Bishop & Presiding Elder

The Right Rev. Jason Crowder took office as the 1st Bishop and Presiding Elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church on June 10, 2022.    

Bishop Crowder, resides in Sweetwater, Tennessee with his wife Addie and their two children, Kelsie, and Liam.     

Bishop Crowder has over 20 years of law enforcement experience and currently serves as an SRO (School Resource Officer) for the Sweetwater Police Department. Prior to becoming a SRO Bishop Crowder served as a Park Ranger, Deputy Sheriff, Police Officer, Administrative Lieutenant, Chief of Police and most recently served as Police and Court Administrator for the Town of Tellico Plains where he also served as Interim Chief on 3 different occasions and also served on the Federal Bureau of Investigations Joint Terrorism Task Force.  

Bishop Crowder was ordained a Priest in the Celtic Anabaptist Communion in 2003 and served as Lay Minister / Pastor in the United Methodist Church before founding the Good Shepherd Methodist Church in Philadelphia, TN where he serves as Pastor.     

On June 10, 2022 The Rt. Rev. Jason Crowder was consecrated and installed as the first Bishop and Presiding Elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

 Bishop Crowder holds several certifications from the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, Middle Tennessee State University, University of Tennessee and the Municipal Technical Advisory Service. He also holds an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from the Celtic Cross Seminary of Theology. Bishop Crowder is also a certified Life Coach and holds a certification from the New Skills Academy. 

 Bishop Crowder is looking ahead to the future and the growth of the Church.