JURISDICTIONAL PRELATE

Bishop Fred Willis Washington

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A native of Fairbanks, Louisiana; born March 19, 1943. His parents were Deacon D. C. Washington and Evangelist Freddie Mae Washington; Graduated as salutatorian of his high school class; furthered his education by matriculation at Southern University (Louisiana) and the University of Minnesota; also took classes through the Charles Harrison Mason Theological Seminary and the LaSalle Extension University Law Program. He completed the Leadership Institute for Ministry Excellence Program at Saint Thomas University.

He grew up in the church and was saved at the age of 11; Anointed to preach in 1961 at the age of 18, served as Junior Pastor of Powell Avenue Church of God in Christ at age 19, and received Minister’s license in August 1964 in Louisiana under the late Bishop J. W. White; Received his ordination in the Gospel Ministry in 1970 in the Minnesota Jurisdiction, Church of God in Christ under the late Bishop Wm. B. Williams 

Related to the Late Bishop F. D. Washington and the Late State Mother Maydie Payton.

Secular career includes pharmaceutical manufacturing at the University of Minnesota Hospitals for more than 26 years, and real estate sales for more than 20 years. Served three years of active duty in the U. S. Army (1965–1968), including a year in Vietnam (1966) with a “Top Secret” clearance; received many awards and decorations, including the Army Commendation Medal and was honorably discharged in 1968. 

Family ↓

Married the former Miss Barbara Jean Cotton of Minneapolis on April 20, 1968; she had a rich Church of God in Christ history: her grandfather was the Late Overseer A. W. Wilson of Minnesota, and she descends from the Late Mother Lizzie Roberson, first National Mother of the Church of God in Christ.

They are parents of three sons and two daughters: Debra Kaye, Bruce Alan, Kevin Charles, Monica Reneé, and Damon Fredrick. They have 15 grandchildren.

Church and Ministry ↓

Present

  • Jurisdictional Bishop of Minnesota Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Church of God in Christ
  • Member of the National Church of God in Christ General Assembly’s Investigation Council

Past

  • Served 49 years as Senior Pastor of New Covenant Church of God in Christ
  • Served 21 years as Administrative Assistant to the Bishop S. N. Frazier, including approximately 11 years as the 1st Administrative Assistant, Minnesota
  • Personal secretary to the Bishop Wm. B. Williams, Minnesota
  • State Chairman of Minnesota Jurisdiction for 33 years
  • District Superintendent for 19 years
  • Jurisdictional Secretary and Jurisdictional Financial Secretary, Minnesota
  • Jurisdictional President of Department of Evangelism, Minnesota
  • Treasurer/Comptroller, Instructor, and Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota C. H. Mason Bible College
  • State Registrar of Youth Congress, Western Louisiana Jurisdiction;
  • Columnist for the “Evangelist Speaks” and “Whole Truth” national church papers
  • Founder and National Director of the COGIC Pen Pal Club;
  • Representative for the COGIC Hospital Fund,
  • Coordinator for Theological Studies for Minnesota Jurisdiction
  • Radio Broadcasts for several years on KUXL Radio Station
  • Pastor of Power House Church of God in Christ, Monroe, Louisiana for 8 years, under the auspices of Bishop Roy L. H. Winbush;
  • Pastor of First Church of God in Christ in Minneapolis
  • Pastor of New Beginnings Church of God in Christ, St. Paul
  • Pastor of Saint Matthew’s Church of God in Christ, St. Paul
  • Pastor of Greater St. Paul Church of God in Christ, Minneapolis
  • Pastor of Emmanuel Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, Minneapolis

Honors and Awards↓

  • A proclamation of “Fred W. Washington Day in Minnesota” by Governor Rudy Perpich for religious and community services
  • Awards and letters of commendations from Mayors of Minneapolis and Monroe
  • Inclusion in the "Marquis Who's Who in Religion” in recognition for his contributions to and achievements in religion
  • A biographical novel, “God’s New Covenant: The Man and the Mission”, chronicling his life was written and published by Dr. Author O. Wright in 2003.
  • A proclamation of “Fred W. Washington Day in Minnesota” by Governor Mark Dayton for religious and community services

Community Service↓

Present

  • Serves on the Board of Regents of the North Central University
  • Serves on Board of Directors of the Minnesota Council of Churches
  • Serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches
  • Serves on the Policy Board of His Works United, a collaboration of the Church of God in Christ, PAW, Baptist, AME

Past

  • Served for 15 years as a Volunteer to the Hennepin County Adult Correction Center
  • Served as President, Vice-President, Secretary, Member of the Executive Committee, and Member of the Social Justice Committee of the Minnesota Council of Churches
  • Volunteer for the March of Dimes
  • Member of the Ministerial Alliances of Minneapolis
  • Member of the NAACP
  • Member of Junior Chamber of Commerce
  • Member of the Black Interdenominational Ministerial Alliances of Minneapolis