Faculty and Staff
BHS faculty and staff help students refine their calling, articulate their beliefs, develop necessary skills, and navigate the professional landscape after graduation.
Rev. Dr. Kate Hanch
Director
Rev. Dr. Kate Hanch serves as Director of the Baptist House of Studies. She holds a B.A. from Missouri Baptist University, an M.Div. from Central Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
A scholar, pastor, and writer, Dr. Hanch teaches and speaks widely for both academic and congregational audiences. Her particular areas of expertise and publication include:
- Women and Christianity
- World Religions
- Youth Development
- Christian Histories
- Social Justice
- Women in Faith and Mission
Dr. Hanch is the author of Storied Witness: The Theology of Black Women Preachers in 19th Century America (Fortress Press, 2022), and she is a regular contributor to Baptist News Global.
An experienced minister and educator, she serves as Associate Pastor at First St. Charles United Methodist Church, lectures frequently at the Baptist Seminary of Kentucky, and is an active member of the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion.
Rev. Dr. George Mason
Lead Advisor
Founder and President of Faith Commons, Pastor Emeritus Wilshire Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. George A. Mason served as the senior pastor of Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas from 1989-2021 and continues to be a leader among progressive Baptists affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Fellowship Southwest. He helped create the Affirming Network of CBF and continues to serve as an advisor in their efforts toward full inclusion of LGBTQ ministers in Baptist life. George began a pastoral residency program at Wilshire in 2002 called Pathways to Ministry. In 2018, George founded Faith Commons, a multi-faith, multi-ethnic nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing faith to bear for the sake of the common good. He serves as the group’s president and is the host of its weekly program Good God, conversations about faith and public life.
He graduated from the University of Miami (FL) with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, and then received Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.