On a quiet Sunday morning in January 2020, Pastor Sammie Haynes stood in a small, rented room above a bookstore and soul food restaurant on North La Brea. Having just moved to Los Angeles, he was staying in an Airbnb and using public transportation, yet he was driven by an urgent calling to start a new church.
As he prepared for his first service, the room remained empty, leaving him uncertain if anyone would even show up. “I prayed, and I said, ‘God, I know I didn’t come this far to preach to an empty room. But if that’s what you want, I’ll do it,’” Pastor Sammie recalls.
But just minutes before the service was to begin, a familiar sound filled the space — footsteps. One by one, people began to arrive. By the time the sermon started, six individuals had taken their seats. Among them was Gerald Garth, executive director of AMAAD Institute (Arming Minorities Against Addiction & Disease) and a friend from Haynes’s days as editor-in-chief of Sheen Magazine. Garth would later become an ordained elder of the church. Together, they marked the humble yet powerful beginnings of what would become Vision Church Los Angeles.
Today, at Vision Church’s new location on Melrose Avenue, each visitor is greeted warmly by a deacon, setting a tone of belonging. “We want everyone to know, without a doubt, they’re in the right place, at the right time, with the right people,” Pastor Sammie says. The service soon bursts into high praise — hands clapping, tambourines playing, and voices lifted in song. Congregants share personal testimonies, recounting challenges overcome, and blessings received.
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“Our mission has always been to create a safe space for all people to encounter God,” Pastor Sammie explains, a vision that has turned Vision Church into a haven of inclusivity and acceptance.
This dedication to serving others began early for Haynes. Growing up in Macon, Georgia, he felt his first calling to preach at age 15, influenced by a strong family legacy of faith through his father and uncle, both pastors. “I knew at a very young age that I was called by God. There was something special about me, a purpose I couldn’t ignore,” he shares.
By 20, Pastor Sammie had become an elder, and by 21, he was serving as an assistant pastor while attending Fort Valley State University in Georgia. His entire life has been shaped by this dedication, and his move to Los Angeles only deepened his commitment to building a community.
“This is all I know when it comes to spirituality, theology, and religion. I’ve been doing it all my life,” he reflects.
Recently, this lifelong dedication has been honored at a national level. In 2024, Pastor Sammie was inducted into the prestigious Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College.
“It was life-changing,” he recalls, describing the moment of standing among theologians and spiritual leaders. “To be recognized among such distinguished pastors was an amazing honor.”
Vision Church Los Angeles may have started with a small gathering of six, but under Pastor Sammie’s leadership, it has grown into a beacon of hope and healing for the entire community. Now as Pastor Bishop-Elect Sammie Haynes, he continues to expand his influence within the United Progressive Pentecostal Church Fellowship, where he has served as Chief Operating Officer for over 10 years.
His longstanding role within this national organization has deepened his experience and strengthened his pastoral vision. With the support of the Presiding Bishop, O.C. Allen, Pastor Sammie’s work with Vision Church LA is setting a new standard for inclusive ministry in Los Angeles and beyond.
Join Pastor Sammie Haynes for Sunday worship at 10 a.m. at the Zephyr Theatre, where Vision Church LA welcomes all to experience faith, community, and uplifting praise. Stay connected and follow Vision Church LA on Instagram at @visionchurchla for updates, inspiration, and events.
