Rev. Jane Eesley holds bachelor's and master's degrees in English literature from Northwestern University and a master's of divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. In her early 20s she worked in urban ministry and higher education; at age 27 she entered the Global MissionFellows program of the General Board of Global Ministries (UMC) and served in Arab East Jerusalem and in Staten Island. Although she entered seminary at age 30 with the idea of earning a Ph.D. and teaching, her field education experience with Berry Memorial in Lincoln Square made her fall in love with local-church ministry. She graduated in 1996 and since has served at Chicago: Mayfair, Naperville: Community (associate), DeKalb: First (senior pastor), and Rockford: Christ (senior pastor). In August, 2023, she became Advocacy Coordinator for the Methodist Liaison Office in Jerusalem; and she will be returning from Jerusalem to serve with Chicago Temple.

Jane was the middle child of Dick and Mary Eesley, with older brother Rick and younger brother Johnny. Jane was born in Whittier, CA; went to high school in Chatham, NJ; and moved to Naperville, IL, in the middle of her senior year of high school. The Eesley family were active United Methodists throughout their lives. Her mom was a PK, and Jane and her older brother were baptized by their grandfather in River Falls, WI. Rick lives in NJ with his wife of 42 years, Joanne; their older son Jeff lives nearby and works in restaurants and plays in a band . Their younger son, Stephen, is a high school history teacher; Jane was thrilled to officiate Stephen's marriage to Freddy Widmer in Boston last October. Jane's younger brother John was born with profound cognitive and physical disabilities, which led to his institutionalization when he was three. John died in 2007, having survived twice as long as had been expected at his diagnosis. Jane's parents moved to be near Jane in their final years, and it was her privilege to care for them until their deaths.In pastoral ministry, Jane adores leading meaningful worship with great music, welcoming and receiving the gifts of all persons, serving the community, partnering with diverse teams of laity and staff, encouraging generosity, and being the youth group's biggest fan. Currently she is enjoying learning Arabic, reading about the history and politics of the Middle East, trying out new recipes, and enjoying serving the Temple and living in Chicago again.