Bankhead has been an active pastor for nearly 40 years, and has served Presbyterian congregations in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. He is a graduate of Davidson College (B.A.), Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.), McCormick Theological Seminary (D.Min.), and the University of Basel, Switzerland (D.Th.). Bankhead is currently the Chaplain of the International Seamen's Service in Wilmington, North Carolina.