By Lesley DeVoss—
MUNCIE, IN – On Thursday, September 29, 2022, the Ivy Tech Foundation Board completed its formal process and voted Bishop Dr. Keith ONeal onto the Ivy Tech Foundation Board of Directors. In 2021, ONeal was named the Outstanding Alumni for Ivy Tech Muncie/Henry County.
“It’s such a privilege to be associated with such a great and impactful organization. I look forward to serving, helping to facilitate resources and offering my unique perspective to further the mission,” ONeal said.
ONeal graduated from the Muncie/Henry County campus as a member of Phi Theta Kappa. After attending Ivy Tech he attended Indiana Wesleyan University where he graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Summa Cum Laude. He completed his Doctorate of Ministry at Duke Divinity School at Duke University in Durham, NC in May of 2020. ONeal’s doctoral thesis was on, “The American Church: A Call to Unity and Witness.”
At the age of 23 ONeal felt the call to preach and became involved in music ministry. He traveled the United States and abroad, leading worship, engaging in music ministry and preaching. From 1984 to 2006, he served as Senior Associate Pastor, Music Director and Worship Leader at two Muncie churches. In 2006, Destiny Christian Center International was founded at the YWCA with an eight person congregation. Today, he and his wife Reva serve as Lead Pastors at a growing multi-cultural, multi-generational church on the northeast side of Muncie, where hundreds gather to worship every week. Along with serving as Lead Pastor he is also the CEO of two childcare centers; Destiny Christian Academies Central and Yorktown.
In April of 2013, he was elevated to the office of bishop by Bishop Tudor Bismark of the Jabula New Life Ministries Worldwide. He serves as the COO of Jabula North America, oversees churches in Indiana, and has affiliations and oversight with ministries in Venezuela, Colombia, Jamaica and Belize. In 2017, he was elevated to the position of Continental Bishop overseeing portions of the South American continent.
ONeal serves on several community boards including the Muncie Community School Board, the Chamber of Commerce, Second Harvest Food Bank and the Collective Coalition of Concerned Clergy. He has served on the United Way of Delaware County board, Sheriff’s Merit board, Hillcroft Services board and was a 2020 recipient of the Chairman’s Award from the Muncie Delaware County Chamber of Commerce.
“Dr. ONeal brings a wealth of expertise and is a proud graduate and advocate for Ivy Tech! We look forward to his leadership. Congratulations Dr. ONeal!” Chancellor Jeffrey Scott said.
The Ivy Tech Foundation was organized in 1969 and partners with donors to invest in Ivy Tech Community College students, faculty and programs to build stronger communities and a better Indiana. According their mission, the Foundation aspires to be the best two-year college foundation in America while being recognized as such by their donors, as stewards of their philanthropy, by students, faculty and staff as a significant source of support for excellence and opportunity, and by peers as a model of efficiency, effectiveness and vision.
To learn more about the Ivy Tech Foundation visit online at ivytech.edu/giving or email askmuncie@ivytech.edu.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly-accredited statewide community college system accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development offering associate degrees, short-term certificate programs, industry certifications and training that aligns to the needs of the community. The College provides seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor’s degree. Follow Ivy Tech on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for the most up-to-date information.
