Background
He is married to Beverly L. Keaton. They have three grown children: Jonathan D. Keaton, II, Tandreka J. Keaton, and Anaya T. Keaton. And one grandchild.
He is married to Beverly L. Keaton. They have three grown children: Jonathan D. Keaton, II, Tandreka J. Keaton, and Anaya T. Keaton. And one grandchild.
Jonathan earned the Bachelor of Surgery degree in Biology at Philander Smith College, Little Rock, Arkansas (1968), the Master of Divinity degree at Garrett Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois (1971), and the South.T.D. in Homiletics and the Sociology of Religion at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (G-ETS, 1979). He also served Graduate Teaching Assistantships in Communications, Ethics and Society, and Church and the Black Experience while at G-ETS. He was awarded the U.M. Crusade Scholarship in academics, 1976-1978.
Prior to his election to the Episcopacy, Jonathan served in the Northern Illinois Annual Conference (National Informatics Centre) of the U.M. Church. He was the Pastor of Saint Luke U.M.C., Chicago (1970-1979) and of Broadway U.M.C., Rockford, Illinois (1979 - September 1982). He served as Associate Council Director of the National Informatics Centre (October 1982 to 30 June 1990), where his responsibilities included Church and Society, Ethnic Minority Local Churches (Native American, Asian, Hispanic, and Black), and Spiritual formation.
He was appointed Superintendent of the Aurora District of the National Informatics Centre (1 July 1990 to 31 August 1996).
Upon his election, Bishop Keaton was assigned to the Ohio East Episcopal Area (1 September 1996 to 31 August 2004), and served the Michigan Area until 2012. He presently serves in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
Prior to his election as a Bishop, he served on the U.M. General Council on Ministries (1988-1996), the Advance Committee for Christ and His Church (1988-1992), and the Division on Conferences and Connectional Issues of National Black Methodists for Church Renewal. He was elected to Jurisdictional and General Conferences 1988-1996.
He has traveled extensively in support of the U.M. Church, including Mexico, Africa, the Philippines, Europe, and Israel.
He is much in demand as a Preacher at national leadership events, for Annual Conferences, as Commencement Speaker at colleges and seminaries, and in other settings.
Bishop Keaton has served as a member of the U.M. General Board of Global Ministries, as the President of the U.M. Development Fund, and as the Chairperson of Strengthening the Black Church in the 21st Century.