Rev. Dr. Cyprian K. Guchienda

Rev. Dr. Cyprian Kimathi Guchienda has been on staff at Highland Park Presbyterian Church since 2001. He came to HPPC by way of the Perkins School of Theology while a student at SMU. Cyprian was born and raised in Africa, is fluent in five African languages, has a deep understanding of African culture and brings over 11 years of experience as an ordained minister of word and sacrament. Rev. Guchienda attended St. Paul's University and Theological College in Kenya where he graduated with a bachelor of divinity (BD) in 1988. While in seminary, Cyprian married Hellen Kaugi Mwamba. God has blessed them with three wonderful children Moyo Kimathi, Thiiri Kimathi and Neema Kimathi. After graduating from seminary in Kenya, Cyprian was appointed to serve in Kitale Parish, Western Kenya Presbytery where he was ordained as a minister of word and sacrament in 1989. He later was moved through church appointment to Nairobi Presbytery where he served at Bahati Martyrs Church covering Kibwezi and parts of Nairobi. In his eight years of service in Nairobi Presbytery, Cyprian helped to organize the Centennial Celebration of the church in Kibwezi and planted 12 new congregations. He was involved in establishing mission partnerships between Nairobi Presbytery (PCEA), Newton Presbytery PC(USA) and a sister congregation partnership between PCEA Kibwezi and Burke Presbyterian church, PC(USA) Virginia. After years of service in Nairobi Presbytery, Cyprian enrolled at the Perkins School of Theology at SMU, earning a degree in Masters of Theological Studies (MTS) where he graduated with honors in 1999. This led to his admission in a Doctor of Ministry program where he successfully graduated in 2005. Cyprian started out in the Outreach Ministry at HPPC in 2001 and established a worship service that reaches out to the African immigrant population in Dallas. Cyprian served as the Director of All Nations until 2008 when he was appointed Associate Pastor of All Nations. Cyprian has served in various committees of Grace Presbytery such as liaison person to New Immigrant Churches, Church Development (CDC), and as Keynote speaker at GA Multicultural conferences before becoming a Moderator of New Church Development in Grace Presbytery. He is currently a commissioner to the PC(USA) General Assembly. Cyprian is an integral member of the Immigrant New Church Development in Grace Presbytery, as well as an active member of the DFW Pastors Fellowship, the Kenya Diaspora advisory council is involved in Community Mobilization for Christ.