Meet Our Staff Team
Emanuel Istrate
Emanuel joined the Oxford Bible Fellowship staff in July 2016 and served as the pastor of student ministries from 2016 until he assumed the lead position in June of 2023.
Prior to coming to Oxford Bible Fellowship, he served as an associate pastor at Crossroads Community Church in Carol Stream, IL. Emanuel is passionate about the gospel, expository preaching, and developing leaders. He is excited to be a part of what God is doing in the surrounding Oxford area and at Miami University. Emanuel immigrated to the United States from Romania and grew up in northern California. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Columbia International University.
Emanuel and his wife, Melissa, met during their time at Moody. They have three children: Moriah, Ezekiel, and Eden. As a family, they love being active outdoors, spending time with friends and family, and traveling. In his free time, Emanuel enjoys coaching soccer, watching historical films, and trying to keep up with his three energetic kids!
Justin Kailer
Justin joined the Oxford Bible Fellowship staff in January 2019. As the Director of Student Ministries, he oversees the developing and teaching curriculum for all of our students. He loves seeing how the truths of faith take hold and change students’ perspectives and priorities in life. He also accepted the role of Director of Finance in September 2023, overseeing the church’s stewardship of God’s resources to advance His kingdom in Oxford and beyond.
Justin began attending Oxford Bible Fellowship while studying economics and finance at Miami University, from which he graduated in 2013. He then served with a missions’ organization in the country of Fiji for a year before returning to Oxford and marrying his wife, Alexandria. The Lord has since blessed them with two children. Justin loves playing sports and is an avid fan of all Pittsburgh’s professional teams and Liverpool F.C. He also enjoys board games, learning about church history, reading fiction, and spending time with friends.
Tim Cary
Tim began attending Oxford Bible Fellowship after accepting a job at Miami University in 2021 and has been involved in OBF’s worship ministry since 2022. He joined the church staff part-time as a Sunday morning worship leader in 2024. Tim loves hearing God’s people sing out loud to the One who deserves all glory and praise.
A native of Battle Creek, Mich., Tim graduated from Cedarville University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 2004 after spending three years traveling on CU’s music teams. He served the next 17 years as a full-time worship pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Springfield, Ohio before moving to Oxford.
Tim currently works for Miami Athletic Communications and Marketing, where he writes feature stories for MiamiRedHawks.com and is the media contact for the RedHawks’ ice hockey team.
Tim has been married to Molly since 2005 and they have two children, Janna and Josh. Tim loves spending his free time watching sports, especially his kids’ basketball and soccer games. He is known for trying to teach as many people as possible to play his favorite card game (Euchre), winning Wheel of Fortune once in 2022, and playing the piano upside-down (not in that order).
Pati Greene
Pati immigrated to the USA from Brazil in 1996 to attend the University of Cincinnati, where she graduated with a degree in Dietetics & Nutrition. It was during her time at UC that she met her husband, Isaac. Pati and Isaac have been blessed with 7 children.
Pati loves meeting the Lord at sunrise with a fresh cup of coffee. She also enjoys reading, being in her garden,and enthusiastically cheering for her kids on the soccer field. She loves welcoming new people into her home and thoroughly believes in the saying, “Mi casa es tu casa”.
Heather Perry
Heather and her family have been part of our church for 10 years. Heather grew up just outside Oxford but moved away for college and then marriage to Sam. After having been away from family for several years, Sam was blessed to find a job with the city of Oxford. Heather homeschools their four children Adeline, Isaac, Josiah and Silas, and is a soccer mom. If things are quiet enough, she enjoys reading and watching Hallmark movies.
Maggie Wolff
Maggie re-joined the Oxford Bible Fellowship staff in April 2022 after having served as its Ministry Assistant, prior to having kids. As the Communications Director, she gets to create graphics and content to keep the congregation informed about what is upcoming. It is a joy and privilege to serve the church in this capacity!
Maggie studied Women’s Ministry at Moody Bible Institute. She has loved getting to use this training within the church as a youth group leader and women’s Bible study leader. She and her husband, Jonathan, moved from Chicago for his job at Miami University in 2014. Their family has since grown and they now live with three little personalities (Liesl, Greta, and Otto) and two furry personalities (German Shepherd pup and Bengal cat). When not chasing children or cleaning, she enjoys running, gardening, and eating good food with friends.
Our Deacon Team
Brian & Amy Schlake
Lead Deacon(ess)
John Faries
Outdoor Facilities
Ellen Hernandez
Benevolence
Alex Kailer
Women's Ministry
Don Kidd
Community Groups
Greg Presnall
Prayer