Reverend Elizabeth O. Keels is the daughter of Deacon Jacob Oliver and Pastor Earlean Oliver. She was born in New York City. Rev. Keels was reared by her grandparents in Blackville, South Carolina. While living in Blackville she was a member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church. She served as a Sunday School Teacher, Church Clerk, and Financial Secretary.

Reverend Keels graduated from Voorhees College in Denmark, SC with a degree in Business Administration. She also

attended Baruch College here in New York City where she worked towards her Master’s Degree in Business Administration.  

As the disciples were taught by Jesus, Rev. Keels was mentored and taught by Elder Cedric Sawyer, Pastor of the House of 

Prayer and Love Holy Ghost Deliverance Church in Norwalk, CT. She served in that ministry for 17 years. It was there she

received the Holy Ghost.  

Reverend Keels joined Gethsemane Garden Baptist Church in May of 2002, was ordained as a Reverend on March 13, 2004,

and installed as the Assistant Pastor in March 2008. Rev. Keels and her late husband, Chef Clifford Keels were instrumental

in starting the Gethsemane Garden Baptist Church Meal Ministry.

Reverend Keels resides in Norwalk, CT. She was married to the late Clifford Keels for 40 years. She is the mother of two

biological sons and one adopted son. She has 5 grand-children. Pastor also served as the Dean at the Community Bible

Institute of Manhattan. She is employed with Bigelow as the Corporate Payroll Manager.

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After years of serving as Assistant Pastor, on March 7th, 2020, Reverend Elizabeth Keels was installed as the Pastor of Gethsemane Garden Baptist Church. On this God-appointed special day, Pastor Earlean Oliver was installed as Overseer of Gethsemane Garden Baptist Church.