Love God.  Love neighbor.

"The only thing that counts is faith working through love." - Galatians 5:6

OAPC Welcomes Rev. Letarshia Cole Robinson

Associate Pastor of Care and Mission

Letarshia Cole Robinson grew up among a close-knit family on a migrant camp and farm in Upstate New York, along with her eight older siblings and parents. She and her siblings enjoy time together and this relationship

has always been important to Letarshia. It has provided the emotional and spiritual support that she has

needed throughout her life.

She was raised in the Church of God in Christ faith tradition which shaped and formed who she is in Christ.

It is her faith upbringing, both in the church and at home, that she learned she was loved by God, forgiven

by God, and accepted by God in and through Jesus Christ. Letarshia has never known a life apart from God’s

Spirit. Even now in the Reformed faith tradition, she is still grateful for the faith tradition where she learned to

walk with God every day.

 Letarshia is married to her best friend, Eric, which is her most important relationship. Marriage is something

that she and Eric work on daily through prayer, patience, understanding and compassion. They have cultivated

a strong marriage that opens space for both to be who they are as individuals and united as a couple. God has blessed their marriage, allowing them to be a blessing to others, demonstrating invaluable lessons about God’s

love, forbearance, and boundless grace; about friendship and faithfulness, and about living in community

and fellowship. 

Letarshia is a graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary, Charlotte with a Master of Arts in Christian Education

and a Master of Divinity. In addition, she is also a graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and English. 

Letarshia has spent most of her early career inspiring young minds as an elementary school teacher. Teaching and learning with her students was always such a joy. In her last teaching experience, she taught at a Christian school. Along with teaching all academic areas, she had the opportunity to nurture the faith of her students and their families, helping them cultivate their lives of faith as disciples of Jesus Christ and exploring what that means. She also had daily opportunities to provide care to her colleagues—a listening ear, an intercessory prayer, or someone

to encourage them. In her final year of teaching, she was named Teacher of the Year, which was such an honor, considering the wealth of excellent educators she served with. 

 In addition to serving many churches across Providence Presbytery as Pulpit Supply, bivocationally, Letarshia served the congregation at Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church, Lancaster as their Student Supply Pastor, where she had opportunities to plan and lead worship, minister God’s Word to the congregation, facilitate Bible study, connect with the members, and provide care for them. She was blessed to see how God worked in and through

the congregation at Pleasant Ridge.

Most recently, as Temporary Supply Associate Pastor at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, she has worked alongside Deacons, Stephen Ministers, and the many volunteers of OAPC’s care ministries as they provide care

 to members of the congregation. Letarshia’ s passion is pastoral care, and the place she feels most

pressed by God's call. 

In addition to extending care and compassion to the congregation, Letarshia has provided support to the Mission Team in their work to strengthen the church’s mission and ministry in the community. In her role at OAPC, she

has been so much more than a temporary supply Pastor. Letarshia has been an active, vibrant, and engaging leader

at OAPC. She maintains an active role in the life of the church and in the community the church serves in

Christ's name. Letarshia was ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament by Providence Presbytery in July 2023.

She is a faithful member of Providence Presbytery, where she joyfully serves on multiple committees and

ministry teams. 

 In her spare time, Letarshia writes for Presbyterian Outlook and enjoys walking outside, reading, movies, coffee shop hopping, playing her ukulele and dabbling in artwork.

Please go to the Events tab for more details and links to these upcoming events.