BISHOP OTIS A. EANES, SR.

Bishop Otis Augustus Eanes was born January 27, 1958, to Mance and Lee Bertha Eanes, the youngest of their children. His call to ministry was evident at an early age, and he began preaching the Gospel at just 12 years old. In 1983, Bishop Eanes founded and became pastor of Greater Liberty Church of God in Christ in East St. Louis, Illinois. Under his visionary leadership, the congregation flourished, and he personally participated in the construction of two church facilities from the ground up. Today, Greater Liberty is a thriving ministry with a state-of-the-art sanctuary, administrative offices, classrooms, conference facilities, a fully equipped computer lab, an online ministry presence, and numerous ministries dedicated to serving the church and community. Bishop Eanes has faithfully served the Illinois Southeast Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction for decades. In 1991, he was appointed Superintendent of District #4. In 1998, he was appointed Administrative Assistant to Bishop William Scott and was subsequently elevated to Second Administrative Assistant. In September 2015, he was elevated to the office of First Administrative Assistant. A lifelong member of the Illinois Southeast Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Bishop Eanes has served its leadership and membership in numerous capacities, including State Evangelist, District Evangelist, ISEJ Tent Crusade, Baptismal Committee, Interim Finance Committee, and Benefit Dinner Chairman. His faithful service and influence have extended well beyond the local and jurisdictional levels. In 2014, The Whole Truth magazine recognized him as one of the 100 Influential Pastors of the Church of God in Christ. On November 11, 2018, with the unanimous approval of Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. and the General Board, Dr. Otis A. Eanes was consecrated Bishop and appointed Prelate of the Illinois Southeast Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ. The jurisdiction encompasses more than 40 churches, and Bishop Eanes continues to lead with a commitment to spiritual growth, ministry excellence, and service to the greater Church of God in Christ. Bishop Eanes was educated in the East St. Louis school system and continued his studies at Belleville Area College, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Ranken Technical College, Interdenominational Theological Center, and Word of Truth Bible College. In June 2015, he received a Doctorate of Theology from the Temple of Deliverance School of Theology, where he presently serves on the board. In addition to his extensive ministry service, Bishop Eanes enjoyed a 29-year career with Ameren Illinois before retiring in January 2015. Bishop Eanes is an accomplished and anointed preacher, singer, musician, and orator. He has been blessed in marriage to Mother Donna Eanes, his helpmate and a gifted woman in her own right, for 43 years. Together, they were blessed with three children, all of whom have been active in ministry. In 2025, their eldest daughter transitioned to her heavenly home, leaving a cherished legacy of faith and love. Following the passing of Bishop Mark Gilkey in 2025, Bishop Eanes was appointed Regional Bishop of the Central Region of the Church of God in Christ, entrusting him with an additional mantle of leadership and service. In this role, he continues a lifetime devoted to the Gospel, the strengthening of the Church, and the advancement of the Kingdom of God.