The United Methodist Church

Central Church is part of the Grand Rapids District of the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. Our Episcopal leader is Bishop Jonathan Keaton, and our District Superintendent is Rev. Laurie Haller. We recognize as our denominational founders John and Charles Wesley, 18th century Englishmen, who believed that God calls Christ’s followers to holiness of heart and life; that is, to the love of God and neighbor.

Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton

 Michigan Area

Rev. Laurie Haller

Superintendent

Grand Rapids District

John and Charles Wesley began the Methodist Movement within the Anglican Church to reform the nation and spread Scriptural holiness throughout the land. In 1784, following independence from England, the Movement became The Methodist Episcopal Church. Prior to the Civil War, the Church split into Methodist Episcopal Church North and Methodist Episcopal Church South, reuniting again in 1939. In 1968, the Methodists joined with the Evangelical United Brethren (who also considered the Wesleys their ecclesiastical forebears), forming the United Methodist Church. Today, the United Methodist Church has nearly 10 million members in 42,000 congregations in the U.S. and around the world.

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