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Rev. Susan DeFoe Dunlap grew up at the Berkley First United Methodist Church, and after graduation
from Berkley High School, Summa Cum Laude, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Albion College.
Her seminary education was at Boston University School of Theology, where she graduated with honors in 1976.
Susan (not Sue) has served four churches in the Detroit Conference: Denton Faith (1976-1983),
Detroit Mount Hope (1983-1989), Trenton Faith (1989-1999), and Royal Oak First (1999-2008).
In addition, she has at various times served on the Board of Ordained Ministry, chaired that board’s
Reading Committee, served on the board of the Mission and Church Extension Trust Fund, the District
Boards of Ministry of both the Detroit East, Detroit West and Ann Arbor districts. Additionally, she
was active in clergy associations at every church she served.
Rev. Susan K. DeFoe married Rev. Marshall G. Dunlap in 1985, and they have served as co-pastors with
various configurations of full and part time, since July 1, 1986. The Revs. Marshall and Susan Dunlap
are the parents of four college aged children. Danny, Molly, Libby and Larry.
Rev. Marshall G. Dunlap grew up at Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Detroit, from the time his
father had to leave the active ministry in 1964 with a heart condition, complicated by Polycystic
Kidney Disease. He graduated from Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Cum Laude, from Albion College
Cum Laude, and from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. in 1983, with highest honors.
Marshall has served four churches in the Detroit Conference: Detroit Thoburn (1983-1986), Detroit
Mount Hope (1986-1989), Trenton Faith (1989-1999), and Royal Oak First (1999-2008). Beyond the local
church, Marshall was also appointed less than full time as the first Detroit Annual Conference Pension
Officer, from 1999-2006. He has served on both the Detroit East and Detroit West District Councils on
Ministry, was the Detroit West District Youth Coordinator, briefly chaired the Detroit West District
Leadership Team, and was recently honored as the co-recipient of the John Buxton Award for creative
financial leadership, for his role in creating a relationship with the Virginia Annual Conference that
effectively allows the Detroit Conference to gain greater access to approximately $5.3 million annually
that had been in a severely restricted account for which the conference had sought access for decades.
At Dearborn, Susan will serve 3/4 time, and Marshall will serve 1/4 time. Exactly how these hours will
be served will likely change through the years, but the plan is for Susan to be the primary pastor,
preaching and serving in many of the ways you expect of your senior pastor. Marshall will serve more
like a on site consultant, working regularly with the Finance Committee, Trustees and in the area of
stewardship. Additionally, he has a passion for youth and camping, so will likely find a way to relate
occasionally to the youth when there are retreat or other events he can participate in, without slighting
his responsibilities as the 3/4 time pastor at Harper Woods: Redeemer, where he will be every Sunday.
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