Reverend Dr. Dale M. Weatherspoon, a native San Franciscan, born and raised in Jones Memorial United Methodist Church, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from College of Notre Dame in Belmont, California in 1994, his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC in 1999 and 2013, respectively. Since 1999, he has served in four cross-racial and cross-cultural appointments in the California-Nevada Annual conference and since 2017 is serving Easter Hill United Methodist Church in Richmond, California, an historically and predominately African American congregation open to all people.
He was a senior trainer with i-Relate.org, an Intercultural Leadership Institute that provided training for the California-Nevada Annual Conference for over 15 years. He continues to facilitate trainings in other annual conferences in the United States, Europe and for secular organizations. His cultural competency training includes studies at the Intercultural Communication Institute and the Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication. He is co-author of the recently published book, “Building Lasting Bridges; An Updated Handbook for Intercultural Ministries”.
Pastor Dale was president of the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) board, the only family shelter in West Contra Costa County. He is also a community organizer. He has a passion for justice ministry, loves traveling, and teaching. He sees himself as a cultural bridge person who works to help people see not only their commonalities but to appreciate and value their differences. He believes that only in community and in service together can we grow in our love for one another and deepen our trust in God.
Pastor Dale is married to the Rev. Dr. Debbie Weatherspoon. They are blessed with two wonderful sons.