Rev. Ricardo Anthony Haynes
Born and raised in Spanish Town, Jamaica, Ricardo Anthony Haynes’ preparation for the Christian ministry has been shaped by life experience and formal academic training. He has been active in ministry since the age of fifteen. Growing up in an impoverished and violent community, the church became his bedrock and place of refuge. His mother instilled in him and his brother the importance of education as a means of overcoming poverty. Over the years, Rev. Haynes has served the church and the theological academic community in various capacities. Within the church he served as Sunday School Superintendent, Youth Leader, Bible Study Teacher, and Associate Minister. He has also served as an Instructor at the Jamaica Theological Seminary and the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University. Rev. Haynes would describe himself as a hard worker and life-long learner, who is inspired to live, serve and share the passion of Christ. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and three Master degrees --- a Master of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with honors from the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology, a Master of Divinity degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University, and a Master of Theology degree in Systematic Theology from Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He is the former pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Bumpass, VA. Rev. Haynes provided transformational servant leadership to the benefit of the church. In addition to his commitment to the church, Rev. Haynes is a passionate activist for social and racial justice. His commitment to the fight against racism has led him to partner with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities to foster healing and bridge the racial divide. His favorite scripture is Micah 6:8 (ESV), “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Rev. Haynes is married to the beautiful Rudene Mercer Haynes, an attorney at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP (formerly Hunton & Williams LLP). The couple are the proud parents of two children: Rabbie and Rachel.