ministry, Noon-Day Prayer, Meal Share Program,
Educational Scholarship Fund, Youth and Teen Ministries, Liturgical
Dance, A Servants Heart Ministry, Tutorial After school Ministry and
Summer Camp.
Dr. Washington has also worked diligently to improve Evergreen’s
financial ministry. He was able to retire the mortgage on Sanctuary
Number One, which now houses Precious Lambs Child Development Center.
He has inspired Evergreen’s members to invest in the creation of a
multi-million dollar campus which includes a new Sanctuary (worship
facility) dedicated in April 11, 1999; and the Family Life Center
(gymnasium, banquet facility, barber/beauty shop, bookstore, fitness
center, roller skating, full-basketball court recording studio, game
room and classrooms that was dedicated in November 2005.
He was also instrumental in bringing a satellite of Beacon
University (Beacon Institute of Ministry) to Evergreen in October 2005.
Beacon University of Columbus, GA gave each school the opportunity to
name their own school. Beacon Institute of Ministry was then renamed to
South East School of Theology in August 2007. He also arranged to
provide temporary housing for the Coastal Georgia Area Community Action
Authority Day Care and Head Start Programs. The church also supports
international ministry work.
Based upon a recommendation from Governor Sonny Purdue and State
Representative Cecily Hill, the State of Georgia recognized Pastor
Washington with a Proclamation for his outstanding work in the religious
and local community. In February 2006, he delivered the devotional
message before the start of the Georgia State Legislature Meeting; which
has been recorded in the Clerk of the House of Representatives,
Devotions and Prayers Booklet for the 2006 Regular Session. Evergreen
has hosted several national events, Coastal Celebration Crusade (2004);
and Celebrate Recovery Southern Region Conference (2004).
Lambda Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc selected Dr. Leon
Washington as the Citizen of the Year (2009). Brunswick Chapter of the
Links, Inc., honored Rev. Washington with their Men of Distinction Award
(2011). Evergreen was the assistant host church for the 49th Annual
Session of the Congress of Christian Education of General Missionary
Baptist Convention of GA, Inc. held from July 18-22, 2011.
Dr. Washington is a learned teacher who holds a Bachelors Degree in
Christian Education, a Masters Degree in Theology, a Doctorate of
Divinity and an Honorary Doctorate of Theology. He has also held the
following offices: President, Southern Christian Leadership Conference,
Jacksonville, Florida; Vice President, Zion Union, Kingsland, Georgia;
and President 11th District Convention of the General Missionary Baptist
Convention of Georgia, Inc. and President of the Beacon Institute Camden
Campus, South East Georgia School of Theology Camden Campus.