Bishop John F. Clayton Jr. is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the founding pastor of EmpoweringWord Ministries in Philadelphia. He is currently pursuing a Master of Practical Theology at Palmer Theological Seminary.

John answered the call to ministry in 1979 as a student at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, and in the decades since he has served the Body of Christ as a worship leader, Bible study teacher, men’s fellowship leader, spiritual advisor, and gospel singer. He was ordained an elder in 1993. In 1994, what began as a Bible study in a senior citizens’ home grew into the Abundant Life Full Gospel Church of Philadelphia, which he founded and pastored for five years, building a place of welcome for all people. During those years he also co-founded a support group serving individuals and families affected by the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

In 2008, Bishop Clayton founded EmpoweringWord Ministries — a ministry of love, hope, healing, and wholeness. Today he leads the congregation in Philadelphia and carries episcopal oversight for affiliated clergy and churches. Yet though he wears the office of bishop, his first and enduring love remains the work of a pastor.

Now retired, Bishop Clayton completed a distinguished forty-one-year career at Independence Blue Cross, where he rose to Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Workforce Initiatives, leading enterprise diversity strategy alongside senior executives and the board. He is a certified development coach credentialed in leadership training, employment law, and change management.

A lifelong learner and writer, Bishop Clayton is at work on several books on spiritual leadership and the life of the Spirit, and he convenes the annual Dunamis Conference. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management and a Master of Business Administration from Eastern University.

His passion is the spiritual growth and development of all people, grounded in his conviction that leadership is servanthood — accountable to those it serves. A devoted spouse, father, grandfather, and son, he is sustained by a beloved circle of family and friends.