Meet Joel: FAC Deerfoot Campus Music Associate!

“When I was hired as Music Pastor at FAC in 2013,” reflects David Klob, “we had one campus at FAC Deerfoot. Now, here we are nearly 13 years later, with worship teams spread across 4 campuses, plus churchwide FAC Music expressions including choir, orchestra, Elevate Kids’ Choir, Youth worship, songwriting and recording teams, as well as a thriving School of Music with over 120 students!”

“This growth in music ministry comes with added responsibilities to lead the broader scope of FAC Music,” Pastor David shares, “And as much as I’d love to be involved in all of it ... it’s a lot! So I’m incredibly thankful to the leadership of FAC who recognized this as an opportunity to better support FAC Music by adding a new full-time music associate who can give focused leadership to the Deerfoot Campus worship teams, so I can provide direction and pastoral support to FAC Music as a whole for the church,” explains David (who’s not going anywhere!).”

“I am SO EXCITED that God led us to Joel. Joel is a gifted multi-instrumentalist and singer who loves developing people. He brings a wealth of international and multicultural worship experience to FAC Deerfoot. He has a pastor's heart, a kind and cheerful spirit, and big dreams. Not only does Joel bring the talent and experience to help our Deerfoot Campus musicians grow and develop, he also brings fresh energy, creativity, and vision to our church. So, without further ado, meet Joel Bhaskaran!”

Joel: “I was born and raised in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Growing up, my three sisters and I were fully immersed in ministry as our parents are pastors. In our house, the church wasn’t optional; it was a way of life!

Our weeks were full. Monday through Sunday were packed with services, events, and meetings. Intercessory prayers, healing services, worship practices, Bible studies, and youth conferences. Friday started with a combined service with all the language-specific congregations: English, Tamil, Sinhalese, Urdu, Tagalog, Ghanaian, Nigerian, and Malayalam. Then, it was followed by Young Adult meetings, and the language-specific congregations held their own services in the evenings.

I didn’t care much for school. I regularly dreamed of becoming the first South Asian NBA All-Star, spending countless hours practicing and competing (my mom shut that dream down pretty quickly). After graduating high school, I left Bahrain to pursue audio engineering and music production, studying for a year in Cape Town, South Africa.

I didn’t truly discover my personal walk with Christ until I found myself alone in South Africa. I was born into a faith-filled home, but when I was truly by myself, I realized what life was like no longer sheltered by my parents’ prayers and spiritual direction. I was fully exposed to the weight of the world: its sin, its shame, its spiritual battles, and its darkness. It was there, in some of my weakest moments, I came to understand and meet Christ through my own eyes and not my parents.  

Eventually, I returned home, feeling called to support my family and serve more deeply in ministry. At the same time, I wanted to continue my education (partly because all my sisters were in medical school, and I didn’t want to be the only one without a degree). That’s when I discovered the University of Lethbridge. I applied to their Digital Audio program, was accepted, and moved to Canada in 2015. 

My introduction to worship was initially by force (laughs). Every morning at 5:30 am, our house echoed with Don Moen, Michael W. Smith, and Darlene Zschech as my parents aggressively woke us up for family prayer. 

At the age of 8, I started sitting in the worship team, playing an unplugged acoustic guitar, just trying to keep up. From then on, I began teaching myself drums, then other instruments, learning whatever was needed so I could serve wherever there was a gap. 

But in those moments, I found myself drawn less to the lyrics and more to everything happening around them. I began noticing the layers: the drums, guitars, and strings—subconsciously breaking down each element. Why did the drums sound so powerful? How were the pianos so full and grand? What tones were the guitars creating? 

That curiosity slowly turned into passion. I found that understanding and shaping those elements became the space where I could give my whole heart, my skills, and my creativity as an act of worship. It’s what continues to drive me to grow, learn, and deepen my commitment to serving in music ministry. 

I have so many out-of-pocket church stories, but one of my favourites happened during a special service at our church. Right before we headed into the team room to pray, I was adjusting some cables, and my pants ripped from the knee all the way up to my groin. 

I asked my pastor if I could quickly run home to change, but he said no! Instead, he told me to put on a white bishop’s robe we had in the green room. So, I ended up playing the entire service wearing a bishop’s gown… with no pants underneath. Because of the robe, everyone in the congregation thought I was being ordained that day as a minister, and people kept coming up to congratulate me.  

One thing that the FAC family should know is that I’m always the same person whether you meet with me during the week or on a Sunday. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I’m an open book. My goal is always to show up as my most authentic self with everyone I meet.  

(Speaking of being an open book, my wife and I shamelessly love binge-watching new TV shows until 2 or 3 in the morning, then complain the next day about how tired we are!) We both enjoy working out and playing sports, but if you ever invite me on a long hike … well, let’s just say that’s a quick way to move from the friend zone to the acquaintance zone. As for snacks, my go-to favourites are Cadbury Chocolate Fingers, Cheetos (especially the spicy ones!), chilli-roasted pistachios, and a cold Fanta Orange. 

Joining FAC feels like I’m finally stepping into a calling God has placed on my life since childhood. From pastors and elders often telling me that I would one day become a pastor, and that no matter how much I tried to run from it (and I truly did try), God would still find me, position me, and use me for His purpose.  

One of the things I’m most excited about is helping to further the vision of being one church with multiple campuses. Through our worship, we can bridge gaps that sometimes separate us and ultimately, reflect Christ’s heart for His church: every voice, one heart, one people,” shares Joel. 

Pastor David Klob reflects, “God has been working in beautiful ways in our Deerfoot Campus music ministry. We’ve seen Him renew our worship culture and posture, drawing our people from observing to fully engaging, singing out to “fill the room” with praise and growing in freedom to worship authentically. 

I believe God is going to use Joel to take us deeper in our experience of God's presence through worship together, all while expanding our musical expressions to be more fully representative of our beautifully diverse congregation.  

It's a new day, and I’m fully confident that God has been preparing Joel 'for such a time as this.’ I’m so grateful for all that God has done these past 13 years, and I’m so excited for what’s to come. It's time for a new chapter for FAC Music. Can you feel a fresh wind of the Spirit blowing in? I sure can! And all I can say is ... let's gooooooo!” 

Pastor Dave continues as the Music Pastor at FAC while Joel joins the team to support the Deerfoot Campus as Music Associate. Watch for Joel leading worship on May 2/3 at FAC Deerfoot, and be sure to say hi when you see him and Kaela around on the weekends! Learn more about The Arts and FAC Music.