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2-year school
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Learn to Live a Supernatural Lifestyle
Drawing from the richness of our Catholic heritage, we seek to teach, equip and activate disciples to demonstrate the love of God through the power of the Holy Spirit in their sphere of influence.
Upcoming Event:
Gainesville Summer Intensive
What is a summer intensive? It’s an accelerated and jam-packed intro to the first 4 quarters of the curriculum for the Encounter School of Ministry. This is a great way to learn more about the classes we’re offering in the fall and about the Encounter School! If you’re already all in and can’t wait for the fall classes to start, join us for the summer intensive to kick-start your journey!
A Message from our Bishop:
Consider the Encounter School of Ministry
Our bishop shares his excitement and invites the faithful to consider being a part of the Encounter School of Ministry. You can join the 2-year certificate program or join us for our summer Intensive June 2-3!
Spotlight:
Why a 2-Year Ministry School?
This short video gives an overview of the Encounter School of Ministry (ESM) explained by co-founders, Fr. Mathias Thelen and Patrick Reis, along with members of Encounter Ministries. Our Satellite Campus follows the curriculum, core values and classroom environment explained in this video, but is led by a local team who receive ongoing training and formation from the Encounter Ministries and Encounter School of Ministry leadership team.
OUR CAMPUS


Location:
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
500 NE 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601
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The Gainesville Campus is a satellite school of the Encounter School of Ministry (ESM) founded by Fr. Mathias Thelen and Patrick Reis. Our leadership and instructors have been trained and equipped by ESM and receive ongoing formation through Encounter Ministries.

2023-2024 Class Schedule
General Info
All Classes Date/Time: WEDNESDAYS from 6:30-9:30PM
Typical Class Night Schedule:
6:30 Praise & Worship, Testimonies
7:15 Session 1
8:15 Break
8:30 Session 2
9:30 Dismissal
COURSES

2-Year Curriculum
Year 2
Q5: Intimacy with God
Q6: Advanced Ministry Training
Q7: Power Evangelization
Q8: Leadership & Deployment
Classroom Environment

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.
TEAM MEMBERS

Gwen Evans
Director
Bio
Fr. David Ruchinski
Bio
Chris Pampo
Bio
Jessica Bailes
Bio
Jennifer Hackett
Bio
Jennifer Hackett, Former Youth Director who since experiencing miraculous physical and inner healing has a passion for bringing the love of Christ and His healing touch others. Her dream for ESM Gainesville is be an instrument for the body of Christ to come together as one, share God’s love, and do ALL that HE tells us to do! Fun fact: Known to some as Jennifer Prayer Lady. |
Sandy DeTeresa
Bio
The Lord has drawn here to Encounter and has done so much in it and I’m excited to see how He transforms not only her, but those in Gainesville, through this ministry! Fun fact: She can read and write in 5 languages (2 of them are “dead” languages) and hope to learn at least 3 more!
Najwa Liscombe
Bio
Alex Zukoski
Bio
Mercedarian Sisters
Bio
We love how Encounter wants the true freedom of every person in Jesus Christ walking in the Holy Spirit as sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.
Fun Fact: We were founded in 1910 in Mexico City by Venerable María del Refugio Aguilar during the Mexican persecution. Viva Jesús Eucarístico! Nuestro Rey Eucarístico!
Gwen Evans
Director
Bio
Fr. David Ruchinski
Bio
Fr. David Ruchinski is the Chaplain for ESM Campus in Gainesville. Fr. David entered the major seminary of the North American College in Rome and was awarded his Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Gregorian University. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of St. Augustine on 23 June 2007 by Bishop Victor Galeone at the Cathedral Basilica. Since 2011 he has served as Pastor and Director of St. Augustine’s Parish and Catholic Student Center in Gainesville, Florida. His guidance and support have been essential to the establishing of ESM Gainesville Campus. “I’m excited to see the evangelizing power that God wants to release on the campus of the University of Florida and from there to the whole state.” Fun fact: When Fr. David is not nurturing souls, you can probably find him in his garden.
Chris Pampo
Bio
Jessica Bailes
Bio
Jennifer Hackett
Bio
Jennifer Hackett, Former Youth Director who since experiencing miraculous physical and inner healing has a passion for bringing the love of Christ and His healing touch others. Her dream for ESM Gainesville is be an instrument for the body of Christ to come together as one, share God’s love, and do ALL that HE tells us to do! Fun fact: Known to some as Jennifer Prayer Lady. |
Sandy DeTeresa
Bio
The Lord has drawn here to Encounter and has done so much in it and I’m excited to see how He transforms not only her, but those in Gainesville, through this ministry! Fun fact: She can read and write in 5 languages (2 of them are “dead” languages) and hope to learn at least 3 more!
Najwa Liscombe
Bio
Najwa is a happily retired nurse from the University of Florida / Shands conglomerate. With Encounter School of Ministry, she is excited to grow in her discipleship to help lead others to experience the love God has for them, not only in her parish, but throughout Gainesville, Florida and all over the US.. A fun fact about Najwa is that, as a child, she locked herself in the airplane bathroom and could not get out.
Alex Zukoski
Bio
Mercedarian Sisters
Bio
We love how Encounter wants the true freedom of every person in Jesus Christ walking in the Holy Spirit as sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.
Fun Fact: We were founded in 1910 in Mexico City by Venerable María del Refugio Aguilar during the Mexican persecution. Viva Jesús Eucarístico! Nuestro Rey Eucarístico!
APPLY
Cost of Tuition
Satellite Campus
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The tuition for the upcoming school year is $250 per quarter (with a discount if you pay by the year). Required books and Mission Trips cost extra.
Enrollment Period
Students enroll and pay tuition for one year at a time. Classes usually start mid-September and run through May. Official dates and class times vary per campus. Upon completion of the 2nd Year School of Ministry, students receive a graduation certificate.
Tuition includes Half Price Admission to the annual Encounter Conference (in-person or online ticket).
Related:
Application Process
Tuition & Financial Aid
Enrollment Requirements
Graduation & Curriculum
Course Materials
Additional Reading
In total, textbooks for Year 1 will cost approximately $75 – $100 (not including shipping): Quarter 1: Supernatural Saints by Patrick Reis | Quarter 2: The Spiritual Gifts Handbook by Dr. Mary Healy & Dr. Randy Clark | Quarter 3: Healing: Bringing the Gift of God’s Mercy to the World by Dr. Mary Healy | Quarter 4: Be Healed by Dr. Bob Schuchts | Deliverance Ministry by the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services Doctrinal Commission, Dr. Mary Healy
Application Process
The application is free. Applications are accepted until halfway through Q1. You will receive submission confirmation as we begin our discernment process. You should be notified within two weeks.
Basic Requirements
– A min. of 18 years of age or High School graduate
– You do not need to be Catholic to apply
EVENTS & NEWS
FULL CALENDARGainesville Summer Intensive
What is a summer intensive? It’s an accelerated and jam-packed intro to the first 4 quarters of the curriculum for the Encounter School of Ministry. This is a great way to learn more about the classes we’re offering in the fall and about the Encounter School! If you’re already all in and can’t wait for the fall classes to start, join us for the summer intensive to kick-start your journey!
Thank You to
Our Bishop
We are grateful to the bishops who have reviewed the work of Encounter Ministries and the Encounter School of Ministry, welcomed us to their diocese and have offered support and encouragement for this mission.
Follow us on Social Media
Follow us on social media to stay updated about the Encounter School of Ministry Gainesville Satellite Campus!
Encounter School
Testimonies
MEDIA
REVIVE | Fremont High School, NE
Encounter School of Ministry students join Patrick Reis and Fr. Walter Nolte at a Nebraska High School.
Encounter Conference | 2022
Flagship Event | We seek to gather leaders of revival in the Church to encounter God’s refreshment, encouragement and impartation of greater anointing for ministry. Tickets >
FEARLESS Documentary
Veteran filmmaker Maura Smith takes us on a compelling journey of discovery into the world of supernatural divine power. Following the journey of Encounter Ministries, we see miracles of God through the hands of ordinary people.
Why a 2-Year School of Ministry?
Designed and established from the heart of Encounter Ministries, this school draws from the richness of our Catholic heritage as we seek to teach, equip, and activate disciples to demonstrate the love of God through the power of the Holy Spirit in their spheres of influence.
Theology FAQ
STUDENT TESTIMONIES
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