Bishop Darius G. Pridgen
Senior Servant
Bishop Darius G. Pridgen is a mentor, servant, community leader and organizer who serves as the Senior Pastor of True Bethel Baptist Church located in the city of Buffalo, New York. His teachings and preaching are heard worldwide though the internet as well as weekly with four services in two locations on the East side of Buffalo.
Bishop Pridgen and his congregation have learned that "To whom much is given much is required"; the church provides the community with food, clothing and shelter through True Bethel Charities, Taste of Faith Food Pantry, True Bethel Clothes Closet and Nehemiah Arms emergency housing. They provide resources for individuals who find themselves homeless due to fire or have been reentered into the community and need a helping hand.
Bishop Pridgen is known for speaking out for those who are often not heard. In 2007 Pastor Pridgen and the True Bethel Family combined efforts with the community and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in order to clean-up a hazardous toxic waste site across the street from the church, the clean up of this effort was over 9.5 million dollars making the area safe for residential use. In 2010 Pastor Pridgen and his congregation reached out to help restore a historic landmark of the Underground Railroad, Michigan Street Baptist Church. The loan of over a hundred thousand dollars assisted in the repairs of windows in order to preserve history.
He has received countless awards and appointments such as the 36th Annual Black Achievers Award, New York State Minorities in Criminal Justice and the "Do Something for Others Award", exemplifying the teachings and life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He serves as the New York State Overseer for the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Paul S. Morton. On January 1, 2011 Bishop Pridgen officially began his work as the Ellicott District Common Council Member for the City of Buffalo. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Medaille College and has recently received the First Student Veterans Alumni Award from the Office of Veterans and Military Affairs, Medaille College.
His education began in the Air Force and continued where he completed and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Buffalo State College along with obtaining his Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from Medaille College.
He fully accepts his calling which is to "love" and "to change a generation" teaching people that excellence is a way of life. His greatest reward is watching the lives of people change because they have changed their mindset and are walking in their full potential.
