Rev. Jacqui Foxall was inducted into Knox as part of the ministry team in the summer of 2009. In 2017, she was inducted again, this time as the sole minister.
Even before she was ordained, Jacqui served at a number of churches for over 10 years in the area of faith formation and Christian education for children, youth, and families. Learning and growing in faith has always been her passion, but doing so as part of a community has been the most life-giving aspect of her ministry.
Prior to graduating from Knox College (Toronto) with her Master of Divinity degree, Rev. Jacqui studied at the University of Waterloo, attaining her Bachelors in Honours Arts, double-majoring in Music and Religious Studies, with a specialization in Church Music and Worship. She studied voice and piano, and taught music theory lessons on the side. Believing she was destined to teach music for a living, Jacqui was bowled over the day she was asked: “Do you think you might be called to ministry?” The answer was yes. She hasn’t looked back since.
As the “Teaching Elder” (minister) at Knox Oakville, Rev. Jacqui considers it a profound privilege and responsibility to equip the saints for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:12). Through the worship, work, and play of the church, Rev. Jacqui seeks to nurture a passion to know God, and participate in the mission of God in the world. This means helping us discover again and again what it means to be a community of grace-sustained image-bearers of the Creator, sent out into a broken world that’s just waiting to be made whole again.
The greatest gift of this life has been the privilege of raising her two wild daughters: Acadia and Piper. Jacqui loves a good book, a single malt scotch, and being barefoot as much as possible.
John Kirstein is the praise team leader, providing leadership for the evolving bandhood that works hand in hand with the Chancel Choir in hymn singing, and who provides some sacred crooning during Knox’s Dinner Church gatherings.
He is grateful (in hindsight) for South Africa’s music curriculum, called UNISA (not unlike the Royal Conservatory of Music) and some amazing teachers that provided him with a background in classical repertoire and Western music harmony and theory. This allowed him to gain entrance to McMaster University’s music program where he studied piano with Alla Zacarelli and big band jazz music with Greg Bush.
However, his most grounding formation has been the experience of playing in praise teams and singing in choirs for three decades. This depth and breadth of experience in living traditions of listening, singing, praise, and lament has provided a way for him to develop a style of his own in service of the rich diversity present in church music.
John spends his days in lovely Dundas, Ont., with his beautiful wife, Joanna, their children Louis, Mikaiah, and Skye, and their three-year-old cockapoo, Sunny. He is an elementary school teacher by day and a lifelong learner by trade.
Brian Turnbull is Knox’s Director of Music, providing leadership for the Chancel Choir and working with other worship leaders.
After receiving his ARCT in piano during high school, Brian went on to study music at the University of Toronto where he received his Bachelor of Music (Honours in Education with a Major in Organ). The following year he received his Bachelor of Education at the Faculty of Education at the same university. His organ professor was Dr. Charles Peaker with specialized lessons from Dr. Healey Willan. Choral studies were with Dr. Elmer Iseler and Lloyd Bradshaw. In Cambridge England, Brian studied choral techniques with Stephen Cleobury of Kings’ College, George Guest of St. John’s College and John Rutter of Clare College. During the same summer course organ studies were taken with John Scott at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England.
Brian has taken award winning bands and choirs throughout North America and Europe. Highlights include singing Polish to John Paul II at the Hall of Audiences (Vatican), Eisteddfod in Wales, International Choral Festival in Cincinnati, singing Canadian Railroad Trilogy at Jasper Park Lodge and many other events too numerous to mention.
Brian is involved in the annual Summer Organ Recital Series at St. James Anglican Church in Orillia. Brian thoroughly enjoys directing Tempus Choral Society, an adult choir which he founded in 1999, Tempus4Us children’s choir, Tempus Jazz Choir, and being a part of the Interlink Choir of Oakville, a choir combining voices of seniors with elementary school students.
Brian has been Director of Music of several major churches in the Golden Horseshoe and is now thrilled to be joining Knox Oakville.
Iana joined our team as Church Administrator in 2025. Prior to this, she worked as a church administrator with the Salvation Army. Iana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Literature and English, with a background in teaching.
Originally from Europe, Iana moved to Canada in 2022 with her husband and young daughter. She comes from a Christian family and brings her faith, creativity, and dedication to her work at the church.
In her free time, Iana enjoys photography, content creation, and exploring new creative paths. She is passionate about capturing moments and sharing meaningful stories through her work and hobbies.
Marie Downey joined the Knox team in May of 2024. She has been involved in children’s ministry for over 40 years. Marie gave her life to the Lord on September 13, 1980. During her active involvement in her home church, Marie received a call to ministry. She graduated from Bethany Bible College (Kingswood University) with her Bachelor of Arts in Religion in 1986. Having met her husband at Bethany, Marie continued working in children’s ministry while her family grew. After 23 years, she was called to continue her education.Returning to University in 2009, Marie completed a Bachelor of Arts, double-majoring in Science and Technology Studies, studying French, and minoring in Psychology, and English. Also in 2009, the McKelvies founded and pastored Family Circle Church, Canada’s first church for people with special needs. Her family immediately joined and were an active part of AMAIA’s ministry, sharing preaching, ministering, and teaching duties until 2014 when it closed down. After graduation, Marie continued at St. Thomas University where she completed her Bachelor of Elementary Education with Honours in 2014.
In 2016, her family moved to Ontario so her children could attend Sheridan College and graduate with an Honours Bachelor of Game Design in 2020. Marie transferred her teaching credentials and became an OCT P/J French Immersion Teacher with the Halton District School Board in 2020. She has had the opportunity to teach French Immersion virtually for the past 2 years. In 2023, Marie was awarded two HDSB teaching certificates—the Knowledgehook Impact Award and the Gizmos Leadership Award. Marie is a firm believer in lifelong learning and continues professional development through AQ Courses (FSL Part 1 & Part 2, and Spec Ed Part 1), Conferences (Canada Learning Code, Digital Moments, Teacher Con and Modern Classroom Project) and Indigenous Teachings (National Truth and Reconciliation Centre, 4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning and Anti-Racism Seminars).
Marie resides in Oakville with her husband, her daughter, and her identical twin boys. She enjoys being a part of Knox Presbyterian Church and is looking forward to growing the Children’s Ministry. Marie is excited about our VBS and what we can accomplish. As she is learning more about the Church and the children’s programs, Marie is open to suggestions and feedback and getting to know everyone better.
Following his retirement in April 2019, David Platt found himself making more frequent visits to 89 Dunn St., and becoming more involved in the day to day operations of Knox Church. As a 35+ year member of Knox and an ordained elder, David was no stranger to the building and some of its hidden secrets, but there was much to learn. Calling upon the experience and guidance of Barbara Browne, David saw opportunities to engage himself, and other church folks to bring more time, talents, and treasures to Knox.
With expansive energy, David took on the role of Chair of the New Roads Project, an ambitious renovation that is still ongoing (it began in June 2016).
If David is not singing with the Knox Chancel Choir, he is singing with the Praise Team, and on Sundays, often both.
It only made sense, when the Session of Knox decided to post a job opportunity for Property Manager that David put his hand up to take the part-time position.
Most days of the week, you can find David on site, with an endless list of things to do, and enjoying the challenges of maintaining the beautiful icon of Oakville on the corner of Dunn St. and Lakeshore Road East.
David loves the outdoors especially when riding his Harley motorcycle. Father of three boys and husband of 36 years to Monika, David’s passion is family, friends, community, and food! You can find him volunteering at Food4Life in Burlington or helping elderly folks tend to their lawns and gardens.