Rev. Roderick D. Dawson is a native of Houston, Texas. He attended public schools in the Houston Independent School District and is a graduate of Stephen P. Waltrip  High School. Rev. Dawson received an undergraduate degree from Texas Southern University.  He continued his education at the Houston Graduate School of Theology.  He hails from a lineage of ministers who preached the gospel following the in the footsteps of  his father and grandfather. Rev. Dawson received his call to ministry at the age of seventeen (17) years old.

He has served the African Methodist Episcopal Church in numerous pastoral capacities. His appointments  include Stearne Chapel AME Church,  Bryan, Texas; St. Luke AME Church, Houston, Texas; First Community AME Church,  Missouri City, Texas;  Zion Temple AME Church, Brazoria, Texas and St. Paul AME Church in Houston, Texas.

Pastor Dawson diligently serves in other capacities such as the  Chairman for the Texas Conference Trustees of the African Methodist Episcopal Church,  Chairman  for the Texas Conference Board of Examiners of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and General Board Member for the  African Methodist Episcopal Church.  His civic duties include being a Board Member of Greenspoint Redevelopment Authority Board and a Board Member of the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone with the City of Houston.

Pastor Dawson is married to Stacey Lynn Pryor Dawson.  They are the proud parents of two sons: Marsalis and Madison. God has charged Pastor Dawson with the restoration of the traditional family as described in the book of Genesis. Through God’s leading, he has deemed the mission of the St. Paul AME Church to be, “A church that ministers to  the intellectual, spiritual, and physical needs of every man, woman, and child through the teaching of Biblical principles. Biblical principles that enlighten and enhance one’s personal life to exemplify Jesus Christ in every way”.