Scripture Untangled

Season 10: Episode 13 | Das Sydney | What Is Worth Wanting for Your Own Life?

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Das Sydney was born in India and moved to Africa with his parents at a very young age. He lived in Ethiopia and Ghana for a total of 14 years before immigrating to Canada in 1969. This rich and varied background has given him a profound appreciation and sensitivity towards people, cultures, and differing expressions of faith around the world.

He has served in the parish contexts in both Ontario and Nova Scotia where his ministry has maintained the importance of preaching as a key element of worship. He has also emphasized the dynamic union of the message of Jesus with the practical care of people. It has led to a compassion towards those in need, advocacy for the marginalized and offering care where there is spiritual need.

He has served as the Lead Pastor of Highland Baptist Church in Kitchener for almost 19 years. During his tenure, the church engaged in meaningful ways to serve locally, regionally and globally. In turn, many in the community, found in Highland, a safe spiritual home. On his recent retirement from Highland, he was given the honorific title, Minister Emeritus.

He has helped churches engage in long term planning and helped them find their calling or mission, in service and witness. While the Lead Pastor at the historic Wolfville Baptist Church in Nova Scotia, the church attained the highest membership since records were kept. He spear-headed the Out of the Cold program at a Toronto Church, helped organize a variety of helping ministries for refugees and new Canadians, and has been involved with significant reconciliation efforts with our First Nations neighbours.

He is currently the immediate Past President of the Canadian Council of Churches, a Past President of the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec and was the chair of the writing team that produced This We Believe, an important document that outlines various emphases in faith and practice among Canadian Baptists. He serves on the Leadership Commission of the Baptist World Alliance and is on the Board of Indwell – which offers supportive housing for the marginalized. He is also the Moderator of the South Central Association of Baptist Churches.

Das has graduate degrees from the University of Toronto, McMaster University, and a doctorate from Northern Seminary in Chicago. He has taught Practical Theology as an adjunct at Acadia Divinity College (Wolfville, NS), McMaster Divinity College (Hamilton, ON), and Communication at Emmanuel Bible College (Kitchener, ON).

Das is married to Angela, who is a retired graduate nurse. They have three adult children, six grandchildren. His hobbies include biking, golfing and painting. His personal motto is, “to make God’s kind of world real.” He was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation medal.

Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling was the Senior Minister of Timothy Eaton Memorial United Church in Toronto, one of Canada’s largest United Church congregations and was responsible for leadership and administration at Timothy Eaton from 1998 until his more recent retirement. Overseeing staff, providing visionary leadership, acting as the public representative of over 1,500 members and managing a dynamic and ever-evolving ministry to the city of Toronto and beyond.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Law from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, a Master of Divinity from the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Nova Scotia and a Doctor of Ministry in preaching from Acadia Divinity College, Wolfville, Nova Scotia. In 2008, Wycliffe College, Toronto, recognized his contribution to preaching with an honorary Doctor of Divinity.

Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling is now the Ambassador for the Canadian Bible Society building relationships with churches, academic institutions and individuals across Canada.