Rev. Dr. Frederick Douglass Haynes III is the senior pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. He is a prophetic pastor, passionate leader, social activist, and eloquent orator and educator engaged in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, fighting against racial injustice; committed to economic justice and empowerment in under-served communities, and touching and transforming the lives of the disenfranchised. He is a committed community activist who has formed alliances with local community leaders and Dallas city officials to fight domestic violence and poverty by organizing a Faith Summit on Poverty. He has worked with the Center for Responsible Lending in order to fight economic predators in Texas and across the nation that engage in predatory lending.

Dr. Haynes received a B.A. degree in Religion and English at Bishop College in Dallas, Texas; a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; and a 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 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 the THR!VE Intern and Leadership Program. Birthed from the vision of Dr. Haynes, Friendship-West founded the THR!VE Intern and Leadership Program. During the first year, the THR! VE Intern and Leadership Program 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. The young people currently intern with local businesses and the church, are paid a rate above minimum wage, and receive mentoring while engaging in community service.

As further 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. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is the author of Healing Our Broken Village, which seeks to address the issues that have contributed to broken communities and lives, and Soul Fitness, an inspirational and motivational daily devotional. Dr. Haynes is married to Debra Peek-Haynes and they are the proud parents of Abeni Jewel Haynes.

Dr. Haynes continued his education at Bishop College in Dallas, TX and graduated, with honors in 1982 with a B.A. degree in Religion and English. While a student at Bishop College, he also became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In 1996, he earned a Master 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.

www.friendshipwest.org