Rev. Dr. Jonathan Dean

Associate Pastor

Rev. Dr. Jonathan Dean came to us from Milton Keynes in the United Kingdom. He was Pastor of three small churches there, two of which have experienced growth under his pastoral leadership. He also volunteered his time as Chaplain to H.M. Prison Woodhill. One of his passions is the Christian response to the Criminal Justice system.

Jonathan received a Bachelor's degree and Master's degree from the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. He completed his PhD from the University of Cambridge in 2005. One of his former professors, Dr. Martin Forward is the Director of the Center for Faith and Action at Aurora University and has invited Jonathan on two separate occasions to lecture at the University. During his most recent trip to the United States, Jonathan happened to meet one of our District Superintendents, Dr. Marti Scott. He told her he has always wanted to serve abroad. He reports he was both surprised and delighted when he received a telephone call asking him to come to First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove to meet with the Staff Parish Relations Committee.

Jonathan's responsibilities include leading worship each week; preaching once a month; being the staff liaison for Missions, Membership Development, LiFT and Stephen Ministry; sharing in pastoral care, weddings and funerals with me; and leading the Wednesday morning Spirituality class.