Faculty Information

Karen Baker-Fletcher is Professor of Systematic of Theology at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. She is on her way to completing a Certificate in Spiritual Direction at Perkins. In her early adult life she was ordained and served as a Deacon in the American Baptist tradition in Massachusetts. Since 1995 she has been a member of United Methodist Churches and currently she is a member of St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church in Dallas, TX. Her interests include Christian and interfaith spiritual practices, constructive/systematic theologies, ecological-theology, historical theology, theology and literature, feminist and womanist theologies, and global theologies. She is the author of Sisters of Dust, Sisters of the Spirit: Womanist Wordings on God and Creation, (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Fortress Press, 1998), Dancing With God: Womanist Reflections on the Trinity (Louisville, Kentucky: Chalice Press, 2006) and several other books and articles on systematic theology, faith, and freedom. Married to Garth Baker-Fletcher, together they are the proud parents of three adult children.

Ruben L.F. Habito, Director of Spiritual Formation, is Professor of World Religions and Spirituality at Perkins School of Theology. He served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs from 2005 to 2008. Before coming to Perkins in 1989, he was a member of the Society of Jesus for twenty-five years, and taught at the Jesuit-administered Sophia University in Japan. He also directs the Certification in Spiritual Direction program of Perkins School of Theology, under the Office of External Programs. Serving as Guiding Teacher of Maria Kannon Zen Center, he leads weekly meditation sessions and silent retreats several times a year. Married to Maria Reis Habito, together they are the proud parents of two adult sons.

Brian holds two degrees from SMU and is a clergyperson of the United Methodist flavor. As the Director of HeartPaths DFW, he teaches contemplative prayer, leads in the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius, and trains spiritual directors. He loves accompanying the discovery of next phases of calling. He enjoys a quiet walk by the sea or a family hike in the mountains. Some favorite spiritual practices include lectio divina, journaling, Ignatian examen, and music. Since God’s unconditional love is such good news, our communion with God in prayer can be an endless feast!

Rev. Stephanie Scott B.S. CSD, CSF, CCE, Is an ordained Deacon who undertook her theological studies at Perkins. She is certified in Christian Education and trained in Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Direction. Retired from serving the local Church, she serves as the Director of Course of Study in the Texas Annual Conference, has been an instructor for Course of Study both at Perkins Regional School and in the Texas Annual Conference Extension School. She is presently a facilitator/instructor for Spiritual Formation in the Perkins Houston/Galveston Extension School. She has been married to David for almost fifty years and resides in League City, Texas where she spends a lot of her time with her grandson.

A second career pastor, the Reverend Lillian Smith was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, USA in 2011. She earned a Master of Divinity with a Certificate in Pastoral Care at Perkins School of Theology, a Degree in the Art of Spiritual Direction (DASD) at San Francisco Theological Seminary, and studied supervision with Together in the Mystery. She completed her Doctor of Ministry at Perkins with an emphasis in Spiritual Formation. Lil spent three years in pastoral ministry at Highland Springs Senior Living in North Dallas.  In 2015 she became a part-time Parish Associate of Spiritual Life at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church in Richardson. As a retreat leader, spiritual director and supervisor Lil shares with others her passion for the Christian spiritual life. She is active on the Board of Directors for Spiritual Ministries Institute, in the Richardson Interfaith Alliance (RIA) and on the board of Compassionate DFW. Lil has been married to her husband, Greg, 25 years. They have three children, Will (21), Ali (18), and Dean (16). She loves to play tennis, cook, swim, create new things, and take walks with her family.

Rev. Mary Tumulty is a retreat leader, spiritual director, and is the Texas Annual Conference Response Team Coordinator, also serving as a Clergy Sexual Ethics Trainer. A cradle Methodist, she is a second generation Houstonian, fifth generation Texan, wife, mother and grandmother. A Deacon in full connection, she is currently appointed to First Methodist Conroe. Her areas of responsibility are Discipleship and Worship, both of which she dearly loves. Mary has been serving as Spiritual Formation facilitator for Perkins Houston-Galveston students since 2007, and has found joy in the different relationships found in each group. Every year brings new relationships and new discoveries in God's grace and love on the journey of spiritual formation. In 2017, she retired after serving 22 years as the Director of Christian Education Certification Seminars at Perkins. Mary and her husband Dave have been married for 51 years and currently live in The Woodlands, Texas. They have three grown children, four grandchildren and two very naughty cats.