Source: iOne
Dr. Donald J. Washington is the Senior Pastor of the Mount Hermon Baptist Church. He is a native of Columbus, Ohio and was educated in the Columbus public school system. Following graduation from Columbus East High School he entered the United Stated Army and graduated with honors as trainee of the cycle. After basic training, he entered into N.C.O.C.S. (Non-Commissioned Officers Candidate School) and graduated Top Ten in his class and was promoted to Sergeant E-5. After completion of Paratrooper training and Ranger School at Ft. Benning, Ga., he received his order for a tour of duty in the Republic of Viet Nam while serving as a forward observer, heavy weapons and demolition specialist with the Americal Division and the Eleventh Infantry Brigade. He received the Bronze Star (with a V device), Air Medal, and Purple Heart, and promoted to Staff Sergeant E-6 during his tour of duty in the Republic of Viet Nam. Upon his return to state side his orders sent him to the TULSA Drill Sergeant School at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and upon completion he was stationed at Fort Campbell Kentucky where he served as Drill Sergeant and Senior Training NCO until he was honorably discharged August 25, 1970.
Dr. Washington was called as Senior Pastor of Mt. Hermon in 1981; he entered the Ministry full time in 1983. Reverend Washington received his higher education from the Aenon Bible College (Dp., Thg), and Trinity Theological Seminary (B.R.E.), in Newburg, Indiana. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Bethany Theological Seminary in Dothan, Alabama.
Dr. Washington has served in many capacities over the years, namely; past Moderator of the Eastern Union Missionary Baptist Association, past President of the Ohio Baptist General Convention and Auxiliaries, Inc., which is comprised of 240 churches and 35,000 members, past Chairman of the Church Planting Commission of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., past Board Member of the Ohio Council of Churches and St. Stephens Community House and past President of The Columbus Baptist Pastors’ Conference. Member of the Baptist Ministerial Alliance of Columbus and Vicinity, member of NAACP, One Church, One Child Foundation and numerous other committees and councils. Dr. Washington chaired the Building Committee which was responsible for the erection of our current three 2.8 million dollar Worship Edifice and MBK/DJW Family Life Center.
Since his call, as Under-Shepherd of the Mount Hermon Baptist Church, Mount Hermon has grown spiritually as well as physically. His ministry began with one hundred eighteen (118) members. Today, the church has grown to more than 2,700 active members. Dr. Washington was adamant in housing a school in The MBK/DJW Family Life Center. Realizing his vision, we currently house The A+ Arts Academy, K-5 and Latchkey Program. Under his leadership we have the following active ministries, namely; Youth Ministry, Health Ministry, Housing Ministry, Singles Ministry, Music Ministry, Media Ministry, Publishing Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Cultural Arts and above all the teaching Ministry of the Word of God. Our MBK/DJW Family Life Center which houses an additional 14 classrooms, a full size gymnasium, multi-purpose Conference Room and an onsite state of the art Fitness Center.
On the twenty-third day of January in the year of our Lord, 2009, Dr. Washington was consecrated to an even higher calling in his ministry and was elevated to the Episcopal office of Bishop. Bishop D. James Washington serves as the Presiding Prelate of the Church Alive Ministries International, Incorporated. This fellowship endeavors to bring church life back to the local community as it maintains its trilogy of; Reaffirming the Leader, Restoring the Logos and Reaching the Lost for Jesus Christ.
Bishop Washington is the recipient of many community and civic organizational awards not limited to namely; “Legacy of the Black Preacher: The History of a People” (1992), A member of Oxford’s Who’s Who of the Elite Registry of Extraordinary Professionals (1992-1993), the Carter G. Woodson Award (1995), Doctor of Humane Letters, Eastern Union Bible College (2000) and Great Man of God Award of Jefferson Parish Council, State of Louisiana (2009) just to name a few.
He is married to Sis. Shirlean Washington and together, they have two wonderful talented children, Trina Danielle and Minister Donald J. (Arri) their daughter in love and are blessed with two beautiful granddaughters, Dominique and Amaya Washington.
