Maxine Knapp studied for three years at the United Aborigines Mission Gnowangerup Bible Training Institute and graduated in 1968. She also studied at Curtin University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Applied Science, and at the University of Western Australia, where she earned her PhD in research.Maxine's husband, Albert Knapp, was a graduate of the Bible Institute. He was also Principal of the A.E.F Bible In Gnowangerup and Perth. Together, the couple served 42 years in Christian ministry throughout Australia.