Pastor Steve joined our pastoral team on March 15, 2020. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, his family emigrated to Canada in 1967 and moved to the Chicopee area of Kitchener in 1972. He graduated from Eastwood Collegiate Institute, Kitchener, class of 1982. He is a graduate of London Baptist Bible College and Seminary with both a Bachelor of Theology and a Master of Divinity. He is also a graduate of Detroit Baptist Seminary with a Master of Theology and from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary with a Doctor of Ministry. Pastor Steve brings 32 years of previous pastoral experience to his ministry at First.
Pastor Steve has been married to his dear wife Marlene since 1985. He is also blessed with two children—his son David (with wife Kyla and granddaughter Olivia) and his daughter Melissa.
Pastor Andy joined the pastoral team as Associate Pastor in January of 2012. He and his wife Michelle are blessed with two sons; Samuel and Jacob. Pastor Andy was born and raised in Niagara Falls, Ontario in a loving home, with an Italian Roman Catholic background. He is a graduate of New Brunswick Bible Institute’s three-year Program, as well as their fourth-year Advanced Biblical Ministry Program, where he received a Bachelor of Theology degree from Covington Theological Seminary.
His main responsibilities are overseeing the Persian Ministry, Evangelism/Discipleship Ministry, Men’s Ministry, and Administration.
Pastor Paul joined the pastoral team as Associate Pastor in December of 2018. He was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Korean Bible University, as well as a Master of Divinity from Heritage Theological Seminary. He was a Youth Pastor in several Korean churches in Vancouver, Hamilton, and Waterloo from 2000 to 2014, mentoring and discipling youth to mature in their Christian life. He and his wife Kristine have three children; Joel, Joanne, and Jane.
His primary area of responsbility at First Baptist Church is pastoring our Korean Ministry. His vision for the Korean Ministry is to build up a church that is full of the grace of God, devoted to evangelism, and growing in the Christian faith through discipleship, fellowship, and showing love and care for one another.
Pastor Matt is the newest member of our pastoral team, having accepted the call on February 7 of this year. He and his wife Bethany come to us from Didsbury, Alberta. Matthew graduated from Word of Life Bible Institute, then completed his Bachelor of Theology, Diploma of Advanced Biblical Studies, and Associate Diploma of Biblical & Theological Studies from New Brunswick Bible Institute. Both he and Bethany grew up in Christian homes, and trusted Christ as young children. Both learned as young teens to serve in the church and were very involved in Christian day camps. They met while students in their first year at NBBI. They were married on July 25, 2020 in Alberta.
Matthew's primary focus is leading our APEX youth ministry. He and Bethany are currently living in Wellesley, to the west of Waterloo.
Cathy joined our staff team in August of 2019. She oversees all ministries relating to children aged 2 to age 12.
Cathy grew up in the state of Maine. She attended New Brunswick Bible Institute for three years. At NBBI, she met and later married her husband, Terry. They have one daughter, Brianna who attends NBBI. Cathy has spent over thirty years in children’s ministries. She has been involved with children’s ministries in the local church, on a short–term missions trip, and in camp ministries.
Having accepted Christ as her personal Saviour at a young age, she believes children need to learn of God’s love while they are young. She sees children as an important part of the church family.
Jennifer has worked in the office at First Baptist Church since 2009. She also facilitates the Ladies’ Morning Bible Study at FBC, and helps to teach the JK/SK “Gophers” group on Wednesday nights.
Jennifer enjoys trying new recipes, listening to worship music, coffee, ladies’ ministry and studying God’s Word. She is married to Kevin and has two daughters, Rachel and Abbie.
Jaramie Van Der Linde has been working at First Baptist Church since August of 2015. She has a focus on graphic design and media, designing most of our weekly social media and live stream graphics, as well as promotional material for various ministries and events, including brochures, handouts, posters, and videos.
Jaramie attended the Word of Life Bible Institute in Owen Sound, Ontario. Following her year at the Bible Instute, she interned in Word Of Life Fellowship's Media/Tech Department. She is married to her husband, Marcel, and both are involved in in our APEX Youth Ministry, as well as various other areas of ministry at First Baptist Church.
Jolene joined our staff in March of 2022. She placed her faith in Christ as a young child, and since her teen years has been very involved in the music ministry at several churches and Bible camps. She graduated from Northland Baptist Bible College in Dunbar, Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and Piano Pedagogy. Jolene's primary responsibility is coordinating the music ministry at FBC. Her vision for this ministry is to help our congregation see and savour (and sing to) Jesus Christ.
Jolene is married to Jesse and they have been blessed with three children: Erika, Ryan, and Shawn.