Wayne is a native of Greenville, South Carolina, where he started his life-long love of learning, music, and service. He received his bachelor’s degree in communications from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, and through an internship program, relocated to Los Angeles. It is in Los Angeles that Wayne has spent the most time, and where his multi-platform career has flourished. His early career focused on television, film and music production. He also maintained a presence as a composer and artist of gospel, R&B and popular music. In between projects, Wayne could be found serving at True Friendship Baptist Church where he was the assistant minister of music and the youth pastor for over ten years.
Eventually, his focus shifted, and he began to study more intently, earning a
Master of Arts, Theology degree from the renowned Fuller Theological Seminary. Never content to do only one thing, Wayne’s corporate career expanded to include human resources management, and senior administration. In 2015, he became the senior pastor of First Timothy Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, which serves a diverse and rapidly emerging community. In 2020, Wayne completed his doctoral studies in a joint program with the New Theological Seminary of the West, and the New York Theological Seminary. His dissertation focused on the unique experience of bi-vocational pastors, and the impact of transformational leadership on churches facing the future. In addition to his pastoral duties, he is a Manager of Administrative Services for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, a premier non-profit organization.
An experienced Mentor, Wayne continues to work with a number of youth and young adults in transition, and often speaks of ‘building bridges’ between families, or even between an individual’s present and future self. He often teaches that you are not your “best” somebody until you have “blessed” somebody. Try to be a blessing today.
Although he has little “spare time,” Wayne loves to ride his bike, create music, and has now started a new weekly program, “The Conversation with DocHop” on social media. He is a busy guy, but always makes time to honor God and serve people with humor, honor and heart.
