The Reverend Daniel M. Hayes, Sr. is the Senior Pastor/Teacher of John Wesley United Methodist Church, Nashville, Tenn., and is serving a thirteenth term, since his return in 2012. He began his ministry journey at the age of 15, as he preached his first sermon at Gordon Memorial UMC, for their first Youth Day. At the age of 18 he was licensed in the Tennessee Annual Conference. He was appointed to the Murfreesboro Parish, representing Key, Emery, and St. John UMC, in 1977.

His career began 50 years ago, throughout which time he has been referred to as the “Building Pastor". Spiritual, physical, and membership growth have been the characteristics of his ministry. In 1989, while serving as the pastor of Brooks Memorial UMC, Rev. Hayes was the first clergy member, and African American honored by the Tennessee Annual Conference with the prestigious Harry Denman Evangelism Award, presented to United Methodist clergy and laypersons in each annual conference who exhibit unusual and outstanding efforts for the work of Christian Evangelism, and effectiveness in helping others experience the transforming love of God through Jesus Christ.  During the 2024 Annual Conference he was honored as the first recipient to receive the Denman Award a second time. In 2006 he was awarded the G. Ross Freeman Award by the United Methodist Men.  

During his earlier term at John Wesley from 1990—1999, the church van was purchased, the music ministry was expanded, and a centerpiece-stained glass window, and additional stained-glass windows throughout the sanctuary were installed.  He had the vision and led the design, building, and fundraising plan of the new educational wing of the church, and the Robert Sweat, Jr. Fellowship Hall on the lower level, which includes a performance stage, baptismal pool, restrooms, public address, and Wi-Fi media systems.  From 1999—2010, Rev. Hayes was the Senior Pastor/Teacher of Gordon Memorial UMC.  During his tenure, he led Gordon Memorial in two major building projects of $3 million, including a new 850-seat sanctuary and the renovation of the historical church, totaling more than 46,000 square feet of ministry, Christian education, and worship space. 

Hayes pastored several churches in the Clarkesville District and led them to accomplish growth in areas of ministry that had not been experienced or achieved in many years. For example, under his leadership, the first and largest group of youth completed confirmation preparation in the district. In addition to his tenacity for building, Rev. Hayes has a long-standing ministry of powerful worship, outreach ministry, and leadership development, including of mentoring and sending more pastors to serve churches than any other pastor in the Tennessee Annual Conference.

Upon his return appointment to John Wesley in 2012, Rev. Hayes was instrumental in the purchase of a 15-passenger bus to support the growth of children, youth, and senior ministries. During the disruption of COVID-19, he expanded the worship experience with the introduction of live streaming for regular Sunday and special services. With the infrastructure for live streaming, improvements in media capability were expanded for training, worship, and special event options in the fellowship hall. Even though the composition of young people changed, the children’s choir flourished to serve in worship and various services throughout the year. In March 2023, under his leadership, John Wesley consecrated a new kitchen and dining area. To his credit and motivation, John Wesley has remitted conference and general apportionments 100% in full, each year of his leadership.  

He is a visionary leader, powerful preacher, inspiring teacher, and author of two books, entitled “Persecuted for Righteousness Sake”, and his newest book, Permanent Glue Relationships, released in March 2024. Both are available on Amazon.com. Rev. Hayes is dedicated to his family and is married to the former Janice Anderson.  Together they have raised three beautiful children—Dr. Danielle J. Watson (Chase), Dr. Daniel M. Hayes, Jr. (Miranda), and Danicia M. Wyly (Darin). He is “Paw Paw” to Zuri Grace Hayes, Charli Grace Watson, Darin David Wyly, Jr., and Nyla Rose Hayes. Beloved furry family members include Nash and  Hersey.