Rev. Dr. Frederick Douglass Haynes III, is a prophetic pastor, passionate leader, social activist, eloquent orator, and educator engaged in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, and fighting against racial injustice. Dr. Haynes is also committed to economic justice and empowerment in under-served communities and touching and transforming the lives of the disenfranchised. For the past 35 years, Dr. Haynes has served as a visionary and innovative senior pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. Under his servant leadership, the ministry and membership of the church has grown from less than 100 members in 1983 to over 12,000.
After experiencing racism in the segregated south Dr. Haynes' father decided it was best to move his family to San Francisco where his father, Dr. Frederick D. Haynes Sr., pastored the historic Third Baptist Church. At the age of 14, Dr. Haynes' life took a drastic turn when his father passed away on his first day of high school. Following his father's death, Dr. Haynes encountered many difficulties but with the help of mentors, his family, and God, he was able to overcome every obstacle. Dr. Haynes continued his education at Bishop College in Dallas, TX and graduated with honors in 1982. While a student at Bishop College, he also became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In 1996, he earned a Masters of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2005, Dr. Haynes received his Doctorate in Ministry from the Graduate Theological Foundation where he was afforded the opportunity to study at Christ Church, Oxford University in Oxford, England. His dissertation, "To Turn the World Upside Down: Church Growth in a Church Committed to Social Justice” reflects his commitment to faith based social activism.
A committed community activist, Dr. Haynes has formed alliances and partnerships with local community leaders and Dallas city officials to fight social injustice, domestic violence, and poverty. He worked with the Center for Responsible Lending in order to fight economic predators in Texas and across the nation that engage in predatory lending. Under the previous presidential administration, Dr. Haynes was frequently invited to the White House in order to address issues ranging from the state of the economy to voting and civil rights. He was publicly applauded by President Barack Obama for developing the THR!VE Intern and Leadership Program which employed nearly 100 young black males between the ages of 16-19. Since its inception, the program has expanded and now employs both young men and women with local businesses and at the church at a pay rate above minimum wage.
A life-long learner, Dr. Haynes is committed to education and has led Friendship-West to donate over two million dollars to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and students who are members of the church and the greater Dallas community.
As a reflection of his commitment to community transformation and social consciousness, Dr. Haynes serves in various leadership capacities in organizations that champion social change and education. Among them the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, the Conference of National Black Churches, the National Action Network, and 100 Black Men of America. He also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Paul Quinn College, an HBCU in Dalas. Dr. Haynes is married to entrepreneur Debra Peek-Haynes. They have one daughter, Abeni Jewel Haynes.
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