Currently serves as Pastor for New Life Baptist Church Ministries in Saginaw, Michigan, a role he has held since May 2018. He also serves as  CEO of Mission in the City, the 501 c-3 arm of New Life Baptist Ministries.  Prior to serving as Pastor of New Life Baptist Ministries, Dr. Tatum served as Senior Pastor of the First Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Battle Creek, Michigan for 20 Years. Dr. Tatum’s passion for youth and families led him to hold positions such as Assistant Director for Bay County Juvenile Home, Director of Project SUCCESS for Saginaw Public Schools, Probation Officer for Saginaw County and Treatment Specialist for Boysville of Michigan. Dr. Craig Tatum received his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Sociology from Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw, MI. Seeing a need to further his education, he pursued and obtained a Masters of Art Degree in Political Science/Criminal Justice from Saginaw Valley State University. After accepting the call to Pastor First Salem Missionary Baptist Church, Dr. Tatum has completed a Masters in Ministry Leadership at Grand Rapids Bible Baptist Seminary. He received an Honorary Doctorate in Ministry Leadership from Bell Grove Theological Seminary in 2006. Dr. Tatum Served as the Dean of & President of the Chain Lake District Association. Dr. Tatum also served as CEO of First Salem Ministries, INC., administering the Nationally Recognized program, "Parenting Across Cultures" (formerly known as Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Effective Black Parenting). Dr. Tatum has served on many boards; United Way, In One Accord, Community Action Agency, United Ministerial Community Alliance, Minority Health Partnership, and Legacy Enterprises. Dr. Tatum is the recipient of many awards, All-American Honors in Track and Field, Whitney M. Young Service Award, Andrew Service Award, Deans List, Malcolm-X Award, Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities to name a few. Dr. Tatum is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., since 1982. Dr. Tatum was appointed in November of 2017 to serve as President for the Wolverine State Convention Congress of Christian Education. He is a Nationally Certified Instructor for the National Baptist Convention USA Inc. Dr. Tatum, A recipient of the prestigious WK Kellogg Leadership Fellows, organized Battle Creek's 100 Men. This Program was designed to actively recruit 100 men to mentor young people in the areas of Chess, Oration, Business and Self-Care. Dr. Tatum is married to Dawn Tatum, his wife of 39 years and they have two sons, Trenel and Travon actively engaged in ministry by their side.