Rev. John E. Boyd became Senior Minister of First Baptist Church Halifax on August 1, 1988. He is a graduate of Acadia 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 such 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).

John and his wife, Debbie, have three grown children - Tony, Adam and Alaina.

In July of 2009, Rev. Renée Clark began serving as our Associate Minister, CE. Renée was born and raised in Cape Breton, and was baptized and received into the membership of Calvary Baptist Church in North Sydney at the age of nineteen. She holds a B.A. (1998) in English Literature from UCCB (now CBU), and an M. Div. (2002) with concentrations in CE and Pastoral Ministry from Acadia Divinity College.

Renée’s first pastorate was the Tancook Islands Pastorate, where she served from 2003 to 2006, and she was ordained by these congregations in 2005. In 2006 she was called to pastor the Freeport and Tiverton United Baptist Churches on Long Island, with whom she ministered until coming to us at First Baptist.

She is active in community organizations, and in Baptist life with the Atlantic Baptist Fellowship and both the Alumni and the Senate of Acadia Divinity College. Though her experience has been in solo pastoral ministry, Christian Education was a significant part of both her call and her training, and she looks forward to renewing this focus at First Baptist.

When not enjoying the company of friends and family, she and her labradoodle Callie may be found exploring the area coastline in pursuit of salt air and seagulls!

We are delighted to announce Lynette Wahlstrom, as our Director of Music. Lynette has been with us since February and we have enjoyed her talents and the many gifts she has brought to the position of Interim Director of Music. Her credentials include a Bachelor of Music from Brandon University, a Licentiate in Piano Performance from McGill University, a Master of Music in piano performance from University of Montreal, as well as Master of Music in Piano Accompaniment from McGill University. She previously has been the Music Director/Organist at Beaconsfield United Church, Westmount Park United Church and St. Clement's Anglican Church, Verdun. Lynette will continue as a member of Dalhousie's Department of Music as Collaborative Pianist in addition to her duties here. Thank you Lynette for agreeing to serve here at FBC! (16 July 2009)