Blue Coats: How a Grassroots Organization is Leading Erie's Anti-Violence Movement
Blue Coats: How a Grassroots Organization is Leading Erie's Anti-Violence Movement
The Blue Coats is an organization in Erie made up of volunteers who care about the city's youth. The Blue Coats have been working since 2005 to defuse violence and promote safety among Erie's students and in the neighborhoods surrounding the schools. In this presentation, Pastor Daryl "Brother D" Craig, Sr., will discuss how the Blue Coats came about, their mission, and the results that they've witnessed since starting the Blue Coats.
Location: Jefferson Educational Society - 3207 State Street, Erie, PA 16508
Date/Time: Friday, February 23 at Noon
Admission: FREE, optional $5 boxed lunch (please register 48 hours in advance for lunch)
Parking: lot behind building, State Street, 33rd Street, 32nd Street, French Street
Pastor Daryl Craig, Sr. is a native of Buffalo, NY and a longtime resident of Erie PA. Pastor Craig is married to Tamika Craig and has six children and seven grandchildren. Pastor Craig committed his life to Christ on July 2, 1991, and has been serving in Ministry since 2000. Pastor Craig joined the Back to Basic Ministries of Buffalo, NY where he was mentored in Outreach Ministry under the guidance of Pastors Anthony Brown and Pastor James Giles. Pastor Craig quickly became an asset to the efforts of the community-based non-violence movement promoted by the Back-to-Basics Ministry (Buffalo, NY). In 2005 Pastor Craig was redirected back to Erie because of his employment of Delprince Fashion/ Lifestyle Street Gear, courtesy of his employer Chris Delprince. Chris Delprince is a long-time friend and serves as an advisor for the Erie Blue Coats Ministry. In 2005 Pastor Craig became a member of Abundant Life Ministries under the Leadership of the Late Pastor Robert L. Gaines Sr. as an avid student and mentee of Ministerial sessions, with Pastor Gaines. As a result, Pastor Craig was licensed and ordained as a Minister of the Gospel. In 2016 Pastor Craig joined the House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church, was ordained as Associate Pastor, and served alongside the leadership of the Pastor Michael Coles Sr. In late January/ early February of 2020, Pastor Craig stepped in for Pastor Michael Coles, and on August 7, 2021, was installed as Sr. Pastor of The House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Craig currently serves as Founder & Executive Director of Creative Community Connectors Ministry. C.C.C. Ministry offers a variety of services to the Erie Community, which includes, but is not limited to The Bluecoats Youth Non-Violence Initiative, Flipside Gun Violence Program, Community Safety Services, Reentry Mentoring Program, and Youth Court Advocacy. Pastor Craig also serves on the Erie Community Police Relationship counsel, Unified Erie Advisory Board, Community Advisory Board of Erie School District, and is a member of United Clergy of Erie, PA.
