Bishop Jeffery B. Cooper, Sr.

The Rt. Rev. Jeffery B. Cooper, Sr. was elected and consecrated as the 147th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church at the 52nd General Conference in August 2024 and assigned to the 18th Episcopal District, which spans four African countries. A native of Savannah, Georgia, he is a lifelong member of St. Phillip Monumental AME Church.

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Bishop Cooper holds degrees from the University of Georgia (B.A. in Political Science; M.P.A.), Regent University School of Divinity (M.Div., M.A. in Practical Theology), and a Doctor of Ministry from Graduate Theological Seminary. He has also pursued additional studies in theology and law.

Beginning his ministry in 1978, Bishop Cooper served several congregations in Georgia before leading Trinity AME Church in Atlanta for 24 years, where he oversaw significant growth, renovations, and the development of a state-of-the-art Early Learning Center.

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He has held numerous leadership roles within the AME Church and beyond, including General Secretary/Chief Information Officer, President of the General Officers Council, and member of multiple boards and committees. His professional experience also includes serving as a consultant to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency and as Director of Minority Admissions at the University of Georgia, where he helped increase minority enrollment.

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A respected leader and mentor, Bishop Cooper authored A Financial Management Primer for the AME Church and has received numerous honors, including the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He currently serves on the Faith-Based Advisory Board for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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Bishop Cooper is married to the Rev. Joanne E. Williams-Cooper, M.D. and they are the proud parents of four children: Ako, Ethan, Charity, and Jeffery, II. They have also been blessed with eight adorable grandchildren: Alex, J’adore, Imana, Jaylan, Legend, Mitchel, Elijah, and Anderson.