Rev. Bob Sweet was born and raised in Kingsport, Tennessee where he grew up in the United Methodist Church. He graduated from high school in 1971.

He earned a BS degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1975. After graduation it was off to Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida for naval flight training. He earned his "Wings of Gold" as a Navy Pilot in 1976 and began what would become a career in the Navy. He retired from the naval service in 1994.

In January 1995, he enrolled in seminary at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated magna cum laude in 1997 earning a Master of Divinity degree.

After graduation he was appointed as the associate pastor of the Destin United Methodist Church where he served for two years.

In 1999 he was ordained an elder in the Alabama West Florida Conference and was appointed to the Bethel United Methodist Church in Ozark, Alabama.

Rev. Sweet has been very active within our conference, having served as assistant dean to the Cooperative School of Mission in 2001 and dean of the school in 2002. He served as the spiritual director of the Blue Lake Emmaus Community in 2002.

Bob and his wife, Rhoda, have three children: Nicole Aldridge (and husband Shane), Heather Morgan (and husband John), and Robert Sweet III; and one granddaughter, Savannah. Bob enjoys reading, college football (especially Tennessee football), and the great outdoors.

 

Thom Dumas was raised in Grove Hill, Alabama, where he graduated from Clarke County High School in 2002. While there, Thom played football for four years, was Spanish Club president, a member of Beta Club, student body president, and FCA president.

He earned a B.S. degree from the University of Mobile in 2007 and is a member of Theta Alpha Kappa theological honor society. At the Christian university he was the UM mascot "Mac" the ram for two years. He served as President Pro-Tempore of the very first UM Senate. He was co-founder of FCA International, a ministry designed specifically for the university's international students involved in the athletic program.

Thom joined the staff of Providence United Methodist Church in June of 2007, walking in to a United Methodist Church for the first time in his life when he entered the doors of Providence. He has taken a very active roll at Providence and helps the students with multiple service projects, leading Sunday night youth services, taking students on spiritual retreats including ski trips, summer camp, and inner tubing. Thom is also active on school campuses, serving as the campus coach for Spanish Fort Middle School and Spanish Fort High School First Priority clubs. As such he gives direction to the leadership teams, oversees weekly meetings, and helps the members with outreach opportunities.

 In his free time Thom enjoys singing in the PUMC Choir, reading, watching "The Office" and "30 Rock," and playing with his nephews. He also serves as a Co-Chair of the Eastern Shore Relay for Life.

"My whole approach to ministry and life is about building relationships. If you show people you care and let them see your faith in your lifestyle, it's much more effective than yelling at them on the street corners. People want to know that you're real and authentic, not perfect and fake," Thom says. "My goal for ministry is to help people develop a deep and authentic relationship with Jesus Christ and discover the talents and abilities with which God has gifted them."