Kennert Giesbrecht

Writer · Historian · Adventurer · Photographer · World Traveler

Kennert was born and raised in Paraguay, where he spent more than 30 years of his life. He is married to Gredel Bergen, and together they raised three children. Kennert taught history and geography (social studies) in the Menno Colony and later served as principal of a high school.

In 2002, he and his family moved to Canada, where he became Managing Editor of Die Mennonitische Post with MCC Canada. For nearly 22 years, he oversaw the paper and traveled extensively to more than 200 Low German Mennonite colonies and communities across the Americas. During this time, he also published two books: Strangers & Pilgrims – Volume II and Auf den Spuren der Mennoniten.

After retiring from MCC in 2023, Kennert began working with organizations such as the Delbert F. Plett Mennonite Historical Research Foundation, promoting Mennonite history within Mennonite communities. He continues to serve as an ambassador for MCC and has collaborated on research projects with McGill University in Montreal and the University of Winnipeg. Fluent in English, Low German, High German, and Spanish, Kennert easily connects across cultures and languages in his work. His recent travels have taken him to Mexico, Colombia, Paraguay, Bolivia, Belize, and Peru.

Kennert and his wife currently live in Mitchel, Manitoba.