The Rev. Dr. Ida Willis Keener is the dynamic Presiding Elder of the San Antonio District of the Southwest Texas Annual Conference.  A native Texan, Dr. Keener was ordained in 1982 during the former West Texas Annual Conference. Prior to her appointment as a presiding elder, Dr. Keener spent 16 years as a pastor. The congregations of Neal Bend Mission, Brazoria Circuit, Buckhorn Circuit, Allen Chapel (Bellville) and Sealy Circuit benefited from Dr. Keener’s ministry, which included powerful, anointed preaching; Bible-based teaching; spiritual and numerical growth, and major renovations, among other hallmarks.

 

A trusted and committed leader, Dr. Keener has served the 10th Episcopal District as a delegate to the General Conferences of 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012.

 

Under Bishop John R. Bryant’s leadership, Dr. Keener received the “Soul Winning Award” for three consecutive years. In recognizing her ability to inspire people and build congregations, Bishop Bryant appointed her the Presiding Elder of the West Texas Conference – Brenham District, where she served from 1992-2002. He then moved her to the Central Texas Conference, where she served from 2003-2006. In 2006, Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram appointed her the Presiding Elder of the San Antonio District, where she continues to serve and inspire a renewed spirit of unity and worship.

 

Dr. Keener’s ministry has been impactful both globally and ecumenically. In 1992, she was the keynote speaker for the Woman of Excellence Conference in Dallas, Texas. Additionally, she has ministered in The Bahamas and South Africa, and in 2007-2008 was selected to travel to Turkey to participate in a Pastors’ Leadership Conference sponsored by Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Dr. Keener’s international travels and speaking engagements are a testament to the fact that she is forever seeking opportunities for spiritual renewal and growth, and is always ready for God to move her beyond her comfort zone to share and experience the Gospel.

 

In a historic move in 2008 during the 10th District Planning Meeting, Bishop Ingram appointed Dr. Keener the first woman to serve as president of the Presiding Elders Council. As president, she hopes to inspire unity of purpose among presiding elders to achieve the goal of kingdom building and church growth in the 10th District. She also will advocate for sincere and open dialogue between presiding elders and all pastors, whether male or female. By listening—and responding—to the concerns of all pastors within their districts and conferences,       Dr. Keener is confident that the members of the 10th District Presiding Elders Council will lead the way to a significant boost in morale among our clergy, as well as unprecedented growth within our congregations.

 

A well-prepared servant, she is a product of the Sealy Public School System. She holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Nursing from St. Philip’s College in San Antonio; both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Texas Southern University, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Houston Graduate School of Theology.         Dr. Keener taught physical education, life science, earth science, biology, and physical science in the North Forest and Fort Bend school districts for 25 years.

 

Born in Sealy, Texas, to Sandy and Ocie L. Willis, Dr. Keener is the seventh daughter and last daughter of that union, which also produced one son. As the seventh daughter Dr. Keener believes she was marked for excellence from birth. At a very early age she was born anew in Christ Jesus and received her first call to ministry. 

 

She met her husband, Bennie Earl Keener, Sr., at the age of 13. They married on April 4, 1964.  The Keeners have three children—Kimberly, Bennie Jr. and Eric—15 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

 

A preacher of great faith and trust in what Christ can do; Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV) is Dr. Keener’s guiding Scripture:

 

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

 

Contact Presiding Elder Keener @ sanantoniodistamec@gmail.com