Born in Fayetteville, TN, Mansfield embarked on a journey in ministry with his ordination in 1973, beginning as a student minister in both the United Methodist and Unitarian Universalist traditions. He earned ordination as a UU Minister on Nov. 28, 1976, and achieved a Full Ministerial Fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association in 1980. Mansfield’s educational journey led him through Martin College, Pulaski, TN, and Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN, with additional ministerial training at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, and a Masters of Divinity (M.Div) from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH. Later, Doak Mansfield earned a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Donaldson, IN.