Finally, he came to the breaking point outside that abandoned shack. He wanted to kill himself, but those two Nigerian men pointed to true life.
“I called them my Peter and John in the book of Acts at the gate called beautiful.” Washington said, referring to the passage in Acts 3. “That day they invited me to a church meeting in their house.” At the small service, the preacher explained the gospel. At the end of the service, Washington prayed to receive Christ.
Though he still struggled with his addictions, the desires gradually fizzled. Several weeks later, Washington walked away from his old way of life and has been clean to this day.
He returned to Michigan and began to attend church regularly. there, he received his calling to ministry. Washington could barely re-adapt the time, but six months later, with the encouragement of his pastor, Washington had earned his high school equivalency and had begun to preach. His pastor also encouraged him to further his education at Boyce College.
The 37-year- old Washington graduated in May 2000 with an Associates degree in Biblical Studies, then obtained his B.S. degree in pastoral counseling, then continued his education at Southern Baptist the Theological Seminary, obtaining a Masters in Theology. Washington attributes these achievements to God, but he dedicates the degree to his mother who prayed constantly for him.
“Some pastors I know say, ‘Well, it’s only an A.A.,” Washington said. “They don’t understand my history and what this would do for a woman whose sisters and brothers said, ‘your kid’s aren’t nothing.'” Washington currently uses his experience to minister to others. He leads youth ministries, helps with homeless shelters and boys’ homes, teaches on drug addiction and preaches across the state.