The Rev. Robert P. Goolsby (Bob) was born and raised in the Ft. Lauderdale area of South Florida. He is married to Karla who is a native Texan and serves as a church communications director. Karla has a son, who is presently serving the U.S. Navy in Afghanistan, and a daughter who is a teacher in Austin; making Bob a proud step-dad.

Growing up in the Diocese of Southeast Florida, Bob served as an assistant minister to youth at Holy Sacrament Church in Pembroke Pines and later served as high school youth director at St. Mary Magdalene in Coral Springs. In 2002, he earned his B.A. in Psychology at the University of Central Florida in Orlando and served as acolyte master at St. Richard’s in Winter Park.

Bob graduated in 2005 from the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas, with a Master of Divinity. During seminary, Bob served at St. Mark’s in San Marcos ministering to the junior high and high school youth, preparing them for Confirmation. He was ordained as a Deacon by Bishop Leo Frade at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Boca Raton, Florida on April 17, 2005 and ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop Don Wimberly at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Kingwood, Texas on November 2, 2005 where he served as the Assistant to the Rector. There he had a successful ministry to families with children and young adults, provided pastoral care, Christian education and formation, and ministered to the youth and Day School.

Bob came to St. Christopher’s as the seventh Rector in September of 2008, the weekend of Hurricane Ike. Bob’s passion in ministry involves bringing people into the presence of God through worship and liturgy, Christian Education, Christian service, and Evangelism. His faith in God and firm commitment to Jesus Christ is rooted in prayer, scripture, and the rich heritage and tradition of The Episcopal Church.