Our Pastor
Rev. James a Washington, JR.
"The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task." - 1 Timothy 3:1
Church leadership is the process of guiding and directing a congregation towards a shared goal or vision. It involves leading and inspiring others to follow Christ and to live a life of faith.
Pastor James was elected as Senior Pastor of St. Peter M.B. Church in May 2023 after the passing of his father, James A. Washington, Sr. who had previously served as pastor of St. Peter for over 53 years.
Through the marriage of his parents, James, Sr. and Veola Washington, he is the oldest of 3 children. His connection with the Shady Oak community spans back to his paternal and maternal grandparents living in the area. Pastor James grew up at St. Peter and was converted as a young boy at the age of nine.
He is a product of Jackson Public Schools attending GN Smith Elementary, Brinkley Middle School and finally graduating from Callaway High School. Upon graduation, he worked and attended college, graduating from Hinds Community College and Tougaloo College. While in college, he became more active with youth in the community, volunteering with Young Life and Camp Pioneer Ministries. He began working with young people from all over Jackson, mentoring, tutoring chaperoning, and counseling for numerous events. His service with Eddie Spencer and Young Life gave him the opportunity to work with youth from all local high schools. Additionally, his volunteer work at Camp Pioneer led him to co-found the Christian rap ministry, “Show and Tell”.
It was during this time, James felt the call to ministry. In 1992 he accompanied Eddie Spencer to First Presbyterian Church in Macon, Georgia for a week of youth ministry. After sharing Christ that week, he surrendered to his call shortly thereafter. He was licensed and began working alongside several other young ministers at St Peter. He was invited to speak one night at a youth revival for Pastor Edgar Callaway, and the members of Pleasant Gift Baptist Church. After that week, he was asked to join their staff as Youth Pastor. For about a year and a half he served in that capacity and after he was appointed as Assistant Pastor. Concurrently working with both youth groups, Pleasant Gift and St. Peter he often shuttled young people from Pleasant Gift to participate with St. Peter’s weekly youth meeting, “CLUB”.
After college, as well as serving as Youth Pastor of PG he gained employment as Business Manager for St. Peter Christian Academy and Daycare. It was during this season of life, he met the love of his life, Monica.
After almost 5 years with Pleasant Gift, he was called to pastor, Brown Hill Baptist Church of Florence, Mississippi, where he has served for the past 26 years. During this time, he continued his education at Liberty University where he received a Master’s degree in Theology.
Since May 2023, he has been privileged to pastor St. Peter MB Church of Jackson, Mississippi. Following the providence of God and now with a wealth of ministry experience, he has been called back to Pastor those who knew him best. He returns to his childhood home with his wife, Monica and their three children, Chelsee, Lindsee, and James Autrey.
He cherishes the opportunity to serve three generations of the people he has known all his life.
