The Pastor's Page
Rev. Robin Barge
Rev. Robin L. Barge (aka Pastor Robin) grew up in North Carolina—home of sweet tea, barbecue, and the Duke Blue Devils. She was baptized and confirmed at Clemmons United Methodist Church in Clemmons, NC, where she first learned the stories of Jesus, was mentored by wonderful teachers, and joined a life-changing high school summer mission trip.
Robin is a graduate of Greensboro College, a small United Methodist college, where she earned a degree in Religion. She later received her Master of Divinity from Duke University Divinity School in 2004. In 2007, she was ordained as an Elder in the Western North Carolina Conference and went on to serve seven churches in a variety of ministry contexts—rural, suburban, urban, and multi-point charges.
Robin has also served as the Director of Age-Level Ministries at Blacksburg UMC, as Pastor of St. Paul UMC in Roanoke, and as the Director of Communications and Programming for the Valley Ridge District.
Pastor Robin assumed her duties at Northview on July 1, 2025 and her first Sunday service was July 6, 2025.
She is married to Alex, and together they have a blended family with four teenage children. Robin finds joy in connecting scripture with real life, telling meaningful stories, and expressing her faith through creative outlets like art and music. She would love the chance to connect with you.
Email Pastor Robin Barge here.
Robin’s favorite scripture:
“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine.”
—Ephesians 3:20 (NRSVUE)
Pastor Robin's Contact Info:
Voice/text: (336) 682-6297
Email: RobinBarge@vaumc.org
A Message from Pastor Robin
Coming in Lent: Purple Theory Series
For a time, I worked out at a fitness center called Orange Theory. You may have heard of it, seen it, wondered, like I did–why orange and what is the theory? Orange theory workouts involve wearing a heart monitor during your exercise, and aiming to stay in a target heart zone called the “orange zone.” The orange zone is when your heart rate is about 80-90% of its maximum–working heart but not completely at capacity. And the “theory” is that when you work out and get your heart rate in the orange zone, your body will continue to work through an afterburn effect. In other words, work hard enough so that your body continues to work (burning fat and building muscle) in your times of rest. Work your heart hard enough, and it will be stronger.
We will be applying a similar metaphor to our spiritual life. Lent starts soon, and we will be in a series together called “Purple Theory.” This series will focus on the spiritual disciplines: self-examination, prayer, studying the scriptures, fasting, confession, and worship. Our hearts are longing for change, for transformation, and that begins with working out our hearts in the “purple zone.” Purple is the traditional color of Lent, and it symbolizes repentance and royalty. As followers of Christ the crucified King, we walk the journey of Lent in repentance and in grace. In this Lenten zone, we will work out our hearts through the practices of spiritual disciplines. And in doing so, we trust that God will continue to shape us and transform us through God’s grace.
This idea is not new. Holiness of heart and life is core to what it means to be United Methodist. John Wesley advocated for the practice of what he called “works of piety,” which are spiritual practices that become means of grace, or channels, for God’s grace in our lives. According to Dr. Laceye Warner in her book, Knowing Who We Are, “Means of grace are practices, recognized by Christian tradition, that help shape personal and communal faith.”
Lent is a wonderful time to look at our habits and explore new practices that help us grow in our relationship with God. Let’s get ready to bring our hearts into the purple zone.
Blessings,
Pastor Robin