Pastor James Washington’s Wedding Story

The gift of marriage was witnessed by several members of Living Hope Church as Pastor James Washington III and Patricia Adams exchanged wedding vows on Friday, November 26, 2010, with Pastor Sam Hamstra officiating. This past Friday, December 17, Pastor Washington flew down to Atlanta to finish the relocation process for his wife and her two daughters, Simone (10) and Gabrielle (6), whom he will be adopting.

The ceremony and reception took place at Lincolnshire Country Club in Crete, Illinois, with guests enjoying light hors d'oeuvres (given it was the day after Thanksgiving) of crab-stuffed mushrooms, teriyaki beef, Swedish meatballs, cheese and crackers as well as a champagne toast and non-alcoholic punch.

In addition to Pastor Hamstra officiating the wedding, Dan Lugo sang "Amazed," while Mason O'Neal (son of Gino and Tabrasia) served as ring bearer. The wedding colors were black, white and platinum—as Pastor Washington described it, "basic, classic colors and a traditional wedding look reminiscent of mature adults getting married." The bridal bouquet and groomsmen boutonnieres were made of red roses.

Pastor Washington and Pat were high school sweethearts, and one another's first boyfriend/girlfriend. Pat, a varsity cheerleader, was the stand-up comic who loved to have fun and wore her feelings on her sleeve, said Pastor Washington, while he played football and served as president of his class, yet was an incredibly serious teenager. He did add, however, that he used to write her poetry, showing that softer side.

"When we began talking seven months ago, it truly felt like we had never been separated," said Pastor Washington. "Yet, I still didn't have any expectations that we'd get married. ... We are really excited about our new life together and so grateful that we reconnected after all of these years."

Pastor Washington, the Chief Professional Officer for South-Southwest Suburban United Way, serves Living Hope as its Executive Pastor, assisting Pastor Hamstra and the Living Hope Board of Directors in the area of budgeting, marketing and strategic planning. He has a son, James IV, and a daughter, Amber, from a previous marriage.

Both Pastor Washington and Pat want to give thanks to the Living Hope community for their prayers, participation and gifts. For a photo gallery of the wedding and ceremony, click here.