Bishop James Washington

Dr. James Washington, Jr., has served as the Senior Pastor of New Grove Baptist Church (www.newgrove.org) in Winterville, Georgia since 1980. He’s the son of Mr. & Mrs. James and Bertha Washington, Sr., a Presiding Bishop in the Alpha & Omega Church Ministries International, Inc., and married to the former Sharon Devoe of Miami Florida. They are the parents of one son, three daughters and two grand.

Dr. Washington is a 1968 graduate of Jerkins High School and received degrees and credits from the following institutions:

The University of Georgia – Doctor of Education
The University of Louisville – Post-graduate work in Educational Administration
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary – Masters of Religious Education
Florida A & M University – Bachelors of Science in Mathematics

Led by the Holy Spirit, the historical family of New Grove Baptist Church (founded in 1871) moved from a once a month worship service to 8:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. each Sunday worship under the leadership of Dr. Washington. Continuing to be guided by the hands of the Master, the church family erected a new sanctuary in 1986 followed by an educational / fellowship building in 1992. These buildings are equipped with computerized office procedures and labs, commercial kitchen and library. Numerous ministries have been implemented. Service provided to the community through divine guidance of the Heavenly Father include Academic Enhancement services for children, youth and adults with computer application; computer training and donations to address the digital divide in the community; Family Care assistance provided to support individuals and families facing difficult times; assistance to the homeless shelter, local nursing homes and public schools.

Having returned from Kenya East Africa, where he assisted the people of Naromoru construct a church building made of stone and conducted teacher training workshops in Ngurumo, Karatina, and Nairobi, Dr. Washington continues to enhance the Kenya mission by providing instructional materials, finances, and programs to enhance the Kenyan people. Additionally, New Grove Baptist Church under Dr. Washington’s guidance provides support to numerous college students from the congregation and has developed a scholarship endowment fund for future generations of New Grove.

In the academic area, Dr. Washington formerly served as a public service associate at the University of Georgia (1991 – 2004) designing assessment instruments, standardized exam items and implementing pre-collegiate programs. From 1985 – 1990, Dr. Washington served as dean of freshman studies and associate professor in education at South Carolina State University (SCSU), teaching education courses, writing grants and developing new courses and programs. While serving as dean for SCSU, Dr. Washington was a consultant for Educational Testing Services (ETS) and the Southern Regional Educational Board (SREB) working with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to enhance their educational programs.

In 1987, Dr. Washington was inducted into the Gallery of Distinction at Florida A & M University – College of Arts and Sciences. Recognized for community service and leadership in Northeast Georgia, Dr. Washington received the Northeast Georgia Human Relations Award and the Benjamin L. Hook Leadership Award. Other awards and recognitions have come from Universities, National Organizations, State and Local governments in Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, New York, and South Carolina. Dr. Washington serves on several boards including the Citizens Educational Fund; Peachtree Project for Rainbow/Push; Northeast Georgia Cancer Coalition; the School of Social Work (University of Georgia) Board of Visitors; Executive Director of the NGBC Educational and Community Services, Inc.; and Site Leader for the Partners for Prosperous Athens – Jobs for Life Project.