Speaker

Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton

Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton is a retired bishop of The United Methodist Church. Annual Conference 2025 is a homecoming for the bishop, as he previously served as resident bishop of the East Ohio Conference from 1996-2004.

Following his eight years in East Ohio, Keaton served as resident bishop of the Michigan Area, which included the Detroit and West Michigan Conferences, and then four years in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference before retiring in 2016.

Keaton was elected a bishop from the Northern Illinois Conference where he served two churches, was an associate council director, and later was appointed a district superintendent. During his ministry in Northern Illinois, he was elected three times to serve as a General Conference delegate.

He has served The United Methodist Church as a member of the General Council on Ministries and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry from 2009-2012. He chaired the denominational initiative Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century (SBC-21), and is serving as a member of the Council of Bishop’s Leadership Team on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations.

Keaton earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Philander Smith College. He earned Master of Divinity Studies from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and later a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Seminary.

The bishop and his wife Beverly have been blessed with three children and two grandchildren.