What is Encounter School of Ministry?
The Encounter School of Ministry is a powerful, inspirational course that can transform your life (watch the video to the left). Many experience greater intimacy with Our Lord, greater security in their identity as a child of God, and feel more equipped to love and serve those around them in the power of the Holy Spirit. We would love to have you join us in our next school!
The Encounter School consists of 2 years of teaching and training. Classes will be recorded and uploaded online to the Student Dashboard so that all students will be able to watch the presentations if they were unable to attend the class in person. Upon finishing Year 2, all students will receive a certificate of completion. You must complete Year 1 before enrolling in Year 2.
- If you have not completed the Year 1 class, please click on the “Apply—Year 1” button to apply.
- If you have completed the Year 1 class, please click on the “Enroll—Year 2” button to update your tuition preferences for the Year 2 class.
2-Year Curriculum
Year 1
Q1: Identity & Transformation
Q2: Hearing God’s Voice & Prophetic Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Q3: Power & Healing
Q4: Inner Healing
Year 2
Q5: Intimacy with God
Q6: Advanced Ministry Training
Q7: Power Evangelization
Q8: Leadership & Deployment
Classroom Environment
Each class includes a time of worship, testimony, teaching sessions, activations and small group time. Light refreshments will be served.
Faithful Teaching
Before approval, our curriculum undergoes a rigorous academic curriculum review with a team of respected Catholic theologians, including Dr. Mary Healy, Dr. Alan Schreck, Dr. Daniel Keating, Rev. Peter F. Ryan, S.J., and Dr. Robert Fastiggi.
Not only did they work to guarantee that the curriculum is free from moral and doctrinal error and rooted deeply in Scripture, official Church teaching and the testimony of the early Church fathers, but they helped to provide greater precision and accuracy in the curriculum to diminish possible confusion and ensure full continuity with Church teaching.
This campus has been reviewed and approved by the bishop of this diocese.
Where & When?
Location
Mother of God School | Gym
20501 Goshen Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20879
2023-24 Class Schedule
Classes Start:
September 12, 2023
Classes Date/Time:
TUESDAYS from 6-9PM
Application Deadline:
Oct. 2, 2023
Fully Endorsed
Reviewed & Approved by the archdiocese of Washington.
Meet our Team
Mark Gargulinski
Director DC Satellite
Dr. Andre Leyva
Teacher
Dr. Fernando Andre Leyva is a Psychologist who loves Jesus Christ and who wants others to experience a life-changing encounter with Him.
Theresa Leyva
Teacher
Theresa is a music teacher, choral conductor, and singer who has been involved in music ministry for many years. She sings with Heart of Mercy Worship, a group that provides music for healing Masses and retreats. Theresa is married to Andre, and together they have six grown children and five grandchildren.
John Roeder
Teacher
John works for The Word Among Us and has been involved in ministry for thirty years, teaching marriage preparation, Life in the Spirit seminars, Alpha, and Catholic Bible studies. John is married to Betsy, and together they have raised five children.
Betsy Roeder
Teacher
Betsy has been in ministry for 30 years, serving in marriage preparation, music ministry, Alpha leadership, Life in the Spirit seminars, and Bible studies. She has also been blessed to connect pastors and parishes to The Word Among Us in her role as parish liaison. Betsy is married to John, and together they have five children, including identical twins.
Don James
Technical Director
Don served on the Mother of God Community Council for 8 years and has helped lead multiple Life in the Spirit courses at several parishes in the local area. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve the Encounter School of Ministry DC Campus and looks forward to seeing God’s blessing on all participants.
Marianne Rodriguez
Administrative Assistant
Marianne is a Year 2 student with the Encounter School of Ministry. She believes in living radically for Christ and enjoys climbing mountains to find Him and His disciples. Favorite memories include visiting the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, AZ, the Chapel on the Rock in Colorado (where St. John Paul II stayed during his trip in 1993), climbing Machu Picchu en route to Santisimo Sacramento Parish in Peru, attending Mass on the Solemnity of Mary in Japan, and climbing Cross Mountain in Medjugorje. She hopes to go on pilgrimage to 6 of the 7 continents and walk the Camino de Santiago someday. Marianne has been active as a Lector, homeless shelter volunteer, and prayer minister. She is from Cleveland, OH.
Fr. Jason Lewis
Teacher
Fr. Jason Lewis is a member of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. He is the co-author of After Suicide: There’s Hope for Them and for You. He has made numerous TV, video, and radio appearances, including EWTN’s 13-part series, The Cenacle of Divine Mercy II, and EWTN Live. He has lead various retreats and pilgrimages for priests, religious, and lay faithful. His heart-filled talks cover a wide range of Catholic topics, including specialties in the Message of The Divine Mercy, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and many issues facing the human person in the modern world.
Fr. Jason has completed his S.T.L. coursework at Catholic University of America and has conducted his thesis research on Divine Mercy and its intrinsic relationship to the Paschal Mystery of Christ. He has a Master’s degree in theology from Catholic University and completed his master’s work in philosophy from the Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Tom Singer
Teacher
Tom was the Coordinator of the Mother of God Community for 8 years. One of his greatest passions is to proclaim the lordship of Jesus Christ and to help others encounter the inexhaustible love of our heavenly Lord.
Raymund Sucgang
Worship Leader & Ministry Associate
Raymund has been with the Couples for Christ community for over thirty years. Together with his wife Sally, they lead small groups and conduct retreats for married couples. He is a worship leader and an avid student of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. Raymund graduated from the Encounter School of Ministry in May 2023 and has since led many workshops on the gifts of the Holy Spirit for his community.
Ben Gargulinski
Worship Leader
Ben is the worship leader for Encounter DC. He regularly leads worship for Mother of God Community prayer meetings and events.
Bob McCambridge
Teacher
Bob is the operations manager of Encounter DC. He is also a member of Mother of God Community and St. John Neuman parish.
Kathy Troxell
Teacher
When she was a young adult, Kathy unexpectedly discovered that Jesus is alive and is still active today. Since this experience, she still wakes up each day excited to discover what’s next on the journey. As a full-time business owner, Kathy’s goal is to serve in love and make time for what’s important. She and her husband, Danny, have five children and two granddaughters.
Recent Testimonies
I did not want to be pushy, or labelled, or make people feel awkward
My greatest transformation was in the courage, boldness and Holy Spirit power I now feel within...
In God’s Perfect Time
I have learned so much through this whole year of the Encounter School of Ministry! It did take...
The Construction of My Kingdom Dream
This quarter was full of practical ways to grow spiritually. I learned that God gave me a dream...
News & Events
Follow the DC Campus on Facebook to get the latest news and updates.
Patrick Reis to Speak at the Opening Night of the
2023–2024 Encounter School at the DC Campus
September 12
Discover the fruit others have experienced!
Please join us for the opening night of the Encounter School of Ministry (2023–2024) at the DC Campus.
Patrick Reis, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Encounter Ministries, will be speaking. We encourage everyone who is at all interested in the school to join us for the first night of our school.
The night will start at 6:00 pm with praise and worship. If you want to learn about the fruits of the school and how it can benefit you and those in your sphere of influence, there is no better way than to hear it from the Co-Founder of the school.
The night is free to all who are interested in the school. Join us for a night of joy and inspiration! Get to know some of our DC Campus team and those who are currently enrolled in the school.
God has more in store for you… much more than we can ever imagine!
Questions?
