Habakkuk 2:3 “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

Bishop Dr. Malachi Haines, Sr. is no stranger to making sacrifices in obedience to the voice of God. As a Temple University freshman, he relinquished a promising basketball career (and declined multiple sports scholarships) to fulfill the Lord’s Will concerning him. That decision has shaped the trajectory of his life.

In 1995, a young Pastor Malachi Haines received an unction to begin a work in Charlotte, North Carolina. Immediately, he began spying out the land and searching for somewhere to work, live, and hold church services. Just before closing on the purchase of a church, the Lord clearly said, “WAIT.” Obeying this instruction, Pastor Haines, Lady Gwendolyn Haines, and their children (Malachi, Jr. and Brooke Monet) occupied their time by aiding the Northern District pastors of the Greater Highway Churches of Christ.

While waiting, Pastor Haines also furthered his education by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Special Education. This achievement opened the door for him to become an Educational Consultant to various schools and institutions, as well as a co-founder and chair of a successful K-12 charter school.

While Pastor Haines was fasting in the Spring of 1998, he played a gospel tape that had mysteriously found its way under the armrest of his car’s seat. The opening song was “Move With the Cloud.” He looked up, saw the clouds in the sky moving, and heard, “It’s time!” Pastor Haines was confident that it was time to move to Charlotte to begin a work for the Lord!

Without delay, Pastor and Lady Haines made preparations and moved to Charlotte on July 4, 1998! Within eleven months of the then-Upper Room Church’s existence, the Lord blessed His people with a fully functional church building that sat on three acres of land. Nevertheless, Pastor Haines told the saints, “God is not finished, yet. The best is yet to come.” He stood on the promise found in Habakkuk 2:3.

After pastoring in Charlotte for eleven years, Pastor Haines was led to launch out in Dallas, Texas. In August of 2009, several Upper Room families joined The Haineses to support the church plant. While working full-time and earning a Doctorate of Law at night (from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law), Pastor Haines founded the Word Aflame Church, a lighthouse for God’s people.

Bishop Haines has been blessed! After obtaining four degrees, establishing a thriving law firm, and planting two churches, he was honored to be appointed as the Presiding Bishop of the over 70-year-old international Greater Highway Churches of Christ by the organization’s Founder and Executive Chairman, Bishop R. F. Davis, Sr.! Bishop Haines continues to make sacrifices to serve God’s people and obey His Will. Determination and perseverance continue to serve him well. And his mantra remains: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me!”- Philippians 4:13.

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His name…” Hebrews 6:10

Blessed with natural beauty and gracefulness and flair for elegance, Lady Gwendolyn Denice Haines is the dedicated and exceptionally gifted Elect Lady of the Word Aflame Churches in Dallas, Texas, and Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as the wife of the Presiding Bishop of the International Greater Highway Churches of Christ, a role that she humbly cherishes.

As the 14th daughter of 15 children born to the late Bishop Spencer and Mother Odgie Davis, Lady Haines was raised with a heart of a servant and a love for family. At the tender age of 9, young Lady Haines (then Gwen Davis) was entrusted with great responsibilities at her church including temple keeper, singer and program organizer. Over the years, Lady Haines gracefully blossomed. As she grew in her business career as a site administrator for a large demolition company in Philadelphia, she remained faithful to ministering to God’s people, when she met and married her soulmate, Bishop Haines.  As a natural entrepreneur, Lady Haines sharpened her business skills at the prestigious Wingate University in Charlotte, North Carolina and soon launched her own boutique business known as “My Style,” whose name properly reflects the elegance and graceful persona Lady Haines imbues.

Lady Haines, incorporates her administrative acumen and keen business sense to strengthen the organizational facets of the ministry.  Albeit, it is Lady Haines’ spiritual gifts of discernment and relentless compassion that have proven to be invaluable in her present role, while her reputation as a prayer warrior earned her great respect throughout the Greater Highway Churches of Christ, Inc., globally. Through assisting her husband with two church plants in North Carolina and Texas, willingly serving as administrator for his businesses and helping in the establishing of a thriving law firm, Malachi Law Group, PLLC, to now supporting her husband in the new role of Presiding Bishop, Lady Haines has effectively balanced the rigors of life, while successfully raising two now adult children, Malachi, Jr. and Brooke, all while nourishing a loving marriage for nearly three decades with her husband.

As the very epitome of a virtuous woman, Lady Haines is a living legacy of excellence, who continues to serve the body of Christ in the spirit of graceful humility, while demonstrating the beauty of holiness.