LEADERS for The Way

Reverend Paul Dirden, Youth Department
Paul Martin Dirden serves as the Youth Pastor of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church. Paul is passionate and committed to improving the life of every child within his reach. Paul is instrumental in guiding the youth to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ. Through discipleship and training, Paul nourishes their spiritual growth and the gift of serving within. Pastor Dirden mentors parents and partners with them in the spiritual formation of their children.
Paul Martin Dirden is the 5th child of seven born to Dolee Dirden, Sr. and Margaret Dirden. Paul confessed his faith in Christ at an early age, and accepted the acts of the Apostle Paul as his motivation for his spiritual walk. After graduating from Forest Brook High School, he attended Sam Houston State University for 2 years before enlisting into the United States Armed Services. Pastor Dirden served in the United States Navy for six years and the Texas Army National Guard for seven years. Paul credits his military service for giving him strength and discipline in day to day living. Paul is the father of two children, Courtney and Madison. He shares an adorning affection for his wife Shirley.
Paul loves his Pastor and his Church Family and believes in participating in all activities to the full extent of his ability, his personal motto is, “Insurance is Good, Assurance is Best”.

Reverend Simpson Douglas, Education Department
Associate Pastor Simpson Douglas is a native Houstonian that grew up in the Settegast Community. He united with the Mt. Canaan Missionary Baptist Church as a child under the leadership of the late Founder, Reverend T. J. Compton. Pastor Douglas began his education under the late Dr. Esther Compton as a preschooler and finished at B.C. Elmore High School and Prairie View A & M University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He is forever grateful to God for using him as a servant for His work in the ministry and Pastor Compton for allowing him to work in this ministry.
He works with and under the direction of our Senior Pastor as a member of the pastoral team as Pastor of Education. In this capacity, he strives to meet the needs of the membership of the church. Pastor Douglas assists the Senior Pastor in coordinating activities and teaching in the areas of spiritual and educational growth of the Church and the community. His goal is to educate our church in the Christian faith and educationally as a whole.

Reverend Timothy Guinn, Evangelism Department
Pastor Timothy E. Guinn, III is a licensed & ordained minister of the gospel of JESUS CHRIST for over 20 years. He has attended Kashmere High School, Texas Southern University & College of Biblical Studies. He is the father of three children, Timika, Christopher & Valencia. He is a born again Christian. His ministry is defined in II Timothy 2:2, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
He works with and under the direction of our Senior Pastor as a member of the pastoral team as Pastor of Evangelism. He helps to enable the church to focus on the Great Commission and to equip the church to carry out the five functions of the New Testament church: evangelism, discipleship, ministry, fellowship, and worship. Pastor Guinn gives oversight and direction to the evangelistic ministries of the church.

Pastor Weston C. Lauder, II. – Music Ministry
Pastor Weston C. Lauder, II. , started his ministry in music at the age of 9 years old. He has yielded himself and his gifts to the Lord for 29 years. He has played across the breadth of our country. He has accompanied gospel artists such as Chester D. T. Baldwin, Rickey Dillard, Beverly Crawford and Johnnie Branch. Pastor Lauder has participated in the Gospel Music Workshop of America, founded be the late Rev. James Cleveland. Pastor Lauder serves and is fully devoted to God and fully committed to expressing that devotion through heartfelt worship.
He is further committed to a blended convergence worship style that is creative, visionary, flexible and diverse. With a heart for God and an understanding of worship, music and liturgy, Pastor Lauder offers servant leadership in the Music Ministry of Mt. Canaan.