» REV. B. J. WASHINGTON WASHINGTON ETHEL MRS. REONA LOUISE WASHINGTON MEMOIRS May Rev. B. J. Washington first entered the ministry October 24, 1942. Macethe by preach to license issued was he a, 16, 1943 at Altus, Oklahom Oursley, donia Baptist Church, where he was a member. The Rev. J. E. Baptist Central the by and Pastor. He was ordained May 24, 1944 at Church, The Denver, Colorado, Reverend M. K. Curry, Pastor. Pastorates lows: Served Church, of Reverend Benjamin Brackettville, Texas, 1943. June as fol- has been J. Washington as assistant pastor for seven months at the St. J ohn Baptist 13, 1944 he was called to the Sec- ond Baptist Church, Boulder, Colorado. During his four years at Boulder, Colorado, a sixteen thousand dollar church was built and paid for. And many members were added to the church. Called to the Second Baptist Church, Cheyenne, Wyoming, September 1, 1948. The Church in Cheyenne had been holding services in the basement for thirty years, but on September 4, 1949 the auditorium had been com- pleted and made ready for dedicatory services. While serving in Wyoming, Rev. Washington became the first Negro in the history of Wyoming to serve the State Legislature as chaplain. Called Church) to the Wall April 3, 1952. Avenue Baptist Church Seeing the need of a new New (Now church, Zion Baptist in February 1954, a lot was purchased and the present building was erected. The formal opening was held on Palm Sunday, March 25, 1956. In August 1950 Rev. Washington was elected President of the Western States Missionary Baptist Convention of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and | Idaho, serving three years. His personal prayer follows: “Oh God, Thou hast assigned to me a great me a better man to do a bigger job.”” AMEN. task. Make