Biography
Early Life
Robin Dease grew up in Brooklyn, New York. She was one of thirteen siblings. Her parents were from South Carolina. They moved to New York for job opportunities. After her parents retired they moved back to South Carolina. This occurred during Robin’s last year of high school. Robin spent most of her life far South of where she was born.
Robin’s high school encouraged her to go to college. She moved to Atlanta with her sister and attended Bauder Fashion College. At the time her sister and brother-in-law were attending Kelley Chapel UMC. Robin joining them and instantly fell in love with the Chapel. She earned an associates degree from Bauder. She had planned to move back to New York to find a job in fashion. Her godparents encouraged her to enroll in United Methodist affiliated Claflin University. It is in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The goal was for her to get a Bachelor’s degree for a better job. She was the only girl in her religion courses. While attending Claflin she felt her call to ministry, which her New Testament Professor confirmed. Her male colleagues disagreed with her call, but she remained steadfast. She graduated in 1992. She went on to earn a Master of Divinity degree. She earned a doctor of ministry degree in stewardship from Wesley Theological Seminary. It is in Washington, D.C. Bishop Robin Dease earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Claflin University. She earned Masters of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry Degrees from Wesley Theological Seminary. It is located in Washington, D.C.
Pastoral Ministry
Robin Dease’s motivation in pastoral ministry is to create change. Throughout her life she made it a priority to help others. Before Dease was appointed district superintendent she wanted to make sure she was fit for the role. She worked broadly with rural churches and cooperative parishes. Dease established a clergy wellness program in South Carolina. It provided ministers with grants for respite (a rest period). It supported clergy renewal and wholeness.
In 1998, Robin marched to Columbia to take down the Confederate flag flying over the capitol with Rev. Goodwin.
Claflin University asked her to return to serve as the chair of the Department of religion and Philosophy. Her conference colleagues and church encouraged her to explore a church outside of academia. Her bishop had previously asked her twice to be the district superintendent of South Carolina. She accepted the third time.
Bishop Robin Dease withdrew her nomination at the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference in November 2022. She did not want to risk splitting a vote for a black candidate. She was renominated and was elected the Bishop of the Southeastern Jurisdictional. She is now assigned to serve The North and South Georgia Annual Conferences of The United Methodist Church. She began service in North Georgia on January 1, 2023. Robin has plans to mentor people she believes could be successful in large churches. Robin continues to lift up black women who are collaborative and have vision. She is appointing more black women leaders to the cabinet and as superintendents.
