Pastor Darius G. Pridgen is a man that has been chosen by God to lead and change a generation. Serving as Senior Pastor of True Bethel Baptist Church with three services; two locations, the East and Downtown, located in the great city of Buffalo, New York. His pastorate began in 1994 with 25 members and is now 4,000 members and counting. His willingness to do whatever the Lord tells him to do without fear or hesitation has changed the lives of people locally and throughout this world.
Following with other firsts, Pastor Pridgen was the first Pastor ever elected to the Buffalo Board of Education in 1999. His continued care for the well being of others led him to be tested during his morning worship service for HIV/AIDS, which resulted in 400 people being tested for this epidemic. His love for people gained him recognition in Gospel Today 2003 for one of the "Most Loved Pastors" in the country. The Buffalo News in 2004 sited him as an Outstanding Citizen of Western New York. In 2005, Adelphia recognized him as 1 of WNY's Most Fascinating People, followed by the Diversity Award from Leadership Buffalo and most recently Buffalo State College honored him with the Young Alumnus Achievement Award, Class of 1988. In 2007 Pastor Pridgen achieved many accomplishments and appointments; he was inducted in the Sigma Beta Delta
International Honor Society, installed as New York State Overseer for the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship under the leadership of the International Presiding Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. and through recommendation of Denise O' Donnell, Commissioner of New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services to Governor Elliott Spitzer, he was appointed to both the federal and state Juvenile Justice boards. In 2008 the Tom Joyner radio show recognized him with the "Hardest Working Pastor" award.
His education began in the Air Force and continued where he completed and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Buffalo State College. Pastor Pridgen also possesses a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership.
Understanding that his priority in ministry is serving others, he is fully acceptant that his calling is to "care for people." He once said "If I can change the way we talk, maybe I can change their minds." His awards and recognitions are countless however his biggest reward is seeing lives changed which were once broken, mistreated and simply misunderstood.