
Gary McNitt
Lead Pastor
Gary joined the staff at Benton St. in June of 2005. He left the small business he has operated in the K-W area for the past 17 years. Gary ministered in Montreal and Kitchener before starting a decorating and renovation business in 1988. He ministered in New Hamburg from 1995-2004 while operating the business. He holds degrees from the University of Waterloo and Central Baptist Seminary. Gary and his wife, Marylou, have lived in the K-W area for over 35 years and have three sons.

Jaye Rice
Pastor of Community Engagement
Before coming to Benton St. in August 2007, Jaye worked for Montréal Youth for Christ for six and a half years as the program coordinator at their sports and arts youth center - Terra Nova. In April of 2007, Jaye received his B.A. in Religious Studies from Concordia University and in 2021 completed a Masters of Theological Study at Heritage College and Seminary.
Jaye has worked as Benton Street Baptist's Pastor of Student Ministries from August 2007 until March 2012, Pastor of Young Adult Ministries from 2012 to 2023, and has most recently been asked to fill the role of Pastor of Ministry Engagement. Jaye has a passion for seeing people desire a real relationship with Jesus Christ and become His disciples. He seeks to do this through various means including the arts, Bible studies, good cups of coffee, outdoor activities and cross-cultural partnerships, just to name a few.
Jaye is married to Madeleine and they have four children.
Jaye has worked as Benton Street Baptist's Pastor of Student Ministries from August 2007 until March 2012, Pastor of Young Adult Ministries from 2012 to 2023, and has most recently been asked to fill the role of Pastor of Ministry Engagement. Jaye has a passion for seeing people desire a real relationship with Jesus Christ and become His disciples. He seeks to do this through various means including the arts, Bible studies, good cups of coffee, outdoor activities and cross-cultural partnerships, just to name a few.
Jaye is married to Madeleine and they have four children.

Julia Rogler
Director of Music and Worship
Julia joined staff as the Director of Worship and Small Groups at Benton in June 2019. Originally from Barrie Ontario, Julia grew up in the Pentecostal Church, being highly involved on Sunday morning worship teams, choral events, and solos.
She began attending Benton St. Baptist Church midway through her studies at Heritage College and Seminary when she undertook an internship with Doug Thomson. In 2017 she graduated with a Bachelor of Church Music – vocal.
She joined the leadership team at Benton in the role of Director of Worship and Community Group Ministries in June of 2019.
She began attending Benton St. Baptist Church midway through her studies at Heritage College and Seminary when she undertook an internship with Doug Thomson. In 2017 she graduated with a Bachelor of Church Music – vocal.
She joined the leadership team at Benton in the role of Director of Worship and Community Group Ministries in June of 2019.

Holly DeBoer
Director of Children and Youth
Holly enjoys working with the terrific kids and youth of Benton St. Baptist Church and is pleased to be serving as Director of Children and Youth Ministries. She has been involved with leading youth and teaching kids for over 20 years.
Holly is married to Norm, and they have 3 young adult children. She is also a former police officer from this region. After 13 years of policing, she left that area of ministry to homeschool their children. Holly recently completed a graduate certificate for Women in Ministry at Heritage College and Seminary.
Holly has a passion for teaching the Word of God to inspire the next generation toward maturity and confidence in their relationship with the Living God. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing young people get serious about their faith and commit to following Jesus – no matter what their occupation might end up being.
Holly is thankful for this area of ministry where she can continue to serve and protect.
Holly is married to Norm, and they have 3 young adult children. She is also a former police officer from this region. After 13 years of policing, she left that area of ministry to homeschool their children. Holly recently completed a graduate certificate for Women in Ministry at Heritage College and Seminary.
Holly has a passion for teaching the Word of God to inspire the next generation toward maturity and confidence in their relationship with the Living God. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing young people get serious about their faith and commit to following Jesus – no matter what their occupation might end up being.
Holly is thankful for this area of ministry where she can continue to serve and protect.

Breanna Gaudaur
Office Administrator
Breanna grew up in Kenya as the daughter of missionaries and moved to the KW area to attend Heritage College & Seminary in 2013. It was through the Children’s Ministry program at Heritage that she first got involved at Benton in 2015. Breanna quickly found a home at Benton and worked here as an intern for two years, helping with everything from nursery to youth. She graduated from Heritage College and Seminary in the Spring of 2018 with a Bachelor of Religious Education Professional – Children’s Ministry degree.
Breanna officially joined the staff team at Benton in May of 2017 as the Office Administrator, but her role is not confined to the office. She loves using her gifts to serve God’s people, and enjoys being involved with the leadership of Children’s and Youth ministry, along with helping out anywhere else she is needed.
Breanna officially joined the staff team at Benton in May of 2017 as the Office Administrator, but her role is not confined to the office. She loves using her gifts to serve God’s people, and enjoys being involved with the leadership of Children’s and Youth ministry, along with helping out anywhere else she is needed.

Brandy Peters
Director of Congregational Care
New to the role of Pastoral Care in 2021, Brandy’s professional background includes a diploma in Personal Support Work (PSW) where she enjoyed a career working in the field of Long Term Care for over 10 years. She recently completed an advanced training program in Alzheimers and Dementia to increase her understanding of this struggle many seniors face. Brandy truly adores and respects the earlier generation.
Brandy has been attending Benton for 17 years with her husband, Ed Peters. Together they have 3 children and live just outside of Waterloo. She considers Benton her second family and has served in Awana, Sunday school, and most recently, the ladies Bible study: LIGHTS.
In her walk with the Lord, Brandy has had a heart for missions, and has been blessed to serve in Matangwe Kenya for Caring Partners Global twice. Once as a young lady, and again with her husband and daughter in 2010.
Brandy is humbled and excited to be a representative of Benton, caring for those who need encouragement, comfort, love, and a special touch - all in the name of Jesus Christ.
Brandy has been attending Benton for 17 years with her husband, Ed Peters. Together they have 3 children and live just outside of Waterloo. She considers Benton her second family and has served in Awana, Sunday school, and most recently, the ladies Bible study: LIGHTS.
In her walk with the Lord, Brandy has had a heart for missions, and has been blessed to serve in Matangwe Kenya for Caring Partners Global twice. Once as a young lady, and again with her husband and daughter in 2010.
Brandy is humbled and excited to be a representative of Benton, caring for those who need encouragement, comfort, love, and a special touch - all in the name of Jesus Christ.

Tyler Wilson
Custodian
tyler@benton.church
Tyler has been a member of Benton Church since 2013. He took over the custodian job at the end of 2022.
He is married to Isabella Wilson. The two have five young children together.
He is married to Isabella Wilson. The two have five young children together.

Joseph Elliotson
Treasurer & Donor Services
Joseph began attending Benton in 2005 where he quickly found a place to belong. In addition to participating as worship team trumpeter and choir pianist for several years, he currently serves as Treasurer, Head Teller (Donor Services) and finance committee member. It was through Benton in 2007 that he met and fell in love with his wife Jenny, with whom he has six young children.
Joseph is a Chartered Professional Accountant with a Bachelor in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo. He spent over 10 years in public accounting at PricewaterhouseCoopers before starting his own financial planning and accounting practice in 2014.
Joseph is excited about the biblical vision for financial strategy and management, and desires to honour Jesus both by being a biblically faithful and wise manager (Lk 12:42) and by building others up in Christ-honouring stewardship.
Joseph is a Chartered Professional Accountant with a Bachelor in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo. He spent over 10 years in public accounting at PricewaterhouseCoopers before starting his own financial planning and accounting practice in 2014.
Joseph is excited about the biblical vision for financial strategy and management, and desires to honour Jesus both by being a biblically faithful and wise manager (Lk 12:42) and by building others up in Christ-honouring stewardship.