Biography of Reverend Donald D. Craig Sr.
Reverend Donald Durante Craig, Sr. is a native of Detroit, Michigan. He was born to Pastor William Henry Craig, Sr. and Sister Johnnie Belle Craig. He received his early education in the Detroit and Highland Park Public School systems. In 1982, Reverend Craig graduated from Highland Park Community High School, where he concentrated in Psychology and Language Arts.
At the age of five, Reverend Craig was baptized by his father, Pastor William H. Craig, Sr. From that time forward, he was instructed by both his father and mother in the teachings and ways of Jesus Christ, laying a strong spiritual foundation for his life and ministry.
At the age of seven, his mother, Sister Johnnie Belle Craig, recognized the importance of music in ministry and encouraged him to pursue musical training that would benefit both his personal development and the church. After several years of classical music studies, she guided him toward Gospel music, which has since become a central and enduring element of Reverend Craig’s ministry.
In 1983, Reverend Donald Craig was ordained as a deacon by his father, Pastor William H. Craig, Sr., and faithfully served the church in that capacity. In 1985, he received his call to preach the Gospel under his father’s leadership. He was licensed to preach in 1986, and in 1987, he was ordained into the Gospel ministry at Eber Memorial Baptist Church by Pastor William H. Craig, Pastor Avance Harding, and Pastor Washington.
Reverend Craig received ministerial training and mentorship through the Westside Ministers Alliance Group, where he gained foundational instruction in ministry, church leadership, and pastoral responsibilities. Under the leadership of Pastor William H. Craig, Sr., he served faithfully as his assistant and worked in multiple areas of Christian education, including teaching Sunday School and serving wherever he was needed.
At the urging of Pastor William H. Craig, Sr., Reverend Craig expanded his ministry beyond the local church. He began preaching and ministering through music throughout the Metro Detroit area, across the state of Michigan, and in various regions throughout the country.
In addition to his calling as a preacher, teacher, and musician, Reverend Donald Craig is a devoted husband to his wife, Carol Craig, and a loving father to his two children, Dominique Lashawn Craig and Donald Durante Craig, Jr. He is also a proud and devoted grandfather to his five grandchildren: Stephon, Tylar, Gabrielle, Ivy, and Rosie.
In February 2025, Reverend Craig received a vision to restart Craig’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church under the name Chapel Christian Ministries. He firmly believes that through faith in God, continual prayer, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and trust in Jesus Christ, success in ministry is inevitable. With the faithful support of his wife of over twenty-five years and a committed congregation, Reverend Craig is confident in fulfilling the work God has entrusted to him.
Reverend Craig’s personal motto is:
“If I can help somebody along the way, then my living has not been in vain.”
His favorite scripture is found in Ephesians 3:20 (KJV):
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
He also stands firmly on the promise found in Romans 8:38–39 (KJV):
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”