Faithful and True: “I Surrender!”

Elder George Washington describes himself as “a man of few words.” His wife of more than 20 years, Sister Theadora Washington agrees, but laughs and says, “that is unless he’s talking about the scriptures, Apostle Patterson or the goodness of the Lord.”

Elder Washington’s journey started out years ago with Bishop Faithful in Pottstown near where he and Sister Washington live. He had become the assistant Pastor there and was next in line to become the Bishop if anything happened to Bishop Faithful. Little did Elder Washington know how much his life would change when another Elder in the assembly, Elder Johnson, asked him one day had he [Elder Washington] ever heard of a man named Bishop Anthonee Patterson and that he had invited Bishop Patterson to their assembly to speak. “Apostle Patterson visited us about three times. I was intrigued because I saw that he was a man of vision and that he was going to go places. I remember one time when Apostle Patterson explained something and Faithful didn’t understand. When Faithful mentioned that Apostle Peter was a devil, I asked Faithful if he knew what he was saying.” “I was interested in being with Apostle Patterson at that time and then one night when he [Apostle Patterson] was there, I just surrendered to the word and I haven’t looked back since.”

The Elder is thankful and feels blessed to be under Apostle Patterson and says that his knowledge of the scriptures has increased. “I have more faith, and I’m trusting and believing God can do all things and that there is nothing too hard for God.” That strong faith, belief and continual prayer is what brought his wife to walk with him. “I saw a lot of change in my husband during the time he started walking with the Apostle. I also noticed he went out of his way to show other people what Apostle Patterson is preaching to him.” Sister Washington noticed that Apostle Patterson played an important part in her husband’s life but was still hesitant to come to Church with him. Now she says she is proud and thankful that they are serving God together.

One final thought from this Elder of few words, “Before, I would have been quick to condemn someone, but I am away from all that now. I see God in the saints, and I see the Lord working in each of you—I’m just glad to be here and glad to be serving the true and living God.”