LILLY GROVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH PRESENTS...
FROM PULPIT TO PUBLIC POLICY
CHRIST, CULTURE & COMMUNITY
SYMPOSIUM “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17 NIV
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2026 Rev. Terry K. Anderson, Senior Pastor Rev. Carlos Washington, Executive Pastor
PROGRAM Invocation
Deacon Michael Abner, Sr.
Congregational Song Lift Every Voice and Sing
Welcome
Anthony Washington and Michelle Moore Leaders, Social Justice and Services Ministry
Introduction of the Moderator Rev. Terry K. Anderson
Introduction of Panelists
Moderator, Rev. James Payne, Esq.
Round Table Discussion Rev. Dr. Charlie Dates Commissioner Rodney Ellis Mayor Pro Tem Marquette Greene-Scott Mrs. Rhonda Hart Rev. Dr. Freddie Haynes, III Mrs. Laura Jones Representative Ron Reynolds Mr. Judson Robinson, III
Closing Prayer
Rev. Terry K. Anderson
From Pulpit To Public Policy
REV. JAMES E. PAYNE, ESQ.
Equity Partner, Provost and Umphrey Law Firm, LLP
James E. Payne is an equity partner at Provost Umphrey Law Firm and a nationally recognized trial attorney with more than 30 years of experience in complex litigation. He has served as lead counsel in over 50 jury trials and more than 300 mediations, representing clients in product liability, industrial accident, and motor vehicle cases. Triple board-certified and Directorship Certified through the National Association of Corporate Directors, Payne is also widely respected for his expertise in corporate governance, risk management, and compliance. A consistent leader in the legal profession, Payne has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer annually since 2003 and a Best Lawyer in America since 2006. He was honored as “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation and inducted into the prestigious International Society of Barristers. Throughout his career, he has secured numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements, including the largest reported single-plaintiff wrongful death recovery in South Carolina history. Beyond the courtroom, Payne is a civic and faith leader, motivational speaker, ordained minister, and former International President of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc. A graduate of the University of Houston, he and his wife, Tracie, are the proud parents of three children.
From Pulpit To Public Policy
REV. DR. CHARLIE DATES Pastor, Progressive Baptist Church and Salem Baptist Church, Chicago | Author, What Hath Justice to Do with Righteousness?
The Reverend Dr. Charlie Edward Dates serves as the Senior Pastor of both Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago and the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago—a unique calling that places him at the helm of two of the most storied and influential Black churches in the nation. A dynamic preacher, scholar, and civic leader, his ministry unites people of all ages and backgrounds through the clear and compelling proclamation of the Gospel. Dr. Dates is the founder of the Black Boy Literacy Campaign, the Spend in the Black Commerce Corridor, and the Progressive Center for Counseling & Justice. A mentor and equipper of preachers worldwide, he serves as Co-Chair of the Preaching Institute at the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center and teaches preaching at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary. A trusted voice in both church and culture, his debut book, What Hath Justice to Do with Righteousness?, was recently released by InterVarsity Press. A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Dr. Dates earned both his Master of Divinity and Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where his scholarship focused on the often-overlooked brilliance and burden of Black biblical preaching. He is a Burnham Fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago and formerly served as chaplain of the Chicago Bears. Dr. Dates lives in Chicago with his wife and college sweetheart, Kirstie, and their two children, Charlie II and Claire. From Pulpit To Public Policy
COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS
Harris County Commissioner, Precinct 1
Rodney Ellis is Harris County Commissioner for Precinct One, representing a diverse 365square-mile region with more than 1.2 million residents. A lifelong Houstonian raised in the Sunnyside neighborhood, Ellis is the son of a yardman and a maid and attended Texas public schools through law school. He earned degrees from Texas Southern University, the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Texas School of Law. A nationally recognized civil rights leader, Ellis has dedicated more than four decades to public service. He served three terms on the Houston City Council before representing Texas Senate District 13 for 26 years, where he authored more than 700 laws. As County Commissioner, Ellis has led efforts to expand public defense, strengthen worker protections, reform misdemeanor bail practices, and advance equity-driven policies. He also championed transformative investments in flood control and climate resilience, helping secure voter approval of a $2.5 billion bond following Hurricane Harvey to support equitable disaster recovery and infrastructure improvements. Ellis is an avid art collector and cycling enthusiast. He and his wife, Licia Green-Ellis, have four children.
From Pulpit To Public Policy
MAYOR PRO TEM MARQUETTE GREENE-SCOTT Congressional Candidate, District 22
Marquette is an attorney, educator, community leader, and public servant whose life and career are rooted in service and a commitment to helping families thrive. In 2010, she moved to Texas as a single mother determined to create greater opportunities for her daughter, Kaitlyn. Her experience navigating the challenges of work, parenting, and building a new life has shaped her deep belief in the power of community and the African proverb, “It takes a village.” Before becoming an attorney, Marquette spent 14 years teaching mathematics at the high school and college levels, investing in the lives and futures of students. She later earned her law degree while raising a toddler, demonstrating the resilience and determination that continue to define her approach to leadership. Licensed to practice law in Texas and Louisiana, she focuses on helping individuals and families navigate complex legal and personal challenges with compassion and practical solutions. A resident of Iowa Colony since 2019, Marquette is committed to thoughtful, responsive public service. As a candidate for Texas Congressional District 22, she brings her experiences as a mother, educator, attorney, wife, and community leader to the conversation about faith, family, opportunity, and the future of our communities. From Pulpit To Public Policy
MRS. RHONDA HART
Congressional Candidate, District 36
Rhonda Hart is an Army veteran, community advocate, and candidate for Congress in Texas’s 36th District. Raised in Wasilla, Alaska, she has dedicated her life to public service and civic engagement. Following the tragic loss of her daughter, Kimberly Vaughan, in the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, Hart became a tireless advocate for public safety and government accountability. Since 2019, she has volunteered with Newtown Action Alliance, working to advance policies that protect families and communities while honoring the memory of those lost to gun violence. Hart has successfully advocated for legislative change at both the federal and state levels. In 2022, she helped secure passage of the Kimberly Vaughan Safe Storage of Firearms Act, and in 2023, she played a key role in advancing Texas Senate Bill 435, which expanded public access to government information. Currently pursuing graduate studies in political science at the University of Houston, Hart is focused on addressing the issues that matter most to working families, including lowering the cost of living, expanding access to affordable healthcare, supporting military members and veterans, and combating corruption in Washington. Her campaign is rooted in transparency, accountability, and public service.
From Pulpit To Public Policy
REV. DR. FREDDIE HAYNES, III Pastor, Friendship West Baptist Church, Dallas | Congressional Candidate, District 30
Rev. Dr. Frederick Douglass Haynes III is a nationally respected pastor, educator, social justice advocate, and community leader whose ministry bridges faith, equity, and empowerment. For more than four decades, he has served as Senior Pastor of FriendshipWest Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, growing the congregation from fewer than 100 members in 1983 to more than 13,000 members today. Born in Dallas and raised in San Francisco, Dr. Haynes overcame personal and educational challenges to become an accomplished scholar and faith leader. He earned degrees from Bishop College, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, the Graduate Theological Foundation, and Christian Theological Seminary, where he received a Ph.D. in 2025. His scholarship and ministry reflect a lifelong commitment to social justice and community transformation. A dedicated advocate for economic justice, voting rights, education, and community development, Dr. Haynes has partnered with local, national, and global leaders to address systemic inequities. Under his leadership, Friendship-West has invested millions of dollars in scholarships and support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Dr. Haynes serves in leadership roles with several national faith and social justice organizations and became the Democratic nominee for Texas’s 30th Congressional District in 2026. He is married to entrepreneur Debra Peek-Haynes, and they have one daughter, Abeni Jewel Haynes. From Pulpit To Public Policy
MRS. LAURA JONES
Congressional Candidate, District 8
Laura Jones is a native Texan, community activist, former Democratic County Party Chair, and four-time candidate dedicated to serving the people of Texas Congressional District 8. Throughout her years of public engagement, she has earned a reputation for showing up, listening to constituents, and addressing difficult issues with honesty and determination. Jones is committed to strengthening the foundations of thriving communities by advocating for improved roads, reliable water infrastructure, quality public schools, and economic policies that support working families. She believes that government should focus on practical, people-centered solutions that help families succeed and create opportunities for future generations. A strong defender of constitutional rights, Jones champions due process, civil liberties, and equal treatment under the law for all constituents. She is particularly focused on ensuring that underserved and overlooked communities have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. Guided by a belief in responsive and accountable leadership, Jones continues to advocate for policies that improve everyday life and restore trust in public service. Her work reflects a commitment to building stronger communities and ensuring that every Texan has the opportunity to thrive. From Pulpit To Public Policy
REPRESENTATIVE RON REYNOLDS
Texas House of Representatives, District 27
Representative Ron Reynolds has served Texas House District 27 since January 2011 and is currently serving his eighth term in the Texas House of Representatives. He made history as the first African American state representative from Fort Bend County since Reconstruction. Throughout his legislative career, Reynolds has earned numerous honors, including being named “2021 Legislator of the Year” by Fort Bend United and The Young & the Politics, as well as receiving recognition as “Freshman Legislator of the Year” and “Public Servant of the Year.” A respected leader in state government, Reynolds has served as House Minority Whip and currently serves as Chair of the Texas HBCU Legislative Caucus, Vice Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, and Chair Emeritus of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus. He also serves on the NAACP National Board of Directors and holds leadership roles with several civic and advocacy organizations. Before joining the Legislature, Reynolds served as an Associate Municipal Judge for the City of Houston and led both the Houston Lawyers Association and the Missouri City & Vicinity NAACP. A graduate of Texas Southern University and Texas Tech University School of Law, he is a small business owner, devoted Christian, and proud father of three children.
From Pulpit To Public Policy
MR. JUDSON ROBINSON, III
President of Houston Area Urban League
Judson W. Robinson III has served as President and CEO of the Houston Area Urban League (HAUL) since 2008, leading initiatives that expand educational access, workforce development, and economic opportunity for underserved communities. Under his leadership, HAUL has grown its regional footprint, increased community impact, and strengthened its capacity to deliver critical services through record fundraising achievements. In 2023, he helped bring the National Urban League Conference to Houston, welcoming more than 10,000 attendees and showcasing the city’s commitment to equity and inclusion. A third-generation Houstonian, Robinson has built a distinguished career in public service, business, and community leadership. He served three terms on the Houston City Council, including as Vice Mayor Pro Tem, where he played a key role in major redevelopment projects that contributed to Houston’s growth. He later held leadership positions in both the private and public sectors, including Regional Vice President at Professional Service Industries and Deputy Commissioner for Harris County Precinct 2. Robinson serves on numerous civic and nonprofit boards and is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. A graduate and trustee of Fisk University, he is married to Cora Robinson and is the proud father of three children and grandfather of five.
From Pulpit To Public Policy
THANK YOU Thank you for participating in From Pulpit to Public Policy and for helping make this important dialogue possible. May today’s conversation inspire us to engage more deeply, serve more intentionally, and turn our faith and convictions into meaningful action for our communities. Thank you to our distinguished guests who traveled from near and far to contribute to this impactful conversation. Your time, thought-provoking perspectives, and substantial insight made From Pulpit to Public Policy the discourse our community needed.
Church Officers Bro. Frank Williams Presiding Deacon
Bro. Darrell Brightmon Trustee Chairman
Bro. Stephen Scott Church Clerk
Bro. Milton Simmons Treasurer
Bro. Hayden Jacob/Bro. Willis Robinson Financial Secretary From Pulpit To Public Policy
FROM PULPIT TO PUBLIC POLICY
CHRIST, CULTURE & COMMUNITY
SYMPOSIUM