About Us
Our Mission
The mission of the Midtown Church of Christ – Florida is the same mission Jesus gave his followers: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Our Vision
The vision of Midtown Church of Christ – Florida is to create a community of authentic believers and to witness a city transformed by the life changing reality of the gospel, as people come to know Jesus as their lord and savior.
Meet Our Minister
“We are triune beings: a soul with a spirit and a body. It is my hope that my talents and spiritual gifts can be of assistance to you in your life journey in either of these capacities.”
Dz Washington, Minister
DR. DZIE (DZ) WASHINGTON has been the Senior Minister at the Church of Christ of Midtown in Orlando, Florida since August of 2010. Brother Washington received his call to ministry while serving under the tutelage of Wesley T. Leonard at the Southside Church of Christ also in Orlando, Florida. During his 11-year tenure at Southside, he held the offices of Deacon and Assistant Minister.
Dr. Washington is happily married to the former Ayana Benton. They have been blessed with two sons, Adonte and Joshua. He is a devoted husband and passionate about his children and extended family.
Among his many accomplishments, Brother Washington earned his Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. He later received a Master’s in Business Administration from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. After receiving his calling, with the help of God, Dr. Washington obtained a master’s degree in Ministry from Harding University’s Center for Advanced Ministry Training.
Secularly, Dr. Washington was an operations executive in the pharmaceutical industry, specializing in biologics and complex disease for over 25 years. He is an accomplished speaker focusing on holistic Christian health and motivation. By the grace of God Dr. Washington was able to close the bi-vocational chapter of his life in December of 2025. He is now fully committed to his first love and cherishing every moment of it.
Dr. Washington is happily married to the former Ayana Benton. They have been blessed with two sons, Adonte and Joshua. He is a devoted husband and passionate about his children and extended family.
Among his many accomplishments, Brother Washington earned his Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. He later received a Master’s in Business Administration from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. After receiving his calling, with the help of God, Dr. Washington obtained a master’s degree in Ministry from Harding University’s Center for Advanced Ministry Training.
Secularly, Dr. Washington serves as an executive in the pharmaceutical industry. He is licensed to practice pharmacy in several states. He is an accomplished speaker specializing in holistic Christian health and motivation. Being dually employed offers little opportunity for recreation. However, whenever the opportunity presents itself or he can sneak away, Dr. Washington enjoys fishing, photography and professional sports. He prides himself in being a fisherman and a fisher of men. (Matthew 4: 19)
Dr. Washington’s long-term goal is to retire from pharmacy and become a full-time minister. Your prayers are coveted in this regard.
Meet Our Elders
Richard Gipson, Elder
RICHARD GIPSON, JR. has been an active member of the Church of Christ of Midtown in Orlando Florida since 2015. Brother Gipson was added to the Body of Christ while worshipping at the Southside Church of Christ in Orlando. He has served as Treasurer at the Church of Christ of Midtown and has overseen the AV ministry since 2020.
Brother Gipson is happily married to Dr. Carmine Gipson. They have been blessed with a daughter and son, Daria and Myles. One of the things he’s enjoyed about parenting is watching his kids constantly evolve into young adults.
Born and raised in Mississippi, Brother Gipson has lived in Orlando since 1999. Among his academic accomplishments, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Washington University in St. Louis. He later received a Master’s in Business Administration from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College (yes, he graduated at the same ceremony as Brother Washington).
Secularly, Brother Gipson serves as a Talent Strategy Manager in the nuclear energy industry. He is an avid reader and writer, follows politics closely, and enjoys cheering for the Dallas Cowboys.
Brother Gipson’s long-term goal is to publish a romance novel and live a life where we aren’t afraid to confront our fears and truly put our faith into God.
Michael Taylor, Elder
BROTHER (DR.) MICHAEL TAYLOR has been a member of the Midtown Church of Christ family in Orlando, Florida, since Fall of 2022. Prior to coming to Midtown, Brother Taylor served as both a teacher and the Superintendent of Instruction for the Shannon Church of Christ in Union City, Georgia, for 16 years. He came to the Shannon congregation by way of the North Las Vegas Church of Christ, where he served for eight years and taught both the teenage and adult classes.
Brother Taylor is married to the former Jestine Shell, and they have three adult children: LaShonda, Clifford, and Marshand. They also have three grandchildren: Taylan, Keaton, and Scarlett, with whom they thoroughly enjoy spending time and traveling.
Through many years of study, Brother Taylor earned his doctorate degree in Education Leadership from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Prior to doing so, he also earned a Master of Science degree from (USAF) Air War College in Strategic Studies, a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Teacher Education from the University of Phoenix, and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Central Missouri State University.
In addition to his religious and educational pursuits, Brother Taylor rose to, and retired at, the rank of Colonel in the United States Air Force after 30 years of service. He also served students in three states and Washington D.C. as a teacher and school administrator, before retiring from Atlanta Public Schools in 2021.
When time permits, Brother Taylor also does volunteer work with his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, as a member of the chapter’s education board. He manages an after-school STEM program for them in an Orlando community. However, to relax, he enjoys watching good movies or cruising with his wife.