Our Staff

Rev. Dr. Das Sydney

Minister contact Das

Das has lived most of his life in Canada, but his country of birth is India and he spent most of his teen years in Africa. He received his undergraduate and post-graduate degrees at the University of Toronto (B.Sc., Th.M), McMaster (M.Div.) and Northern Baptist in Chicago (D.Min.). He is married to Angela, a Registered Nurse, and they have three children. He enjoys preaching and teaching, but more than anything else, delights in seeing transformation in human lives and in the church. He enjoys painting and golf, but those close to him have told him not to leave his day job anytime soon!

Rev. Dr. Max DeWolfe

Minister Emeritus

Max was born in New Brunswick. He trained for the ministry at Acadia University where he received his B.A., B.D. He was ordained to the Baptist ministry in 1940, and served in pastorates in the Maritime Provinces, Quebec and Ontario. He also served as a Chaplain to the Canadian Army during WW II, and in the YMCA War Services. In 1964 Acadia University granted him an honorary D.D. In 1981 He and his wife Margaret retired in Kitchener -Waterloo where they were involved in interim pastoral ministry including three terms at Highland Baptist Church.

Rev. Dianne Cunningham

Congregational Life Pastor contact Dianne

Dianne has lived in Kitchener since the late 1990s when she moved here to join the faculty of Emmanuel Bible College. Most of her professional life has centered around the church in various areas of ministry. She was a missionary educator in Nigeria, a pastor to International students in California and a teacher of those preparing for ministry in the church for nearly 20 years. Dianne has completed graduate and postgraduate studies at Sioux Falls Baptist Seminary (MA Religious Studies), Fuller Theological Seminary (MA Missiology) and McMaster Divinity College (ThM). Apart from ministry in the church Dianne enjoys camping with Amos her standard poodle, biking, reading and crossword puzzles.

Allison O’Connell

Youth Director contact Allison

Allison was born in London, Ontario, where she spent most of her life. The last four years of her life have been spent in Manitoba at Providence College where she just recently graduated with her B.A. in Youth Leadership and Minor in Psychology. Allison has spent many years being involved with children’s and youth ministries and is looking forward to applying the knowledge she gained as a volunteer and in her program to her position at Highland Baptist. She has a passion for teaching and explain the word of God and desires to see young people grow in their faith as they are challenged to make this faith their own and live it out each day. Allison also enjoys playing sports, especially soccer as well as canoeing, reading and spending time with friends and family.

Jen Barg

Director of Children’s Ministries contact Jen

Jennifer grew up in Milton, Ontario, and now lives in Kitchener with her husband Dave and 2 boys. Jennifer graduated from the University of Waterloo (Undergraduate in Psychology) and from McMaster Divinity College in 2000 with a Master of Divinity. Her interests in Ministry have been diverse, serving as a Student Chaplain at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton, through Missions to Bolivia, and recently in large church ministry settings with Youth. She enjoys her new challenge of ministry to children and their families at Highland. Her passion for ministry ranges from seeing people’s lives changed by God in His very unique ways to working with volunteers to help them discover their gifts for ministry. Jennifer also loves to decorate in her not-so-spare-time, writing, and spending time outdoors chasing her boys.

Rev. Nicu Brinda

Minister of Hope Romanian Church

519-745-0853

Born in Romania, began his ministry at Maranatha Baptist Church in Arad, Romania. He graduated from BEE International in Klosterneuburg, Austria, and continued with the Biblical and Pastoral Baptist Institute in Algrange, France. He also received a Diploma of Theological Studies from The Romanian Theological Institute of Hollywood, Florida. In 1997 he started his ministry for the Hope Romanian congregation at Highland Baptist Church. He is married to Doina who is a dental assistant and they have one son. Nicu’s mission is to encourage young Romanians to dedicate themselves to Bible Study and through this lead many other Romanians to search for God. Nicu Brinda invita toti Rominii in al Preamari pe Dumnezeu impreuna.

Carol & Norman Giesbrecht

Directors of Music contact Carol & Norm

Norman and Carol were born in Saskatchewan and Ontario respectively, but they met in Manitoba. Both hold degrees from Wilfred Laurier University (B.A, Music), ARCTs in piano and voice and teaching degrees from the University of Saskatchewan (Norman) and the University of Manitoba (Carol). Both spent many years as performers and educators, Carol in the public school systems in Manitoba and Ontario, Norman in the music business world. Their hearts have always been given to the music of the church. When not doing music, Norman loves to golf and ride his bike, Carol to quilt and read. They have two children and three grandchildren.

Lindaree Matthews

Church Ministry Assistant contact the Office

Lindaree says that she has been at Highland forever, but she loves her job and is eager to be of service to you. She is married to Ted, and they have three busy daughters. She graduated in Psychology at Laurier (a long time ago), but declares that she has learned a lot more about people on the job, then at school.

Stan Lussa

Custodian

Stan is a native of Poland and is married to Carola. They have two children and five grandchildren. Stan loves to fish. So if you don’t see him busy around the church making sure that everything is ship shape, he’s gone fishing!