Msgr. Raymond East, pastor of St. Teresa of Avila Parish in the historic Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C., has traveled the world preaching the Gospel. Marking his 40th anniversary as a priest, the nationally known evangelist and preacher says he is following in the footsteps of his ancestors.

The grandson and nephew of Baptist missionaries to South Africa, Msgr. East said, “I always wanted to be a priest. My grandparents were missionaries, so was my Aunt Gladys. Two generations gave their lives (to serve God), and I thought it was my turn.”

“In my parish – St. Rita’s in San Diego – it seemed like year after year we had seven or eight priests (from the parish),” he said. “We were in a parish that encouraged vocations. We had lay people and religious who were modeling what it was to be a good Christian.”

That zeal for the priesthood is one Msgr. East is quick to share with others.

“It’s kind of our responsibility as priests to get guys to follow us,” he said. “The fields are ready for harvest and Jesus said, ‘Call them out into the vineyard.’ That is what all of us have to do. The same Good Shepherd who called me is still calling others. Our call is to go forth and make disciples who will then go forth and make disciples.”

Born in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in Southern California, the future priest came to the Washington area to work for the National Association of Minority Contractors after earning a degree in business administration from the University of San Diego. Although he wanted to be a missionary in Africa, speaking with his pastor at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Washington, D.C. changed his mind.

That pastor was Msgr. Joaquin Bazan, a now retired priest of the Archdiocese of Washington who served as pastor of Sacred Heart from 1976 to 1984.

“Msgr. Bazan was really strong on vocations. He said every year you have to ask somebody to become a priest,” Msgr. East recalled. “He told me, ‘As much good as you can do in Africa, you can do in the United States.” He encouraged me to stick around, so I stuck around.”

After attending Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, then-Father East was ordained in 1981. He served as a parochial vicar at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart, St. Anthony Parish and Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian Parish, all in Washington.

In 1988, he was named pastor of St. Teresa of Avila Parish. He served there until his 1997 appointment as pastor of Nativity Parish in Washington. In 2002, he was named the Archdiocese of Washington’s vicar for evangelization and director of the Office of Black Catholics, a post he held until 2008. In 2004, while still serving as vicar for evangelization and director of the Office of Black Catholics, he was again named pastor of St. Teresa of Avila Parish, where he continues to serve.

Although he did not fulfill his dream of becoming a missionary in Africa, Msgr. East said “the Archdiocese of Washington is just one of the best places on the planet to be – it’s a great honor to be called (to the priesthood) here and to serve here.” However, while he has spent most of his ministry in the District of Columbia, the priest noted, “it did come full circle when I had the chance to go to South Africa.”

“On my bucket list was to visit the mission where my dad and aunt were born. I got a chance to preach in the mission where my grandfather ministered,” he said.

Msgr. East said he also had the chance to preach at Regina Mundi Church in Soweto. The largest Catholic Church in South Africa, the church was a gathering place for those who fought against South Africa’s repressive and segregationist apartheid form of government.

Outside of the Archdiocese of Washington, Msgr. East is a highly in-demand preacher at revivals and Black Catholic Congresses and other spiritual gatherings across the country and around the world.

“It is wonderful seeing the faithfulness of people in season and out, in good times and bad times,” he said. “I try to encounter Jesus every day and renew that encounter and share Jesus with others.”

Msgr. East said his favorite part of being a priest is “saying Mass and being a minister of the Body and Blood of Christ.”

“I love to gather the community around the Eucharist and feed the people with the Body and Blood of Christ and then send them forth,” he said. “I want to nourish them with the sacraments.”

 Over the years, Msgr. East has served as a chaplain to the Boy Scouts, to the former All Saints High School and to several councils of the Knights of Columbus. He has served on the Council of Priests, the Archdiocesan College of Consultors, and as dean of the Southeast Deanery.

“A lot of people think you work on Sunday, and then you’re off for the rest of the week,” Msgr. East said. “But you are always available for the Lord – every time the phone rings and someone is in need, I say, ‘Lord use me the way you want me to be used, put me where you want me to go.’”

As he looks back on his four decades as a priest, Msgr. East said “I am very happy. It’s one of those things where I wake up and pinch myself and thank God for this time of being a priest. It’s not always been easy – there are a lot of challenges and some pain and heartbreak – but I am grateful.”

And, to those considering a priestly vocation, Msgr. East said he would tell them, “Come on in, the water’s fine. Just go for it. God already has a call on your life. Don’t waste time. God won’t put you where He won’t keep you.”