Frederick D. Haynes III the Senior Pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church, will take a temporary leave of absence, the church announced.

DALLAS — Frederick D. Haynes III the Senior Pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church, will take a temporary leave of absence following a recent medical diagnosis, the church announced. 

Haynes has led Friendship-West Baptist Church since 1983 and grown its membership from 100 to 13,000, according to the church’s website. He also has a significant public profile beyond his church, for his activism and leadership both in North Texas and nationwide. 

He will take a temporary medical leave of absence from the church and undergo surgery, according to a press release from Friendship-West Baptist Church. The church did not provide a clear timeline for his return.

“He is scheduled to undergo surgery and will spend the coming weeks focused on recovery,” the release states. 

Rev. David Malcolm McGruder, Executive Pastor, will assume pastoral and ministry responsibilities, the church said. Veta Holt, Chief Operations Officer, will continue to handle business and financial operations. 

While this is a personal challenge, I stand firm in my faith and have complete confidence in God’s healing power,” said Dr. Haynes. “James 5:15 reminds us, ‘And the prayer of faith shall save the sick.’ I am profoundly grateful for your prayers, love, support, understanding, and respect for my privacy during this time, and I look forward to returning after my recovery.”

Haynes serves on the board of the Conference of National Black Churches, the National Action Network, and the IC3 Church and Development Conference. He is on the Board of Trustees of Dallas’ Paul Quinn College. He previously worked with the Center for Responsible Lending to fight predatory payday lenders and founded the THR!VE Intern and Leadership Program, which employs young men and women. 

In 2022, he was awarded the Joseph R. Biden Jr. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Leadership Award in Community Service by the President himself. 

Last year, he resigned as CEO of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the civil rights group founded by the Rev. Jesse Jackson in the 1970s, two months after assuming the role. At the time, he did not give a reason for the departure. 

The church will release periodic updates on Haynes’ condition through the church’s official spokesperson, Alisha Trusty, the church said.