Dr. Will D. Hayes, III
The People’s Preacher/A Bible Teacher
The Reverend Dr. Will D. Hayes, III was born in Alabaster, Alabama. He later journeyed to Chicago, Illinois, where he lived with his mother for several years. Returning to Alabama to live with his grandparents, Dr. Hayes graduated from high school and enrolled at Alabama State University, where he earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Theatre Arts/Public Relations. Realizing that God had a divine call upon his life, Dr. Hayes decided to attend The Interdenominational Theological Center as a student of Morehouse School of Religion in 1997. On May 12, 2001, he earned both the Master of Divinity degree and the Master of Arts degree in Christian Education. On May 12, 2012, The Reverend Dr. Will D. Hayes, III received his Doctor of Ministry degree with honors from The Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA. His dissertation was titled, “Using the Arts (Music, Mime, Dance, and Drama) to Enhance the Spirituality of the Youth.”
Dr. Hayes has ministered and preached God’s Word all across the country. He has also studied internationally in Egypt, Israel, Italy, and Switzerland. In addition to the gift of preaching, Dr. Hayes is an anointed musician, songwriter, and producer. In September 2009, the song penned by Dr. Hayes and sung by Monica Lisa Stevenson titled, “So Glad He Saved Me” was selected as Song of the Year at the Gospel Choice Awards in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Hayes comes from a musical family. His uncle is the gospel recording artist, The Late Dr. Charles G. Hayes, who is the founder of the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer in Chicago, Illinois. Having released over 30 recordings, his uncle’s choir is mostly known for “Jesus Can Work it Out,” “Step Back, Let God Do It,” and “Heaven Is My Goal.”
Dr. Hayes was licensed to preach on May 4, 1997, at Saint James Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. On April 28, 2002, Will De’angeleo Hayes, III was ordained into the Christian ministry at Believe and Receive Fellowship Training Center in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Hayes has shared his time and talents with several ministries across Atlanta. He has served as a music director for Rivers of Living Waters Church of God in Christ, Believe and Receive Imani Fellowship, YaQar Ministries, New Hope Pentecostal Church of God in Christ, Chester Avenue Full Gospel Baptist Church, and many other ministries since his arrival in Atlanta.
In addition to working in God’s vineyard, Dr. Hayes has served as drama instructor at Dekalb Elementary School of the Arts in Atlanta, GA, Vanderlyn Elementary School in Dunwoody, GA, and currently serves as the drama instructor at Wadsworth Magnet School for High Achievers (One of few schools with the highest test scores in the state of Georgia for the 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 school year & one of eight Georgia public schools to be named by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School for superior academic achievement or gains in achievement) in Decatur, GA.
Some of his theatrical experience on stage and television includes the following: Jesus Christ Superstar, Don’t Bother Me I Can’t Cope, Dreamgirls, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Gospel at Colonus, In the Heat of the Night, Celebrate the Possibilities, and Blues for Mister Charlie. Dr. Hayes has also directed several dynamic plays at DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts, including An Evening of Anansi Theatre, The Velveteen Rabbit, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Charlotte’s Web, and A Night of One Act Plays. Dr. Hayes enjoys working with his students and thanks God for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of youth.
Dr. Hayes has also served as the Assistant Pastor and Youth & Young Adult Minister at The Greater Solid Rock Baptist Church in Riverdale, GA, under the leadership of The Reverend John W Waters, Ph.D. On June 19, 2005, Dr. Hayes became pastor-elect of The Greater Solid Rock Baptist Church, and on September 1, 2005, Dr. Hayes began a new spiritual journey as the Senior Pastor/CEO of The Greater Solid Rock Baptist Church, Inc. On June 28, 2014 after almost nine years of faithful service, Dr. Hayes resigned from The Greater Solid Rock Baptist Church in order to move forth with the vision for God’s Word & Christ Ministries, A Church of Order and Excellence.
On Sunday, August 3, 2014, the first service for God’s Word & Christ Ministries aka The Healing Station was launched! Dr. Hayes is also a member of Jumanne and Associates (An HIV/AIDS Initiative Targeting the African American Community/Church). Among the numerous awards that Dr. Hayes has received, one was presented during the 2010 Gospel Choice Awards when he was named one of the 10 Chosen Pastors in the state of Georgia for exemplary work in the church and the community. In addition, Dr. Hayes was inducted into the International Society of Theta Phi (An Honor Society for Theological Students, Scholars in the Field of Religion, and Outstanding Religious Leaders) on November 10, 2011, at The Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA. On February 21, 2015, Dr. Hayes received the Faith Award from Saving Our Children and Families, Inc. for exemplary work in the community with youth and social services.
In addition to the aforementioned achievements, God once again showed favor on this man of God by allowing him to receive the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the highest awards a clergyman or clergywoman can receive from the President of the United States. This award was presented by Ambassador Lenora Peterson-Maclin on November 20, 2016 in Atlanta, GA. During The Seven Last Sayings of Christ service on Friday, March 30, 2018 at God’s Word & Christ Ministries, Holy Spirit gave Dr. Hayes a vision during that service to start a fellowship called, Friends In Fellowship. This fellowship is comprised of various pastors/congregations that come together on a quarterly basis to fellowship, worship together, and encourage one another via the Word of God. On Friday, May 1, 2020, Dr. Hayes received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanitarianism from Yale University in London/The Global International Alliance under the direction of United Nations Ambassador, Dr. Lenora Wimberly-Peterson for having a vision and desire to make a positive difference in the lives of men, women, boys and girls on a global level. This anointed and appointed man of God is known as, “The People’s Preacher” and “A Bible Teacher.”
~Teaching Engagements~
Join us each Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm for our Leadership & Membership Training Sessions conducted by our Christian Education Team! Please call the church office at 404-294-4775 for conference call information. ALL ARE INVITED to attend any Wednesday night session.
~Inspirational Moments~
“If God can’t do it, it can’t be done!”
~Dr. Will D. Hayes, III~