OUR LEADERS
Who We Are
BISHOP RICKEY T. WASHINGTON
Founder
Bishop Rickey T. Washington was a mighty man of valor. He is the man that God has set aside for the day and time to preach a relevant Word to all who seek God’s face. He was a “chosen vessel” of God.
He worked in the ministry for over 40 years. He committed his life to Christ at the age of 12 and later was baptized with water, the Holy Ghost and fire. With a heart of servitude, he possesses an impressive list of accomplishments as he committed himself to laboring for God through his local church. In his youth and young adult years, he was a leader in numerous capacities at Interdenominational Faith Assembly in Baton Rouge, LA.
Realizing the call on his life and his mission to preach the Gospel, he became a licensed and ordained minister by Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship. In 1999, he was licensed and ordained as the Pastor and Founder of Higher Ground Outreach Church (Baton Rouge, LA) under the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship and Bishop Paul S. Morton. He had the privilege of serving with his wife, Pastor Lesia Washington, as co-founder. Together they focused on building a generation of leaders, leading by example, and living by faith. As the visionary of Higher Ground, Bishop Washington set the foundation of excellence in ministry. Because of his vision and dedication to kingdom work, Higher Ground has a long history of saving souls, changing lives, developing leaders, restoring families, and serving the community. His legacy and ultimate vision for Higher Ground is Faith City, a 12-acre multi-use development that includes a worship facility, daycare, commercial retail space, an elderly facility, and a Christian performing arts school.
In addition to pastoring at Higher Ground, Bishop Washington he has traveled extensively throughout his ministerial career across the country and throughout the world building God’s kingdom and restoring lives. His clear, relevant, and powerful teachings of faith, tithing, and leadership have inspired thousands. In February 2006, he was consecrated as a Bishop to the World Assemblies Fellowship International under the leadership of Bishop M.B. Jefferson. As a Bishop and a Pastor’s Pastor, he was a constant support to hundreds of pastors and provided wisdom and spiritual guidance as they navigated the trials of being a kingdom builder and ambassador. In 2018, he received his Honor Doctorate from Midwest College of Theology.
PASTOR LESIA
WASHINGTON
Senior Pastor
Pastor Lesia Washington, Senior Pastor & Co-Founder of Higher Ground Outreach Church, is a licensed and ordained minister of the gospel in Louisiana. She has been ministering since she was in her teens. The youngest of eleven, at the age of 15 years old she heard an audible voice, charging her mission to preach and teach God’s word, and to bring understanding to it all.
A native of Baton Rouge, Lesia is well known in her community for her work at HGOC where she served with her husband, Bishop Rickey T. Washington Sr. for 22 years until his upgrade to his final home. From their 37-year marriage she mothered three wonderful children, Domonique S. Washington (36), Richelle N. Washington (32), and Rickey T. Washington II (30). She also has a beautiful daughter in law Selina Washington and five grandchildren,
Kameron (14), Kyleigh (6), Kamia (6), Yara (2) and Sola (3mos.).
Pastor Lesia is the author of three books, “What to do when you’ve been Hurt, “How to Become More Committed to the things of God, and her latest book, “We’re Fighters. She has served as Director of Christian Education for Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship Southeast Berith District, Choir President in her youth and aided in coordinating and organizing youth and church tours, to places like London, California, Georgia, and Texas.
Among the recognitions that have been bestowed upon her she has received she has been recognized with an award from Top Ladies of Distinction Nonpareil Chapter of Baton Rouge. She was a keynote speaker at the NOBEL (National Association of Black Elected Legislative) Women in 2011. Pastor Lesia is also a licensed Real Estate Broker in the state of Louisiana, obtained a certificate in Christian Counseling from AACC (American Association of Christian Counseling), a Diploma in Childcare with Honors from Ashworth College and PCI in 2002, and earned an honorary Doctorate from Midwest College of Theology.
PASTOR DOMONIQUE
WASHINGTON
Lead Pastor
"Lord, let my life speak highly of you even when I am quiet." - Pastor D
Domonique S Washington, Lead Pastor of Higher Ground Outreach Church, is the self-proclaimed "good girl" who is determined to bring good” back in style. Largely in part to her penning the increasingly popular book, "Lessons From A Good Girl" (her fourth book), her reputation does precede her. Pastor D, as she is affectionately known, has been wearing the good girl status like a badge of honor since she was a child, inspiring other young girls and women in her hometown. She's a preacher's kid two times over, serving under her dad and mom, The Late Bishop Rickey Washington and Pastor Lesia Washington at Higher Ground Outreach Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Passionate about young people and women alike, her position is a great fit for who she is as a person and is not just some duty taken on because of who her parents are or expect her to be. After all, Pastor D has known her calling and purpose since the age of ten. Not only does she diligently involve the youth at her home church, but she also works earnestly to promote the spiritual health of youth in the city of Baton Rouge through innovative and energetic youth rallies, lock-ins and other youth specific programming. Knowing that physical lack contributes to the spiritual battles our youth face, Domonique spearheads several successful community outreach events such as the Annual Easter Block Party, Back to School Rally, and Summer Bible Camp.
She is a preacher, a teacher, an author, and a host. As you can see, her passions and abilities run wide, but are all interchangeable and ultimate lead back to her purpose of reaching any and everyone she can to make a difference in their lives. She has authored several books including the YLEAD (Young Leaders Entering Awaited Destiny: Recognizing The Leader Within) Series, Lessons from A Good Girl, and the most recent title, Ever After Happily: Your Fairytale Starts and Ends with You.