Bishop Nathaniel Hayes

Dr. Nathaniel P. Hayes, Sr., a native of Mullins, South Carolina, was the fifth child born to the late Arthur and Kathleen (Platt) Hayes on February 11th, 1954. Raised in a godly home, Nathaniel accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a very early age.  As he grew, this young Hayes continued to work hard to hold on to his faith. Nathaniel was an early student of the Word of GOD, even teaching Adult Sunday School as a teen. In 1972, he graduated from Palmetto High School in Mullins, South Carolina. 

Dr. Hayes then moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut and worked at the Raybestos Company. From there, this young man enrolled in the Bethel Bible Institute. It was during his studies that Dr. Hayes met his partner in life and ministry, Judy Deloris Mincey. They were united in holy matrimony on December 21, 1974 at Ebenezer Gospel Assembly (EGA). While serving under Dr. Edgar Lashley, he was also ordained to the ministry in 1975. As a faithful and active member of EGA, he was in charge of the Evangelistic Friday Night Services. He also graduated from Bethel Bible Institute under tutelage of Dr. Lashley in 1977. Years later, he was elevated to the office of Apostle & Bishop by the Late Bishop Quandar Wilson.

Dr. Hayes and Evangelist Judy began to work in the ministry, often preaching team revivals. This anointed couple were ordained into pastorship by Pastor Wilhelmina Redmon of Faith Temple Revival Center of New Haven, Connecticut. And in October of 1977, they birthed the United Prayer Deliverance Center, Inc. on 774 Kossuth Street in Bridgeport, CT. 

Dr. Hayes relocated to Winston Salem, NC and established Word Aflame Theological College & Seminary with special programs for pastors and their churches. Their first two branches opened in Winston Salem, NC and Fort Worth, Texas.

Dr. Hayes was a Theologian, Author, Lecturer, Scholar and a Dynamic Teacher with the following earned degrees: Bachelor of Science in Psychology, MA in Marriage Family & Child Counseling, Th. D. & Ph. D in Theology. He was also Certified in Anger Management. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors for Hosanna Ministry, a Christian drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for men in Bridgeport, CT.

Bishop Hayes peacefully entered his eternal rest early Sunday morning, April 16, 2023 at Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Kathleen (Platt) Hayes, and three of his brothers: John Archie Hayes, James Hayward Hayes, and Christopher Franklin Hayes; one brother-in-law, James McLauchlin, one sister-in-law, Mae Pearl Hayes.

He leaves to cherish his memory:  his loving wife of 48 years, Judy Deloris Hayes, his children, three daughters, Julia (Patrick) Lewis and Nadine Hayes of North Carolina, D’Netra Mincey of New York, two sons, Nathaniel Hayes, Jr., and D’Metree Mincey of North Carolina; one grandchild, Matthew Lewis. Two brothers; Thomas W. Hayes, Anthony (Audrey) Hayes; two sisters: Rosa (Hayes) McLauchlin and Mary Ellen Hayes; two sisters-in-law: Nadine P. Hayes and Jocelyn M. Hayes; and a host of beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

The services will be Livestreamed at the link below starting at 10:30am.

You are invited to view the celebration of the life of Nathaniel Hayes on Saturday, April 29, 2023, @ 10:30 AM. Please join the live-streamed funeral service, by clicking the link below.

Click HERE to view the home-going service for Nathaniel Hayes

FUNERAL SERVICE INFORMATION:

Saturday, April 29, 2023 | Visitation 11:00 PM | Service 12:00 PM
Breakthrough Church, 729 Union Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06607

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