Rev. John E. Boyd became Senior Minister of First Baptist Church Halifax on August 1, 1988. He is a graduate ofAcadia University (B.A. '71, M.Div. '74) and was ordained in the United Baptist Church, Windsor, NS on September 10, 1974.

John is currently a member of the Racism Working Group of the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches, the Acadia University Board of Governors, the Atlantic Baptist Fellowship Executive, the Board of Directors of the Alliance of Baptists, the Atlantic Ecumenical Council, the Interfaith Council of Halifax and the Halifax South End Clergy Association.

Over the years John has been active in such denominational, ecumenical and interfaith groups, and community organizations as Baptist Associations, the Atlantic Baptist Fellowship, the Trustees of Acadia Divinity College, the Atlantic Ecumenical Council, the Highland View Hospital Pastoral Care Department and the Board of the Children's Aid Society of Halifax.

Prior to coming to Halifax John served pastorates in Mahone Bay/Northwest/New Cornwall (1974-82) and First Baptist Church, Amherst, NS (1982-88).

First Baptist Church Halifax is currently seeking a Minister of Christian Education and Associate Minister. More information on this search will be posted soon.

On November 1, 2007, Mr. John Gahan began his ministry at First Baptist as interim Director of Christian Education on a part time (25 hr./wk) basis.

John came to First Baptist after many years as a Jesuit priest in the Roman Catholic Church. Here in Halifax he served as Chaplain at St. Mary's University for two years in the mid-90s, and later as Pastor of the Canadian Martyrs Parish. Most recently, John was Pastor of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Wolfville, N. S. from which he resigned in 2006, resigning from the Jesuit order and the Catholic priesthood as well.

John is interested in spirituality, Jungian psychology, adult education, children and youth ministries and ecumenism. He has expressed great appreciation for Baptist emphases on freedom of conscience, congregational government and the priesthood of all believers.

Born in Northern Ontario, Allen R. Wayte began his music career as a choirboy at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco. Musical studies in organ and harpsichord performance, brought him home to Canada, and later England. While in England, Mr. Wayte studied improvisation with the then organist of Ely Cathedral, Dr. A Wills.

Upon his return to Canada he held positions in Ontario including that of Organist and Master of the Gentlemen and Boys of St. Peters, Brockville. In the summer of 1997, Allen was appointed the Director of Music at First Baptist, Halifax. His duties include the administration of a music programme that includes four choirs, a concert series and regular organ recitals.

For the 2006-2007 academic year, he was appointed University Musician at the Atlantic School of Theology. At AST his time was spent playing for daily Chapel and teaching in the foundation year programme. As an active recitalist and accompanist, he has recorded for both Vision and CBC television, and CBC Radio 2. He has performed for such gatherings as the National Convention of the Royal Canadian College of Organists and the Global Convention of the Hymn Society. Mr Wayte is known for his electric and exciting improvisations on the organ and his ability to programme ideas that inform and engage the audience. Allen has successfully presented recitals on such topics as the "Sinking of the Titanic" and the use of fiction, as with his recital using the text of "Lord of the Rings". Mr Wayte conducts two community based choirs, the Chebucto Singers and Seton Cantata Choir. As a choral director, Mr. Wayte has achieved acclaim as a conductor who obtains the best from the singers under his control. Allen maintains an active studio of organ and piano students.