Bishop Craig N. Coates
Fresh Start/FMBC, Inc.

Bishop Coates, senior Pastor of Fresh Start/FMBC, Inc. was licensed as a minister in 1987 under the National Baptist Conference. He answered the call to Pastor in 1994 under the leadership of Bishop Wilbert Baltimore. While Pastoring the Rapture Church with two locations, he was ordained to the office of Bishop in January, 2002 under the Holy Christian Orthodox church and oversees the Diocese of the Annapolis region. He is currently serving as Secretary General for the International Holy Christian Orthodox Fellowship of Brethren. Recently Bishop Coates was reunited with Kings Apostles World Ministries overseen by his spiritual Father, Sr. Bishop Wilbert L. Baltimore.

He is currently pursuing his Doctorate Degree in African American Studies and Family Therapy at the University of Maryland. He is currently on the Dean’s List maintaining a 4.0 GPA and serves as a student teacher in the field of Ethnopsychology.

His most recent projects include a business institute geared at raising the conscious level of African Americans aspiring to become entrepreneurs and the establishment of My Brother’s Keeper Barbershop and Trade School located at 135 West Street in Historic Annapolis, MD.

Bishop Coates talents in the music arena are extensive as he plays the keyboard, sings, and composes. He has also been called upon to organize and facilitate Praise and Worship workshops within the local body and on the West Coast.

The next project for Bishop Coates will be to publish his dissertation on African-centered education. He is also in the process of establishing a country-wide tour of workshops geared toward church growth and community partnerships. A lecturer to the Church body, he is able to present practical insight and plans that will assist in the growth of the Church and Community.

Bishop Coates loves the Lord and enjoys serving God’s people. His greatest mentors have been his Uncle, the late Apostle Richard Johnson III and his grandfather, the late Richard Johnson, Jr.