Pastor A. Lorenzo McKinney (affectionately called Pastor Mac) accepted the call to ministry in 1973 after a crisis in his life in which his wife became seriously ill after the birth of their daughter, Anika . During this time of crisis they both were drawn closer to the Lord and committed themselves to serving Him. God miraculously restored her to health after going through some very difficult surgery. They began a Bible Study in their home where they invited neighbors and family members to join them in their study of God’s Word. The study grew over the next year and many people came to faith in Jesus Christ and God led them to plant a Church in 1975. That Bible study grew to become The Washington Christian Center. After over 40 years of pastoring, Pastor Mac retired from ministry and his son was voted in to be the pastor. Pastor Duane McKinney is now the head pastor of what is now called Encounter Life Church.