Bishop Fred W. Washington is a native of Louisiana. He graduated as salutatorian of his high school class in 1960. He furthered his education by matriculation at Southern University (Louisiana) and the University of Minnesota. He also took classes through the Charles Harrison Mason Theological Seminary and the LaSalle Extension University Law Program. His secular career includes pharmaceutical manufacturing at the University of Minnesota Hospitals for more than 26 years, and real estate sales for more than 20 years, and customer accounting. He served three years of active duty in the U. S. Army (1965–1968), including a year in Vietnam (1966) with a “Top Secret” clearance. He received many awards and decorations, including the Army Commendation Medal, and he was honorably discharged in 1968.

He has been married to the former Miss Barbara Jean Cotton of Minneapolis since April 20, 1968. His wife has a rich Church of God in Christ history, in that she descends from the Late Mother Lizzie Roberson, first National Mother of the church; and her grandfather was the Late Overseer A. W. Wilson of Minnesota. They are parents of three sons and two daughters: Debra Kaye, Bruce Alan, Kevin Charles, Monica Renee`, and Damon Fredrick. They have 10 grandchildren.

His Community Participation includes serving as a member of Board of Regents of the North Central University in Minneapolis; Board of Directors of the Minnesota Council of Churches; and Board of Directors of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. He has serve on the Social Justice Committee of the Council of Churches; the Minneapolis Ministerial and the Black Interdenominational Ministerial Alliances of Minneapolis; Volunteer to the Hennepin County Adult Correction Facility; Volunteer for the March of Dimes; participated in other civic and charitable organizations and events.

Some of Bishop Washington’s honors include being honored with a proclamation of “Fred W. Washington Day in Minnesota” by Governor Rudy Perpich for religious and community services; awards and letters of commendations from Minneapolis Mayors Donald Fraser and Sharon Sayles-Belton; included in the "Marquis Who's Who in Religion” in recognition for his contributions to and achievements in religion. A biographical novel, “God’s New Covenant: The Man and the Mission”, chronicling Bishop Washington’s life was written and published by Dr. Author O. Wright in 2003.

He grew up in the church and was saved at the age of 11. He was anointed to preach in 1961 at the age of 18, and received his Minister’s license in August 1964 in Louisiana under the late Bishop J. W. White. He received his ordination in the Gospel Ministry in 1970 in the Minnesota Jurisdiction, Church of God in Christ under the late Bishop Wm. B. Williams. He founded the New Covenant Church of God in Christ in Minneapolis in 1972 and continues to serve as its pastor.

Bishop Washington’s service to the church is varied and comprehensive. He served as administrative assistant to the late Bishop S. N. Frazier for 21 years including approximately 10 years as the 1st Administrative Assistant; State Chairman of the Minnesota Jurisdiction for 30 years; Superintendent of J. W. Graham/Wm. B. Williams Metropolitan District for 19 years; other positions include Chairman of the Board of Directors, A. W. Wilson Bible Institute; Chairman of Board of Superintendents, State Secretary, State Financial Secretary, State President of Evangelism, Coordinator for Theological Studies, Representative for the COGIC Hospital Fund, Secretary to Bishop W. B. Williams, Treasurer/Comptroller, Instructor, and Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota C. H. Mason Bible College; all in the Minnesota Jurisdiction; Founder and National Director of the COGIC Pen Pal Club; Columnist for the “Evangelist Speaks” national church paper, and Pastor for 8 years of Power House Church of God in Christ, Monroe, Louisiana.

He was designated as Bishop-Designee by Presiding Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson on August 11, 2006 and consecrated to the sacred office of Jurisdictional Bishop for the Church of God in Christ, Minnesota Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction on November 13, 2006. The General Assembly ratified his consecrated on the same date.