(The Officers, Bulletin Editor and Members of Council are the voting members of the CABF Council and Directors of the CABF under the Societies Act of NS.)

 CABF COUNCIL

Officers

President - Rev. Hugh Kirkegaard, (2026) Bedford, NS   

Hugh is an ordained minister with the Canadian Association for Baptist Freedoms (CABF).   Hugh has been involved in correctional chaplaincy since 1978, when, as a university student, he began working as a volunteer in Dorchester Penitentiary.  He served as a prison chaplain in Dorchester, Springhill, Atlantic and Westmorland Institutions; and worked with the development of Community Chaplaincy in Moncton and Saint John.  While working as Toronto Community Chaplain in the 1990s,  Hugh co-founded Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) for high-risk offenders.  From 2000 he worked with the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) as Regional Chaplain for Ontario and Nunavut and taught in the Restorative Justice Program at Queen’s Theological College in Kingston, Ontario and in Durban, South Africa.  Since 2008 he has served as Regional Chaplain in the Atlantic Region for CSC.  He is based in Halifax and attends First Baptist Church.  In addition to being the President of CABF, he represents this national denominational body on the Governing Board of the Canadian Council of Churches. 

Vice President - Rev. John Perkin, (2026) Ottawa, ON

John Perkin is the Senior Minister of First Baptist Church Ottawa.  Prior to preparing for ministry he studied history at Acadia University, and graduate studies in Philosophy and Politics at the University of Manchester, followed by further graduate studies in Middle Eastern politics.  In preparation for ministry, he completed a Master of Divinity degree at McMaster Divinity College; he was ordained in Ontario in 1991.  John ministered in Winnipeg and in southern Ontario prior to taking a university appointment at Mount Allison University in 1993, where he served as University Chaplain and Adjunct Professor for twenty-seven years; on his retirement he was granted the designation of Chaplain Emeritus.  His scholarly work was primarily in the area of religion and culture, with a focus on apocalyptic studies. Active in his community wherever he lives, John has served with Palliative Care groups, Corrections Canada, and the New Brunswick school system.  A frequent spokesperson for religious topics in the media, he has been published in several newspapers and journals.  Married to Dodie (a recent Mount Allison graduate) for forty years, they have two children, Wray and Joanna; both are Mount Allison graduates.

 

Past President - Rev. Dr. Marlene Knowles, (2026) Wellington, NS

Marlene grew up in Yarmouth County and after receiving a BPE (UNB) and a BEd (MSVU) she taught for several years before answering the call to Christian Ministry.  Marlene received her MDiv from Acadia and was ordained in Windsor Baptist Church in 1998.  A life-long learner, she earned a MTh and a DMin (Acadia), the latter in 2022. Marlene served at Bayers Road, Windsor, South End Dartmouth and Sackville Baptist Churches and Chaplain at Oakwood Terrace Nursing Home for 5 years. In retirement she enjoys hiking, skiing, family times, road trips and travel. Marlene is a Mom of two and a grandmom (nana) of seven. She was the President of the CABF from 2021 to 2025.

  

 

Secretary - Rev. Dr. Mandi Hecht, (2027) Saskatoon, SK

Mandi is a prairie girl, born and raised in Saskatchewan.  She felt a call to vocational ministry in her youth, which she pursued in a circuitous way.  She graduated with a BSW in 2001 and worked in this field for a short time before the birth of her first child.  She began to pursue her theological education alongside being “mom” to her family which soon stretched to 3 children. She graduated in 2011 with her MDiv from Carey Theological College, and was ordained in a church in Wakaw, SK in 2003.  Her love of learning led her to pursue additional education at Northern Seminary, and she graduated with a DMin in New Testament Context in 2018.  She currently serves as the pastor of First Baptist Church in Saskatoon and is discovering with joy membership in the C-ABF.  In addition to ministry, she is leaning into what it means to be a leader who writes, and continually listening for and learning her place as an uninvited settler on the Canadian prairies.  She is married with 3 kids and 3 cats.

 

Treasurer - David Allen, (2027) Mahone Bay, NS

David has a life-time of experience in Baptist Churches having grown up as a "preacher's kid."  A retired educator and administrator, he brings his organizational talent to the work of Treasurer and has initiated our ability to receive funds electronically.  David and his wife, Joyce, herself a member of the CABF Council, are active in the Mahone Bay United Baptist Church and love to spend time at the cottage in Port Joli, NS.

 

Council Executive

Pursuant to Section 32. (a) of By-Law #3, Council may establish an Executive for the purpose of facilitating the work of Council and to reduce the number of Council Meetings requires to deal with routine matters between Council Meetings.  The Terms of Reference and Roles and Responsibilities for Council Executive have been approved by Councl and are included in the Policy and Procedures Manual.

Council Executive is composed of the Officers of the Association, with the power to add by resolution of Council. 

Bulletin Editor

Rev. Dr. Scott Kindred-Barnes, (on leave) Wolfville, NS

Scott was an amateur boxing champion before attending university. He completed BA and MDiv degrees from Acadia and MTh and PhD degrees from the University of Toronto. From 2011-2018 Scott served as the Minister at First Baptist Church Ottawa, before moving  to Wolfville where he now serves as the Senior Pastor of Canada’s oldest continuing Baptist Church. Scott and his wife, Kerry, have two children.

Pro Tem Bulletin Editor

  Rev. Dr. Mark Parent, Pereau, NS 

Mark grew up in Bolivia, South America. At age 17, he moved back to Canada. He attended the Baptist Leadership Training School in Calgary, Alberta. Mark obtained his  BA from York University, his M.Div. from Acadia Divinity School and his Ph.D. From McGill University. Mark has served Baptist churches in Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. In addition, he has taught at both Queen's University and Mount Allison University. After his wife Cathy's death, Mark ran for political office and served as the M.L.A. For Kings North and as Minister of Environment and Labour for the province of Nova Scotia. Mark remarried and with his new wife, Margie Jenkins they have five children and six grandchildren.

Members of Council

The CABF Council is composed of the Officers, the Bulletin Editor and the following members, all elected annually by the CABF Membership. 

Joyce Allen, (2027) Mahone Bay, NS

Joyce is an Acadia graduate in sociology whose initial career was in child protection with Family and Children’s Services, first in Kings County and later as a supervisor in Lunenburg County. After raising her family she re-entered the work force in the insurance business, eventually becoming office manager of five locations. Joyce has been active in the Mahone Bay UBC as Clerk and in the WMS, and has served on the executive of the Acadia Alumni and the Insurance Bureau of NS. Now retired, Joyce brings her organizational skills to the CABF as Membership Chair and is usually seen registering participants and signing up members at our various functions. Joyce and her husband, David, have two grown daughters and enjoy being grandparents.

 

 

Rev. Dr Ida Armstrong-Whitehouse, (2027) Stillwater Lake, NS

The Rev. Dr. Ida Armstrong-Whitehouse (B.A., M.Div., M.Th., D.Min.) was born in the Annapolis Valley, NS, close to Acadia University where she enjoyed both the beauty of the land and sea and the nurturing environment of that university.  In 1976, Ida was grateful and humbled to be one of the first 10 Baptist Ordained female pastoral ministers in Canada.  In the late 1970’s, Ida became involved in ABF, the forerunner of CABF.  She felt supported in this group when there was a movement within the Baptist Convention to rescind the ordination of all ordained Baptist women in the Atlantic provinces. Thankfully, that motion was defeated.  In 2016, after 40 years in pastoral ministry, Ida semi-retired and felt called to part-time hospital chaplaincy.  She has been a volunteer RCMP Chaplain (28 years), served on the HRUBA Chaplaincy Committee (22 years) and on the Board of Directors for Coverdale Justice Society (8 years).  Ida has been married to Gregg for 50 years. They have two adult daughters, son-in-law and three grandchildren. Ida loves being with her family and travelling the world to see more of God’s handiwork in people and places.

 
Harold Corbett, (2027) Saskatoon, SK

Harold Corbett was born in Kentville, Nova Scotia. His parents were very active with the Kentville United Baptist Church (John Boyd was one of the youth leaders). After attending two years at the Acadia Divinity School he moved to Saskatchewan. There he began a 40 year career in the Hospitality industry. He has been a Lifelong lay leader in many Baptist churches in Saskatchewan, as well as serving on the board and many subcommittees of the CBWC. He has been married for over 50 years to Karin, retired and settled in Saskatoon with two daughters and five grandchildren. Karin and Harold are currently active leaders in First Baptist Church, Saskatoon.

 

 

 Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards, (2027) Halifax, NS

Rusty immigrated to Canada from the United States in 2017 to become Senior Minister at First Baptist Church Halifax. Rusty earned his BA in Religion and Baptist History from Carson-Newman University, a MDiv from Baylor University, a MTh with a concentration in liturgy and Christian formation from Duke University, and a DMin in preaching, also from Baylor University. He is more prone to talk about orthopraxis (right practice) than orthodoxy (right belief). To that end, he values involvement in the community as he strives to put his faith into action and live out the love of God for all people. That might find him serving on the board of a local nonprofit, getting hands dirty in a community garden, or advocating for the rights of those too often marginalized. As Chair of the Credentials Committee Rusty leads the CABF in the crucial area of ministerial accreditation and has been busy facilitating the ability for us to offer credentials to ministers in other Canadian provinces. Rusty, his wife, Jenny, and their daughter received their Canadian citizenship in August 2022.

 

Rev. Jenny Eisener, (2027) Enfield, NS

Jenny is originally from Southwestern Ontario; she came to Nova Scotia in 2014 and is happy to call NS home. Jenny was the first person to be ordained through the CABF (2015, First Baptist Church Halifax). Although currently serving a United Church of Canada congregation, she maintains her Baptist calling by serving on the website committee.

 

 

 

  

David Gibson, (2027) Halifax, NS

David is a retired provincial civil servant who brings his expertise in governance and administration to the work of the CABF.  Having grown up as a "preacher's kid" and belonged to many different Baptist Churches, he offers his experience to various levels of Baptist life, including First Baptist Church Halifax, the Halifax Baptist Hospital Chaplaincy and the CABF.  David is known for his attention to detail and his knowledge of constitutional processes and helps keep all of us on the "straight and narrow" as we navigate this time of growth.  David and his wife, Grace, life in Halifax, NS.

 

 

Christie Goode, (2027) Surrey, BC

Christie earned her MA in theology from Regent College in 2005, and has been a regular lay preacher over the past 20 years.  Over that time she was also a Certified Fund Raising Executive, working in nonprofit leadership advocating for theological education, the environment, the arts and for people struggling with poverty & addiction.  In 2020 Christie helped lead her church to becoming fully LGBTQ affirming, and in 2024 she founded BC’s first queer Toastmasters club, to build up confident queer public speakers.  She is passionate about developing Christian leaders who feel safe within their own personal limits, are conscious of how they use their power and negotiate boundaries, and can hold on to the richness of the past while also nurturing a community  that is authentically inclusive in the present.  Christie has three teenage daughters, and loves to dance and read medieval murder mysteries.

 

                                  Rev. Jeremy Keay, (2027) Edmonton, AB

 

Martin Roy, (2027) Petite-Rivière-de-l'Île, NB

Martin Roy was born and raised in Chicoutimi, province of Québec, and he has resided in New Brunswick for more than 20 years. He has worked as a journalist for l'Acadie Nouvelle newspaper since June 2003. He was until recently a union leader for about 15 years. He also published two poetry books (“Vers le Pays de Canaan”, in 2015, and “Petite-Rivière-de-l'Île”, in 2020). He’s actually pursuing his M.Div. in order to be ordained as a pastor within about two years by the CABF. Martin is openly gay. He has been a member of the CABF Council since 2021. As the only French speaking member of the council, he shares his francophone voice to enriching the Association, and he wants to develop a French ministry within the Association, because he knows there are needs there for a progressive, wise and genuine community of faith as the CABF is. Finally, what brings him joy, apart the wonderful Love of God and His Word, are his boyfriend, his cats, his current work and listening to classical music, opera, Acadian, Québécoise and others.

Une version française de la biographie de Martin est disponible ici.

CABF COMMITTEES

(As updated at the January 14, 2026 Meeting of Council)

Committees are established by resolution of Council and Council approves their Terms of Reference, which are then added to the Policy and Procedures Manual, see here.  Council appoints Chairs of committees from among the members of Council.  Each committee must also have a second member of Council, but Council may appoint as many additional members of Council or Individual Members or members of Member Churches to any committee as it determines to be appropriate.  The President is an ex-officio, non-voting member of all committees unless the Terms of Reference of the committee give the President a vote.

 

Communications

Rev. Jenny Eisener, Enfield, NS, Chair
Rev. Dr. Mark Parent, Pereau, NS, The Bulletin Editor (pro tem)
J. Adam Boyd, Wolfville, NS
David Gibson, Halifax, NS
Martin Roy, Petite-Rivière-de-l'Île, NB
Rev, Jeff White, Amherst, NS

 

Constitution and Governance

David Gibson, Halifax, NS, Chair
Rev. John Perkin, Ottawa, ON

    Special Project Team of Consitution and Governance Committee

    David Gibson, Halifax, NS, Chair
    David Allen, Mahone Bay, NS
    Rev. Dr. John Churchill, Port Williams, NS
    Harold Corbett, Saskatoon, SK
    Rev. Luke Dowding, Halifax, NS (and UK)
    Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards, Halifax, NS
    Rev. Jenny Eisener, Enfield, NS
    Rev. Mandi Hecht, Saskatoon, SK
    Rev. Hugh Kirkegaard, Bedford, NS
    Rev. Dr. Marlene Knowles, Wellington, NS
    Rev. John Perkin, Ottawa, ON
    Martin Roy, Petite-Rivière-de-l'Ile, NB
    Rev. Dr. Ryan Sato, Edmonton, AB
    Rev. Jeff White, Amherst, NS 

 

Credentials

Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards, Halifax, NS, Chair
Rev. Dr. John Churchill, Port Williams, NS
Rev. Anne Baxter Smith, Surrey, BC
Rev. Dr. Ryan Sato, Edmonton, AB
Rev. Mandi Hecht, Saskatoon, SK

Cross Canada Conference 2026 - Saskatoon, SK October 25-28

Harold Corbett, Saskatoon, SK
Karen Corbett, Saskatoon, SK
Mandi Hecht, Saskatoon, SK
Rev. Dr. Ryan Sato, Calgary, AB

 

Finance

David Gibson, Halifax, NS, Chair (pro tem)
David Allen, Mahone Bay, NS, Treasurer
Jim Stanley, Halifax, NS

 

Membership

Joyce Allen, Mahone Bay, NS, Chair
David Allen, Mahone Bay, NS

 

Nominating

Rev. Dr. Marlene Knowles, (2026) Wellington, NS, Chair
Rev. Dr. Ida Armstrong-Whitehouse, Stillwater Lake, NS

 

Program

Rev. Hugh Kirkegaard, Bedford, NS, Chair (pro tem)
Paul Burden, Port Williams, NS
Lana Churchill, Port Williams, NS (for Port Williams events)
Christie Goode, Surrey, BC
Rev. Arla Johnson, Halifax, NS
Rev. Dr. Marlene Knowles, Wellington, NS
Rev. John Perkin, Ottawa, ON

CABF REPRESENTATIVES

Alliance of Baptists - Rev. Jeremy Keay, Edmonton, AB

Canadian Council of Churches - Rev. Hugh Kirkegaard, Bedford, NS