Bishop Robin Dease

BRIEF BIO

Bishop Robin Dease is the episcopal leader of the Georgia Area, serving the South Georgia Conference and the North Georgia Conference. She was elected bishop by the 2022 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church and consecrated on November 4, 2022. Her first assignment as bishop of the North Georgia Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church and she began service in North Georgia on January 1, 2023. It was announced at the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference in July 2024 that Bishop Dease would also serve the South Georgia Conference, and the two conferences would become one episcopal area, sharing a bishop.
 
Bishop Dease grew up in Brooklyn, New York, one of 13 siblings. She graduated from Claflin University in Orangeburg in 1992. She earned a master of divinity degree and a doctor of ministry degree in stewardship from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Before her election to the episcopacy, Bishop Dease served as pastor and district superintendent in the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church and has been involved in numerous denominational and conference boards and committees.

FULL BIO
 

Bishop Robin Dease was elected bishop by the 2022 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church and consecrated November 4, 2022. Her first assignment as bishop was to the North Georgia Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church and she began service in North Georgia on January 1, 2023. 
 

In July of 2024 she was assigned as resident bishop of the newly established Georgia Episcopal Area including both the North and South Georgia Annual Conferences. She began serving the Georgia Area September 1, 2024. 
 

EDUCATION

• Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, District of Columbia; Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.), 2010 Magna Cum Laude
• Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, District of Columbia; Master of Divinity (M. Div.), 1998
• Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York; Culinary Arts (Cert.), 1994
• Claflin University, Orangeburg, South Carolina; Bachelor of Science (BS), 1992 Cum Laude
• Bauder Fashion College, Atlanta Georgia; Associate Degree (AD), 1988.

ORDINATION/CREDENTIALING

• Ordained Elder 2001 South Carolina Conference
• Ordained Deacon 1999 South Carolina Conference
• Licensed Local Pastor 1998 South Carolina Conference

APPOINTMENTS

• Georgia Area of The United Methodist Church – North and South Georgia Conferences (2024-present)
• North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church (2023-present)
• St. Andrew By The Sea UMC, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (2021- 2022)
• Appointive Cabinet of the South Carolina Annual Conference United Methodist Church District Superintendent Hartsville District (2013-2021)
• Claflin University, The Department of Philosophy and Religion, Chair (2012-2013)
• Claflin University, The Department of Philosophy and Religion, Adjunct Professor (2010-2012)
• John Wesley UMC, Greenville South Carolina, Senior Pastor (2008-2013)
• Wesley UMC, Johns Island, South Carolina, Senior. Pastor (1998-2008)

DENOMINATIONAL INVOLVEMENT

• General Board of Church and Society 2016-present
• General & Jurisdictional Conference Delegate 2012, 2016, 2020
• Claflin University Philosophy and Religion Advisory Board 1998-present
• Claflin University Board of Trustees 2016-present
• Southeastern Jurisdiction Nominating Committee 2016-2022
• Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference Committee 2016-2022
• South Carolina Conference Board of Ordained Ministry 2006-2013
• Bishops School of Ministry Design Team 2003-2010
• Director of Continuing Education Covenant Groups 2008-2013

GEORGIA UNITED METHODIST BOARDS & AGENCIES

• Andrew College, Board of Trustees
• Clark Atlanta University, Board of Trustees
• Emory University, Board of Trustees
• Epworth By the Sea, Board of Trustees
• Gammon Theological Seminary, Board of Trustees
• Georgia United Methodist Foundation, Board of Trustees
• LaGrange College, Board of Trustees
• Methodist Children’s Home, Board of Trustees
• Methodist Foundation for Retired Ministers, Board of Trustees
• Oxford College, Board of Trustees
• Paine College, Board of Trustees
• Reinhardt University, Board of Trustees
• Wellroot, Board of Trustees
• Wesleyan College, Board of Trustees
• Young Harris College, Board of Trustees
• Glisson Camp and Retreat Center, Board of Trustees
• Wesley Woods Senior Living, Board of Trustees

ECUMENICAL INVOLVEMENT

• Alabama, Upper Room Spiritual Formation Leader 2021-2024
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc 

PREVIOUS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

• Riley Diversity Leadership Institute Furman University
• Rotary Hilton Head Island 
• Resetting the Table Faith Leaders Cohort 
• Hilton Head Island Rotary
• Hartsville Toastmasters 
• Greenville, Fostering Great Ideas Board 2020-2023
• South Carolina Children’s Trust Board 2018-2023
• Hartsville Chamber of Commerce, 2013-2021
• United Way of Greenville South Carolina Faith-Based 2010-2013
• Center for Heirs’ Property and Preservation, 2000-2010
• Charleston County Detention Center Chaplain 2004-2008
• Charleston County Coastal Crisis Police Chaplain 1999-2002
• Sea Island Habitat for Humanity Board 2003-2008
• Sea Island Ministerial Alliance 2000-2005
• Rural Mission Board of Directors 2000-2006
• North Charleston Ministerial Alliance 1998-2008

SECULAR EXPERIENCE

• Marriott Management Services/Director, George Washington University (St. Mary’s Court), 1993- 1998
• District Leader/Trainer Steven Covey Seven Habits Marriott Education Services 1994-1997
• Executive Chef, Asst. Manager Marriott Management Service Wesley Theological Seminary 1992- 1993
• Claflin University, Cook Orangeburg, South Carolina 1988-1992
• Winn Dixie Stores, Deli Bakery, Bennettsville, South Carolina 1984-1988

HONORS/AWARDS

• Society of John Wesley Award of Merit by Wesley Theological Seminary, 2023
• Africa University Richard Reeves Society, 2020
• Coastal Chaplain of the Year, 2005
• The Chronicle Community Leader Award, 2000
• Principles of Leadership Award, 1998

HOBBIES/INTERESTS

• Motorcycling
• Traveling/Arts
• Painting
• Playing pool
• Cooking
• Reading