Pastor J. Patrick and Missionary Indi Hayes
Introduction:
Pastor J. Patrick Hayes is a man on a mission, fervently sharing God’s vision through the written Word. His dedication to Jesus Christ’s redemptive power and the Holy Spirit’s spiritual guidance remains steadfast. With a passion for guiding God’s flock towards kingdom expansion, he has tirelessly preached God’s Word and fostered active church engagement for decades.
Journey in Ministry:
From diverse congregations to multifaceted roles, Pastor Hayes’ ministry journey is vast. In 2021, Ebenezer Gospel Assembly in Bridgeport, CT, recognized his dedication by elevating him to Senior Pastor. Since joining Ebenezer in 2009, he has played pivotal roles, ranging from teaching to church communications. Notably, he pioneered the church’s initial streaming system during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
His zeal led him to the renowned Bethel Gospel Assembly in Harlem, New York, as a pastoral intern. Immersing himself in high-level business meetings, he collaborated with various ministries and identified operational opportunities for the church.
Earlier, he served Carter Memorial COGIC in Baltimore, MD, as both a ministerial staff member and the lead designer. Meanwhile, his transformative years between 1993 to 2000 unfolded at “Herald of His Coming” in Norfolk, VA. Here, he earned his ministerial license in 1994 and ordination as an elder by 1997. His duties varied from preaching to leading worship and mentoring.
For a decade, from 1990 to 2000, Pastor Hayes served in the US Navy. A highlight of this period was his year-long service as the Military Ship’s Pastor on the USNS Kanawha. Certified as a Military Ministry Leader, he preached and offered spiritual counseling. Additionally, during his five-year tenure on the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), he sang in the ship’s choir and played a key role in a Pentecostal ministry. This position took him to diverse global locations, such as Greece, St. Thomas, and Italy.
Grace Cathedral Ministries in Sumter, SC, profoundly impacted Pastor Hayes. Serving twice, from 1988-1993 and 2005-2009, he undertook various church activities, honing his leadership skills and aiding in delivering God’s message.
In his youth, he and his family found a spiritual home at Ebenezer Gospel Assembly in Connecticut. This church remains memorable as his first spiritual abode. His parents, deeply involved, sought guidance and knowledge from revered church leaders and pursued theological studies under Dr. Edgar Lashley.
Educational Background:
Pastor Hayes’ educational journey is diverse. He graduated with honors in Computer Information Systems from Albertus Magnus College, New Haven, CT, in 2018. Passionate about theology, he secured a graduate degree from North Carolina College of Theology. Earlier, in 2009, he topped his class at Zion Christian Academy Bible Institute in Bridgeport, CT, later teaching there for a year. He also completed the Department of Veteran Affairs LEAD Program and earned a State of Connecticut Mediator Training Certificate.
Personal Life:
Blessed with a loving family, Pastor Hayes shares his life with his wife, Indi Hayes, an accomplished academic in Accounting. Together, they cherish moments with their six children, four grandchildren, and six godchildren.
Licensed as a Minister in 1995 and ordained in 1998, Pastor Hayes balances his ministerial duties with interests like book writing, pen making, and graphic design, always making time for family.
