THE PASTOR
REV. TANYA MASON
Rev. Mason is the daughter of the late William and Regina Mason of Nashville, Tennessee. As a native of Nashville, she was educated in the Davidson County Public Schools. Having the desire to serve her country, she served in the United States Army as a nurse and Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of the Immunization Clinic at Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital.
Rev. Mason holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical and Theological Studies acquired at American Baptist College (Nashville, TN) and a Master of Divinity degree from Payne Theological Seminary (Wilberforce, OH).
In 2019, Rev. Mason was ordained an Itinerant Deacon by Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath. In 2020, she was appointed pastor of Canaan AME Church (Columbia, TN) where she loved the members, preached the word of God, and faithfully provided for the spiritual care of the congregation. In 2021, she was ordained an Itinerant Elder by Bishop E. Anne Henning Byfield, Presiding Prelate, Thirteenth Episcopal District. Rev. Mason currently serves as pastor of Bethel Chapel AME Church (Columbia, TN), where she joins other women making "Herstory", as the first woman appointed to lead the congregation.
Rev. Mason is committed to being a Servant Leader. Cognizant of the importance of women having opportunities and support in ministry, she served as Secretary of the Tennessee Annual Conference Women In Ministry (WIM). Her love and compassion for others, especially the most vulnerable of society, afforded her the opportunity to serve on the MyRide Tennessee Steering Committee (Maury County), a state program that provides assisted door-through-door transportation services to residents age 60 and above in an effort to bring the community additional independence and improved quality of life. Rev. Mason has many notable recognitions for her service to others including being appointed to the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, which is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky in recognition of an individual's accomplishments and outstanding service to the community, state, and nation. Additionally, as a person of faith, and one whose personal life is grounded in prayer, Rev. Mason serves on the Prayer Formation Ministry of the 13th Episcopal District, Tennessee Annual Conference.
Rev. Mason enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Her favorite scripture is John 8:36 - “Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” Rev. Mason's proclamation is emphatically freedom is found in Jesus Christ. She is the proud mother of a son, Denzel.
