BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF
DR. GRACE C. WASHINGTON
Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:1, 14-15
A Zeal for the Great Commission
Anointed preacher, impactful teacher, spirit-filled psalmist and visionary leader are only a few adjectives that characterize the dynamic vessel of God who is known to many as Dr. Grace C. Washington. For more than 40 years, she has served the body of Christ and the community at large as a preacher of the Gospel. The year 2015 incredibly marked her 30th year of service as a senior pastor. Dr. Washington has been bountifully endowed with a light. “And my task,” she says, “is to let it shine in this world of darkness by preaching and teaching the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
A spirit-filled and committed woman of God, Dr. Washington has led many followers to the everlasting throne of grace and salvation through Christ Jesus. Her first pastoral achievement came in a main-line denominational church, serving for more than 11 years, reviving the failing church of 8 members to a strong congregation of over 500. Because of her dedication and steadfast commitment, Dr. Washington was ordained an Elder in June 1995.
As a dedicated shepherd, Dr. Washington stepped out on faith to obey the call of God to minister independently, subsequently initiating the birth of Love Life Christian Fellowship Church, which holds the theme, “Building a Community to Impact the World” close to its heart. In addition to her role as Love Life’s leader, Dr. Washington is also the organizer of Love Life Center, Inc., the church’s non-profit arm that extends its reach further into the community.
A Preacher Sent From God
Dr. Washington was born in West Palm Beach, Florida to the late John and Rutha Cartwright. Her five siblings, John Garfield, Cynthia, Sandra and Jimmy would all attest to the fact that even at a very early age, their youngest sister was a very caring, generous, loving and compassionate person. She could often be found sitting among older adults soaking up their elderly wisdom.
Widely known for her compelling preaching abilities, Dr. Washington has been tapped to serve as the keynote speaker for many distinguished occasions. One of the most notable was the Ecumenical Service for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.'s 66th Boule in 2014, wherein she addressed an audience of more than 10,000 people. In 2018, she was honored as "The Pastor of the Year" by the Leading Women's Repertory Theatre.
Dr. Washington is fortunate to have a loving family who is very supportive of her work in ministry. The devoted wife and mother has been married to her husband, Deacon Robert Washington, for 49 years. They are the proud parents of two daughters, Divika Washington-Hall and Angela (Darrell) Finney. They are also the proud grandparents of Travian Robert Hall, Jazmyn Myrtice Finney, Jordyn Denise Finney and Brandyn Joseph Hall.
One Who Has Studied to Show Herself Approved
Dr. Washington's higher educational studies began at the International Tabulating Institute in Washington D.C. After moving to Georgia, she attended DeKalb College and Georgia State University. She also attended Word of Faith Bible College and later received a Master of Divinity in Missiology and Evangelism from Gammon Theological Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC). She has travelled to China to study the Christian Church and has taken a pilgrimage tour of the Holy Land where she preached in Bethlehem. She also received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Newburgh Theological Seminary & College of the Bible in Newburgh, Indiana.
A Celebrated and Newsworthy Leader
The many paths that have been blazed by Dr. Washington have been newsworthy and celebratory. She made the front cover of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution two consecutive years and was featured as a woman in ministry by The Proclaimer. Love Life was spotlighted in the Overground Railroad's "Church Corner" profile section, and in June of 1995, the Flat Shoals United Methodist Church Family was declared Church of the Year in Augusta, GA. Dr. Washington's messages of inspiration have also been heard over the airwaves on WCLK Jazz 91.9 FM's Sunday Morning Praise and on Kiss 104.1 FM's Faith Break. Additionally, she has made appearances on Atlanta Interfaith Broadcast (AIB) and Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN).
Iron Sharpens Iron
Dr. Washington founded the Grace C. Washington Institute to teach, train and/or retrain persons in biblical, theological and ethical procedures and methods of Christian Education. The Institute, an entity of Love Life Center, Inc., also provides training for clergy and laypersons in leadership and evangelism. She teaches an extensive course designed for meeting the requirements for License and Ordination for Love Life Christian Fellowship Elders and Ministers. Further, Dr. Washington has conducted seminars in various states and has led crusades in the Virgin Islands. On a trip to Soweto, South Africa in February 2006, Dr. Washington happily served as God's missionary by distributing personal items and toys to the residents. And, in 2014, Dr. Washington led a group of 11 missionaries on a trip to Ghana, West Africa wherein she preached a revival, led a Pastor's Conference, visited orphanages and provided medial supplies.
Because of her expertise in the area of ministry, Dr. Washington was selected to serve as a mentor in The Faith Journey: Partnership in Parish Ministry Formation. This program's partners are the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta University Center faculty, Youth Hope Builders Academy, local congregations, denominations, judicatories and selected agencies. It was founded to foster the vision of congregational ministry of youth and adults of African descent and their movement toward ministry preparation and vocation. Her sermon, "The Dawning of a New Day," which was preached in honor of President Barack Obama's inauguration, was selected for inclusion in the American Folklife Center's Inauguration 2009 Sermons and Orations Project. In 2016, she received the distinct honor of being inducted into the Board of Preachers of The Martin Luther King, Jr. International College of Ministers an Laity at Morehouse College.
Dr. Washington's experiences include Evangelism, Mission, Christian Counseling, Children's Ministry, and Human Services. She extends a broad outreach in teaching Women's Ministries and Marriage Ministries. She is author of three books relating to marriage: "Conquering the Giants of Discontentment in Marriage with 5 Smooth Stones," "Oil for a Squeaky Marriage," and "10 Building Blocks for Marriage." Because she is an avid believer in the power of prayer, she organized the Wednesday morning "Miraculous Power of Prayer" line. This prayer line has callers from across the nation interceding for one another.
Dr. Washington has served as a member of the Advisory Council on Mental Health and Substance Abuse for DeKalb County Board of Health, as well as in several civic auxiliaries. Additionally, Dr. Washington is a supporter of the DeKalb County Police Alliance, and she offered her support to the art of theatrics by serving as Co-Executive Producer of the stage play, "The Amen Corner." Dr. Washington also served as Chaplain for Central State Prison's Department of Corrections, and she launched two community-based initiatives: Witnessing in Neighborhoods (WIN) and Rebirthing United Neighborhoods (RUN). She is currently a member of the United Minsters Alliance of Atlanta.
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