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satellite campus

indianapolis campus

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father." - John 14:12

 

Full on-site satellite campus.

 

   

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By your baptism, you have been called.

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. In conformity with the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church, we offer students a dynamic 2-year training program designed to take you to the next level in your ministry.

  • Long Term Discipleship: It is our mission to raise up disciples who are equipped to do "greater works," and it was the Lord's idea to use long-term discipleship for this training.
  • Authentically Catholic: We draw our teachings from scripture, tradition, official Church teaching, the lives of the early Church Fathers and the lives of the saints. Our curriculum has been reviewed by bishops and theologians.

 

location & schedule

Led by a locally trained Campus Director and instructors, this satellite campus is a fully on-site program following the same ESM Curriculum as other campuses.

Classes run mid-September through May.

Location: St. Elizabeth Seton Parish Social Hall, 10655 Haverstick Rd., Carmel, IN 46033
Class Times: Tuesdays, 6-9PM

Application Deadline: Oct. 1
Typical Class Night Schedule:  6:00   Praise & Worship, Testimonies |  6:45   Session 1  |  7:45   Break  |  8:00   Session 2  |  9:00   Dismissal

The single most dramatic area of growth I have experienced has been in hearing God. The instruction on the voice of God…opened me to receive in a way that I have not experienced before. God is present and wants to speak not just through me but to me.

– ESM Indianapolis Student

Encounter has reawakened my spiritual ears and eyes, and ignited my fire once again to stand on the Promises of His Word! Jesus had come to establish His Kingdom here on earth and His Power is here with us!!

– ESM Indianapolis Student

class sessions

WEEKLY / IN-PERSON

Each week, you will join your classmates on campus, where you will receive powerful training and practice opportunities. Your time at class will include praise and worship, prayer, Q&A, activations, and time with your small group.  Classes are led by the local campus director.

Activations

The gifts of the Spirit are part of our inheritance in Christ that, among other things, are meant to equip us for mission. Activations are powerful spiritual opportunities that help us experience the fullness of our identity and bring heaven to earth.  Each teaching session includes "activations," or time for "activating" and putting into practice what you have just learned. This may include a time of silent prayer, asking the Lord to reveal something to you, praying with your classmates, and more. Students can expect powerful personal transformation, breakthrough, and even miracles during this time.

Q1: Identity & transformation

Supplemental Reading: Supernatural Saints by Patrick Reis

Course Description

Building a foundation for all ministry on your royal identity as sons and daughters of God who experience transformation by the renewal of the mind.

Before students receive teaching and training in particular areas of ministry, they need to know who they are and whose they are. The first quarter focuses on the royal identity we receive as sons and daughters of God who have received an inheritance to do the works of Jesus and even greater works (Jn 14:12). Throughout the quarter students work to shift from a performance based mentality where their value and identity comes from what they do for God and into an identity where their value comes from who they are as sons and daughters of God alone. Students learn about the nature of transformation by the renewal of the mind and seek to shift from thinking from an earthly perspective to a heavenly perspective in regard to ministry (Matt 16:23).

In each class students come to understand and experience their identity as temples of the Holy Spirit, be convicted of the new nature we have received from Jesus through baptism, live in the power of the Holy Spirit and respond to the authority we have received to expand the kingdom of God for a life of mission. In each class, students encounter new realms of God’s love and how the Father sees us in Jesus.

Q2: Hearing God's Voice & the Prophetic Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Supplemental Reading: The Spiritual Gifts Handbook by Dr. Mary Healy and Dr. Randy Clark

Course Description

Jesus taught us that He is the good shepherd and we are his sheep and that we hear his voice (Jn 10:4). In the first part of this quarter, students will understand that their ability to hear God’s voice comes from who they are in God and not what they do for Him. Students will spend time learning the “language of the Holy Spirit” who speaks to us through us and the discernment needed to identify his voice from either our own or the enemy’s. After growing in greater understanding and confidence to hear God’s voice for their own life, students will learn what it means to share in Christ’s prophetic office (Lumen Gentium 12) and to seek out and discover the prophetic gifts of the Holy Spirit for ministry. As the Scripture teaches that we are to “earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, above all that we would prophesy” (1 Cor 14:1), our students come to understand that the prophetic gifts of the Holy Spirit are simply a matter of hearing God’s voice for the world around us that would have the effect of building up, encouraging and consoling others in Christ (1 Cor 14:3). In this quarter, students will have many creative opportunities for prophetic ministry with one another and opportunities for honest feedback and growth rooted in love.

Q3: power & healing

Supplemental Reading:  Healing: Bringing the Gift of God’s Mercy to the World by Dr. Mary Healy 

Course Description

Before Jesus gave the Eucharist or even the Holy Spirit to his disciples, he called his disciples to preach the Gospel and expected them to heal the sick (Mt 10:7-8; Luke 10:9). Jesus never proclaimed the Gospel without demonstrating and confirming the message with accompanying demonstrations of power – with physical healing being the most frequent sign. In this quarter, students learn a theology of healing that includes the role of healing in evangelization and the wisdom that healing ministry is done from a place of love and compassion for the sick. They will also learn a basic non-Sacramental prayer model for healing ministry and receive many opportunities in a safe and humble environment to participate in healing prayer both as individuals and in team settings. Students will also receive sessions on understanding the role of faith in healing ministry, words of knowledge for healing, the power of peace and how to overcome the discouragement that we can experience when healing does not occur. Overall, students will gain greater confidence to respond to Jesus’ invitation that “all who believe” can be used by God to bring healing to the world around them (Mk 16:18).

Q4: Inner Healing & Freedom

Supplemental Reading: Be Healed by Dr. Bob Schuchts and  Deliverance Ministry by International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services Doctrinal Commission

Course Description

Getting equipped to participate in Jesus’ ministry of “healing the broken hearted and binding up their wounds.”

God has revealed himself as the Lord who “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Ps 147:3). In this quarter, students will be equipped to engage in the ministry of inner healing and freedom. Students will have the opportunity to grow in God’s heart and desire to see the broken made whole and seek to cultivate tools and skill sets to partner with the Holy Spirit to bring healing to the heart. Students will learn the anatomy of the wounds that we experience in life and how to partner with Jesus to bring freedom from the lies, unforgiveness and disorder that come as a result of these wounds. Jesus also desires his children to be free from the influence of evil spirits. This quarter also teaches how to lead people into greater freedom from the influence of the enemy and to walk in the full protection of God (Ps 91, Eph 6).

Q5: Intimacy with God

Supplemental Reading: Personal Prayer: A Guide for Receiving the Father’s Love, by Fr Thomas Acklin and Fr Boniface Hicks (find on Amazon or local retailer)

Course Description

As the students have spent a majority of their time growing and cultivating their ministry gifts and skill sets, they need to understand the necessity of cultivating a greater and mature prayer life and become convinced that all fruitful ministry flows from intimacy with God. Jesus ultimately died for us not just so we could get to heaven, but that we could have the same kind of relationship that He enjoyed with the Father. Jesus modeled for us what intimacy looks like and this intimacy with the Father flows through Jesus in the Holy Spirit. From the richness of our vast spiritual tradition and the teaching of the spiritual doctors of the Church, students will learn how to engage in greater intimacy with God through scripture, meditative prayer, and contemplative prayer. They will dive into the riches in the Song of Songs, learn how to worship and seek after God’s own heart through the witness of David. Students will have an opportunity to grow in intercession, learn the practice of the discernment of spirits and cultivate a lifestyle of practicing the presence of God through abiding in Jesus.

Q6: Advanced Ministry Training

Supplemental Reading: Lord, Renew Your Wonders, by Damian Stayne

Course Description

Receiving from leaders in each area of ministry from the first four quarters and coming to a new level of depth and effect that was not possible in the first year.

In the sixth quarter, we will go into more advanced areas of ministry that we were not able to address in the first year. In this quarter, seasoned leaders in each major area of ministry will be presenting to the students on advanced ministry approaches to seek greater fruitfulness and faith

Q7: Power Evangelization

Supplemental Reading: Do What Jesus Did, by Robby Dawkins & A New Pentecost for The New Evangelization, by Dr. Ralph Martin 

Course Description

Receiving the Father’s heart for the lost and gaining the faith to preach the Gospel and partner with the Holy Spirit to demonstrate the reality and truth of the Gospel with the power of God that He has given us.

Up until this point, all of the content that has been presented to the students can happen inside the four walls of the Church. In this quarter students will learn practical ways to effectively preach and present the Gospel to those in need of His salvation and grow in faith to demonstrate the reality of the kingdom through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Students will learn that evangelization accompanied by demonstrations of the power of God are part of our heritage going back to the early Church (1 Cor 2:3-5). Students will learn that the Church ultimately exists to evangelize and will be exposed to the rich tradition of teaching on evangelization we have as Catholics. They will learn how to present the basic Gospel message and the response that is necessary to the Gospel. Students will learn the power of testimony to opening someone up to faith in Jesus and how to effectively share their testimony. They will discover the keys to growing in faith and boldness to evangelize and practical ways to incorporate the prophetic gifts and healing for Evangelization.

Q8: Leadership & deployment

Supplemental Reading: Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity

Course Description

Being prepared to get launched back into your sphere of influence to see the kingdom dreams become reality through equipping students to become leaders.

Each member of the Church has received a call from God to participate in the Great Commission. To that end, God has put various dreams and visions on the hearts of the faithful to see the kingdom of God manifest in the world. In this quarter, we equip our students first with the faith that God wants to use them and see their kingdom dreams come to pass. He is looking for great saints that want to do great things in the world for him. Flowing from that reality, we will equip our students with practical tools and skills for the ability to both integrate what they’ve learned with existing parishes and communities as well as the wisdom and knowledge needed to launch to build and grow both new and existing apostolates or ministries. Students will also learn and be inspired by current leaders in the New Evangelization that have come before them as well to propel them to go forth from the school to build the kingdom of God in their spheres of influence.

praise

While we recognize, honor and encourage our students to attend Mass as the highest form of worship, our class time praise is focused on becoming aware of God's presence and positioning ourselves in a place of receptivity, surrender, and response to what He is doing. ESM values freedom and joy in our response to God’s goodness. We express this in our school culture through childlike worship. All classes  begin with an extended time of praise as we cultivate our awareness of God’s manifest presence and celebrate together His goodness.. Each satellite campus develops their own team and style of praise, following the same model and core values as all ESM campuses.

 

College Credit

maturing in faith

Partnership with Holy Apostles College & Seminary

Your ESM Graduation credits can earn you advanced standing in the Bachelor’s and Master’s programs at Holy Apostles, so you can complete your degree faster, save money, and start making a bigger impact! Holy Apostles College & Seminary offers an online and flexible approach that is designed for people in ministry who need options that fit their schedules and their calling.

Tom POnchack

Campus Director
Tom Ponchak is a passionate disciple of Jesus. He studied theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville and Asbury Theological Seminary. After several years in Catholic ministry, Tom and his wife, Lisa, left the Catholic Church and joined the Association of Vineyard Churches, a non-denominational, evangelical faith community. He was the founding pastor of Matthew's House Vineyard Church in central Florida. A longing for the Eucharist led them back into full communion with the Catholic Church in 2007. Tom was part of the ESM Online Campus Class of 2022.

Lisa Ponchack

Co-Director
Lisa has been deeply captivated by God's love and his desire to make himself known to us in a deeply personal way. She lives to hear God speak and it has become her passion to help others hear and discern his voice. She is a graduate of Franciscan University and has been involved in ministry for over 25 years. Lisa and Tom have been married for 32 years and have six children, a son-in-law, and one grandchild. She is also a member of Encounter’s Inner Healing & Freedom ministry. Lisa was part of the ESM Online Campus Class of 2022.

Craig Novak

Worship Leader
Craig is a spirit-filled disciple who has a heart for leading others to encounter the Holy Spirit through praise and worship. He spent four years as a full-time campus missionary with The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), and an additional three years as a Director of Philanthropy with FOCUS. He has been married to his wife Maria for 14 years and is blessed with three children. Craig was part of the ESM Online Campus Class of 2022.

Fr. Sean Danda

Year 1 & 2 Instructor
Father Danda is a priest of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis who desires to help people experience the love of the heart of the Father. He was formed for the priesthood at St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul, MN, and the North American College in Rome, Italy. Ordained in 2009, he has served in various roles throughout the Archdiocese and is currently pastor of St. Malachy in Brownsburg.

Nathaniel Rea

Instructor
Nathanael Rea is the Director of Evangelization and Catechesis at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Brownsburg. He is passionate about helping people return to fullness of life through the power of the Holy Spirit. He is a graduate of Hillsdale College, (BA) and the University of Dallas (ME). He and his wife, Geralyn, have been married fourteen years and are blessed with 5 children. Nathanael was part of the ESM Indianapolis Campus Class of 2023.

Karen Beck

Year 1 & 2 Instructor
Karen is a life-long, devout Catholic who is deeply in love with Jesus! She is a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish and serves on several ministry teams there. Karen is a Spanish teacher at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School where she also serves as an adult leader on student retreats and directs a student mission trip each summer to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. She graduated from the Encounter School of Ministry in May 2023 and is on fire to lead others to the heart of Jesus through a renewal of mind by the power of the Holy Spirit!

Mary Jo Gremling

Instructor
Mary Jo celebrates her lifelong journey in the Catholic faith while also appreciating the gifts other Christians bring to the Body of Christ. She is a registered nurse, a grief recovery specialist, an author, a publisher, a retreat leader, and a graduate of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend’s Education for Ministry Program. A member of St. Pius X parish, Mary Jo is active in divorce support ministry. She is passionate about helping hurting people experience the healing love of the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Mary Jo was part of the ESM Indianapolis Campus Class of 2023.

Paige Krohn

Instructor
Paige encountered Christ deeply in college through bible studies with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). After graduating she felt called to spend 3 years as a FOCUS missionary. Upon moving to Indianapolis to begin working as a nurse, she heard about Encounter at a Theology on Tap. She knew the Lord had brought her the opportunity to go through the school. Encounter has given her a new boldness to take with her as a registered nurse in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit at a local hospital and all areas of daily life. Paige was part of the ESM Indianapolis Campus Class of 2025.

Cheri Bush

Instructor
Cheri Bush works at the Archdiocese of Indianapolis as the Catholic Philanthropic Advisor for Catholic Charities. She has worked as a youth minister and social worker before directing two scholarship programs and mentoring hundreds of students at Ivy Tech. She has taught college courses in Human Services and Child Development and served as a parish catechist for children preparing for First Communion and Reconciliation. She also assists with Encounter’s Inner Healing and Freedom Ministry. Cheri was part of the ESM Indianapolis Campus Class of 2024.

Liz Gritt

Instructor
Liz moved is a member of St. Malachy parish in Brownsburg. She was led to become involved with Encounter after her husband passed away and she questioned what her vocation would be going forward in life. Liz has a background in counseling, working most of her professional life with teens. She also homeschooled her 3 children from preschool to college and has been a teacher in several capacities. Liz looks forward to being a part of the Indianapolis ESM team and is excited to share her enthusiasm for the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit. Liz was part of the ESM Indianapolis Campus Class of 2025.

Vivian Tragresser

Instructor
Vivian and her husband, Mike, have three adult daughters who love the Lord and two toddler grandsons. She was first baptized in the Spirit in 1980 and has been a member of the People of Praise, a charismatic covenant community, since 1986. She and Mike are recently retired and are now “Fulltime for Christ!” Vivian has accepted an invitation to be a councilperson with Pentecost Today, USA (formerly the National Service Committee for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal) and has been assigned to their team for Unity and Ecumenism. Mary Jo was part of the ESM Indianapolis Campus Class of 2025.

Michael Tragresser

Instructor
Mike has been involved in the Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church for over 50 years, since being baptized in the Spirit in 1975. He is a member of the People of Praise, an ecumenical covenant community. Mike and his wife Vivian retired from working in 2025 and are looking forward to working full-time building God’s kingdom from now until Jesus returns. Mike was part of the ESM Online Campus Class of 2025.

John Stewart

Instructor
John Stewart is a member of Our Lady of Grace in Noblesville where he serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC) and volunteers with their youth ministry program. Professionally he travels extensively in sports and entertainment. John and his wife Suzanne host the “Marry Your Best Friend Podcast,” have three children, and over 50 animals. John was part of the ESM Indianapolis Campus Class of 2025.

Beth Snyder

Assist. Events Coordinator
Beth was born into a devoutly Catholic family. She has fallen in love with Jesus through the reading of His Word and through times of praise and worship! The Lord has taught her to more clearly hear His voice and to step out in faith to share a word of encouragement with others. Beth is a member of St. Alphonsus Liguori parish where she is involved with Bible Study and is a EMHC to the sick. After graduating from EMS, Beth organized monthly prayer ministry teams at her parish after Sunday Masses. Beth was part of the ESM Indianapolis Campus Class of 2025.

4-day summer intensive

July 27-30, 2026

Try it out! This annual event provides a survey of the content offered in the first four quarters of the Encounter School of Ministry. The summer intensive is perfect for anyone desiring to attend the Encounter School during the year but unable to do so because of distance or schedule. It is also ideal for those discerning their enrollment in the school of ministry but needing greater discernment.

The survey includes: Identity & Transformation • Hearing God’s Voice & the Prophetic Gifts of the Holy Spirit • Power & Healing • Inner Healing & Freedom

bishop-Approved

bishop Timothy L. Doherty • Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana

This campus has been reviewed and welcomed by the diocese. We are so grateful for the many bishops who offer their support and encouragement.

contact

ESM Indianapolis Campus
433 Sycamore St
Westfield, IN 46074

indianapolis@encounterschool.org

   

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