Realizing that God had a divine call upon his life, Dr. Hayes decided to attend The Interdenominational Theological Center as a student at 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.”

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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.”

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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.

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In addition to working in God’s vineyard, Dr. Hayes has served as Performing Arts/Drama Director at Dekalb Elementary School of the Arts in Decatur, GA, Vanderlyn Elementary School in Dunwoody, GA, 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; and 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 for gains in achievement) in Decatur, GA. Currently, Dr. Hayes serves as the Performing Arts Instructor and Drama Club Director at Peachtree Middle School in Dunwoody, 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 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.

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Dr. Hayes has also served as the Assistant Pastor and Youth and 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 and Substance Abuse 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.