CTS Alumnus Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III Wins Congressional Primary
Christian Theological Seminary recognizes the recent primary election victory of alumnus Frederick D. Haynes III (PhD ’25), who won the Democratic primary for Texas’s 30th congressional district, according to reporting from CBS News.
Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III has served for decades as senior pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church, where he has led a large, influential congregation known for its dynamic preaching and strong commitment to community engagement. Through his ministry, he has advanced initiatives addressing economic inequality, education, public health, and social justice, positioning the church as a significant voice for faith-based advocacy and community transformation in the Dallas area.
A 2025 graduate of Christian Theological Seminary’s PhD program in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric, Haynes’ scholarship reflects CTS’s commitment to forming practitioner-scholars. His doctoral work explored the homiletics and rhetoric of Black preaching and social justice proclamation, with particular attention to Afro-prophetic traditions. His dissertation, “Unashamedly Black, Unapologetically Christian: The Woke Preaching of Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.,” examines the meaning of “woke” preaching through the lens of Wright’s ministry and rhetorical witness. During his studies, Haynes also contributed to the seminary’s Mixed Methods in Preaching initiative, engaging the intersection of research, teaching, and congregational practice.
Haynes has returned to CTS on multiple occasions as a speaker, including as a guest preacher in chapel and as keynote speaker for the 2024 Faith & Action Fall Event Hope on the Horizon, where he invited faith leaders to serve as “Hustlers of Hope” in their communities.
The primary victory positions Haynes as a leading candidate in the November general election for the Dallas-area congressional district. His ongoing work in ministry and public life reflects the broader impact of CTS graduates serving at the intersection of faith, scholarship, and community engagement.
Read the full CBS News report:
https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/results-texas-democratic-primary-district-30-frederick-haynes/
