Rev. Delman Coates is a graduate of Morehouse College (B.A. in Religion, 1995), Harvard Divinity School (Master of Divinity, 1998), and Columbia University (Master of Philosophy in Religion, 2002; Ph.D. in New Testament & Early Christianity, 2006). Since February 2004, Dr. Coates has served as the Senior Pastor of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, MD. In 15 years, the congregation has grown to approximately 10,500 members, adding over 9,000 new disciples. Dr. Coates has led the church in initiating and revitalizing ministries, doubling the church's ministry campus and land holdings, incorporating the Mt. Ennon Development Corporation and impacting the community in Prince George's County, Maryland. Under Dr. Coates’ leadership, the church has engaged in media advocacy and healthcare reform advocacy. In October 2009, Outreach Magazine named Mt. Ennon as one of the 100 Fastest Growing Congregations in the U.S.

Pastor Coates founded the Our Money Campaign, an economic justice campaign that seeks to solve some of our nation’s greatest social and economic challenges, which celebrated its official launch in May 2019. He also founded the Black Church Center for Justice & Equality. Coates is a board member of the National Action Network, as well as a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Morehouse College Board of Preachers, and the NAACP. In 2008, TAAP honored him as one of the "20 To Watch." In 2012, “The Root” named Dr. Coates as one of their 100 African American achievers and influencers. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) honored Dr. Coates in 2013 for his commitment to advancing civil rights and liberties for all. The same year, Ebony magazine selected him as one of their “Power 100.”

Coates’ ministry, messages, and social activism span a variety of media platforms. He has appeared on, and been profiled in national media such as MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, Fox Soul, Essence Magazine, NPR, VH1, The New York Times, The Washington Post, & Huffington Post, and is featured in the documentary, The New Black.

Dr. Coates is the proud father of four children: one son, Nathaniel and three daughters, Jasmine and twin daughters, Ava Marie and Leah Blair.