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 has been married to Rhoda for 29 years. They have three children: Nicole Aldridge (and husband Shane), Heather Sweet, and Robert Sweet III; and one granddaughter, Savannah. Bob enjoys reading, college football (especially Tennessee football), and the great outdoors.