John D. Belton, son of the late Nazareth and Mamie Belton, was born March 5, 1944 in Camden, South Carolina.  He is one of eight children. After graduating from Jackson High School (Camden, SC) in 1962, he moved to Washington, DC for better economic opportunities. After the untimely, simultaneous death of both his parents in September 1967, he married and returned home to Camden, South Carolina in November 1967.

In November 1967, he began working at DuPont, May Plant in Camden, SC. During his tenure at DuPont, he received numerous awards and distinctions including becoming the first African American to be certified and hold the position of Industrial Electrician in 1980. He retired in 1999 after 32 years.

Bishop Belton acknowledged the call of ministry and began preaching in 1979; was ordained in 1981; was installed as Pastor of Bible Way Church of Sumter (formerly The Shady Grove Bible Way Church of Sumter) in 1985; appointed as District Elder in 1990; consecrated to the Bishopric in 1995.

As a man of integrity, love and faith in God, Bishop Belton consistently demonstrates his passion for ministry and for the betterment of mankind by faithfully serving the church, locally and corporately, and by serving the community in a variety of venues. His vision for ministry includes developing and empowering a perpetual generation of youth and young adults to continue the work of ministry and advance the Kingdom of God.

Bishop Belton is married to the former Joyce Thomas of Maryland; they have three children, Reyna Belton Rush (Eric Rush), Dr. Joel Belton Snipe and Andre’ Meadows; four grandchildren, Jada Dozier (Jason Dozier), Deric Rush, Kaylah Snipe and Roman Snipe; one great grandchild Jason Dozier Jr.