Leadership

Dr. Duane McKinney’s unique style of preaching and teaching is thought provoking, emotion stirring and life changing.  He received a BS from Howard University and his podiatric medical degree from Temple University. He was ordained in ministry soon after graduating from podiatry school and has been focused on serving God through preaching and teaching ever since the day he accepted his call to ministry.  As the senior pastor of Encounter Life Church, his passion is to reach the lost with the truth of the Gospel and to challenge Christians to go hard for God. He is married to his high school sweetheart Traci and they have 3 amazing children.

Dr. A. Lorenzo McKinney 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. The Bible Study became The Washington Christian Center, which is now Encounter Life Church.