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2-year school
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Learn to Live a Supernatural Lifestyle
2-Year Program:
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:
School of Identity
Come experience a two-day weekend retreat developed to help you grow in your identity as a son or daughter of God! This school seeks to renew your mind, increase your intimacy with the Father, help you hear the voice of God, receive the power of peace, and prepare you to minister out of your supernatural inheritance in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit! Drawing from the rich tradition of Catholic teaching and Sacred Scripture our dynamic teachers, transformative content, and uplifting culture will prepare you to walk with Jesus under an open heaven.
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
Kansas City
Campus
Kansas City Campus Location:
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
103rd St, Overland Park, KS 66214
The Kansas City 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.
If you have come to believe that Jesus Christ did not die for a powerless church, then you may be looking to experience ‘the more’ that is promised by God. The Encounter School of Ministry will radically renew your mind and transform your life. We would love the opportunity to spend the next year walking with you as we access ‘the more’ that Jesus desires for our life. More information about the school can be found through the class curriculum link above.
2022-23 Class Schedule
General Info
Application Deadline: Monday, Sept. 18th
Classes Start: Monday, Sept. 11th 2023
Class Day & Time: Mondays 6:15-9:15PM
The Encounter School of Ministry is open to Christians of all backgrounds—disciples who believe God calls them to demonstrate His supernatural love in their daily lives. Our curriculum and content is rooted in Catholic Tradition and faithful to Catholic teaching.
“ALTHOUGH WE UNDERSTAND THAT SIGNS, WONDERS AND MIRACLES ARE NOT THE WHOLE GOSPEL, WE ARE CONVINCED THAT THE GOSPEL IS NOT WHOLE WITHOUT THEM.“
COURSES
2-Year Curriculum
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.
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
All satellite campus leaders and instructors are graduates of the Encounter School of Ministry and strive to live out the ESM Core Values.
Eric Wombwell
Director & Instructor
Read Eric's Bio
Eric Wombwell is a gifted teacher with an insatiable hunger for greater intimacy with The Father. Shortly after college, Eric experienced a profound conversion setting his life on a new trajectory of missionary discipleship. Since that time the Lord has been maturing Eric into a charismatic servant-leader with an anointing for teaching.
Eric believes he is living the dream: husband of over 5-years to his beautiful and faithful bride, Jenna; father of two sons, Max (3) and Leo (1); member of a community of friends and family that reflect the love of The Father; and witness to the supernatural wonders available to those eager to call upon the name of Jesus. Eric is zealous to see the Lord renew His wonders in Kansas City!
Nick Redd
Instructor
Bio
Hailing from Alton, IL (just outside of St Louis), Nick moved to Kansas City six years ago by way of Minnesota. Upon graduating college in 2010, Nick signed up for what he thought would be nine months of missionary service with NET Ministries. Those nine months turned into three years after which he joined religious life. He was officially “Brother Nick” for a grand total of six days and 13 hours before “discerning” he was not called to that way of life. He quickly hopped back into full time ministry and served with SPO (Saint Paul’s Outreach) at the University of St Thomas for three years.
In 2016 Nick moved down to Kansas City to help start a Young Adult Chapter with SPO, and he currently serves as the local Regional Mission Director. He lives in Overland Park with his lovely bride Theresa, and two girls Perpetua Joy (2) and Judith Esther (1).
Fr. Andrew Strobl
Instructor
Bio
Fr. Andrew Strobl is the pastor at Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park. After 12 years of priesthood, Fr. Andrew found an opportunity he couldn’t resist: being part of the first class of students in Kansas City for the Encounter School of Ministry. Fr. Andrew has a passion for the Gospel and seeing hearts lit on fire by the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ.
Raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Fr. Andrew competed in debate and forensics throughout high school and college. Never shy of speaking in front of a crowd, Fr. Andrew sees preaching as a way to connect people with the powerful love of God. When he’s able, Fr. Andrew escapes to play board games and tabletop miniature games with other priests. He is a big nerd with a big heart for Jesus Christ and the Church.
Jenna Wombwell
Instructor
Bio
After a lovely southern childhood in Oklahoma, Jenna migrated to the Kansas City area via Benedictine College, where she played soccer and studied Economics. Jenna spent five years in the corporate world, three years in the parish world, and now has her favorite job that she never knew would be her dream job, being a full-time Mama and homemaker.
Jenna is on a mission to bring the Kingdom to marriage, family life, and homemaking. She enjoys the work of daily life- teaching her boys to pray, baking bread for family movie night, reading story after story, keeping the house reasonably tidy, and creating meaningful conversations with other moms at the playground. Jenna lives in Overland Park, Kansas with her incredible husband, Eric, and their two sons, Max (3) and Leo (baby).
Lee McMahon
Instructor & Media
Bio
After a whopping 3-months in the banking world, Lee made the switch into ministry and now serves as the Consultant for Evangelization with the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Growing up a wayward wild-child in the great city of Lawrence, Kansas, Lee found the Lord during his senior year of high school and has since become a Bible-thumping Catholic on fire for serving Jesus and His Church.
After earning a Bachelors of Finance from the University of Kansas, Lee went on to earn his Masters of Theology from the Augustine Institute in Denver, CO. A licensed SCUBA Diver and ultimate frisbee fanatic, Lee is on a twofold mission to redeem the vocation of fatherhood and to sanctify the world through the ‘little way’ of family life. He lives in Overland Park, KS with his amazing wife, Adelle, and their two kiddos Josiah (3) and Gianna (1)
Rachel Thooft
Worship Leader & Instructor
Bio
Rachel Thooft is a musician and worship leader with a passion for seeing the Church experience freedom in Spirit-led worship and a healing relationship with Jesus. She was born to an evangelical pastor who led their family in a journey of conversion that led to the Catholic Church when Rachel was 16. Ever since she has pursued a deeper friendship with and knowledge of God.
She studied Theology at Benedictine College and went on to earn her Masters in Theology from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, MI. It was in Michigan that she first began to recognize a calling to lead worship and after moving back to Kansas City in 2017, she began to lead worship with the SPO YA community in KC. She has been leading that worship team for the past five years.
Eric Wombwell
Director & Instructor
Bio
Eric Wombwell is a gifted teacher with an insatiable hunger for greater intimacy with The Father. Shortly after college, Eric experienced a profound conversion setting his life on a new trajectory of missionary discipleship. Since that time the Lord has been maturing Eric into a charismatic servant-leader with an anointing for teaching.
Eric believes he is living the dream: husband of over 5-years to his beautiful and faithful bride, Jenna; father of two sons, Max (3) and Leo (1); member of a community of friends and family that reflect the love of The Father; and witness to the supernatural wonders available to those eager to call upon the name of Jesus. Eric is zealous to see the Lord renew His wonders in Kansas City!
Nick Redd
Instructor
Bio
Hailing from Alton, IL (just outside of St Louis), Nick moved to Kansas City six years ago by way of Minnesota. Upon graduating college in 2010, Nick signed up for what he thought would be nine months of missionary service with NET Ministries. Those nine months turned into three years after which he joined religious life. He was officially “Brother Nick” for a grand total of six days and 13 hours before “discerning” he was not called to that way of life. He quickly hopped back into full time ministry and served with SPO (Saint Paul’s Outreach) at the University of St Thomas for three years.
In 2016 Nick moved down to Kansas City to help start a Young Adult Chapter with SPO, and he currently serves as the local Regional Mission Director. He lives in Overland Park with his lovely bride Theresa, and two girls Perpetua Joy (2) and Judith Esther (1).
Fr. Andrew Stroble
Chaplain & Instructor
Bio
Fr. Andrew Strobl is the pastor at Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park. After 12 years of priesthood, Fr. Andrew found an opportunity he couldn’t resist: being part of the first class of students in Kansas City for the Encounter School of Ministry. Fr. Andrew has a passion for the Gospel and seeing hearts lit on fire by the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ.
Raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Fr. Andrew competed in debate and forensics throughout high school and college. Never shy of speaking in front of a crowd, Fr. Andrew sees preaching as a way to connect people with the powerful love of God. When he’s able, Fr. Andrew escapes to play board games and tabletop miniature games with other priests. He is a big nerd with a big heart for Jesus Christ and the Church.
Jenna Wombwell
Instructor
Bio
After a lovely southern childhood in Oklahoma, Jenna migrated to the Kansas City area via Benedictine College, where she played soccer and studied Economics. Jenna spent five years in the corporate world, three years in the parish world, and now has her favorite job that she never knew would be her dream job, being a full-time Mama and homemaker.
Jenna is on a mission to bring the Kingdom to marriage, family life, and homemaking. She enjoys the work of daily life- teaching her boys to pray, baking bread for family movie night, reading story after story, keeping the house reasonably tidy, and creating meaningful conversations with other moms at the playground. Jenna lives in Overland Park, Kansas with her incredible husband, Eric, and their two sons, Max (3) and Leo (baby).
Lee McMahon
Instructor & Media
Bio
After a whopping 3-months in the banking world, Lee made the switch into ministry and now serves as the Consultant for Evangelization with the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Growing up a wayward wild-child in the great city of Lawrence, Kansas, Lee found the Lord during his senior year of high school and has since become a Bible-thumping Catholic on fire for serving Jesus and His Church.
After earning a Bachelors of Finance from the University of Kansas, Lee went on to earn his Masters of Theology from the Augustine Institute in Denver, CO. A licensed SCUBA Diver and ultimate frisbee fanatic, Lee is on a twofold mission to redeem the vocation of fatherhood and to sanctify the world through the ‘little way’ of family life. He lives in Overland Park, KS with his amazing wife, Adelle, and their two kiddos Josiah (3) and Gianna (1)
Rachel Thooft
Worship Leader & Instructor
Bio
Rachel Thooft is a musician and worship leader with a passion for seeing the Church experience freedom in Spirit-led worship and a healing relationship with Jesus. She was born to an evangelical pastor who led their family in a journey of conversion that led to the Catholic Church when Rachel was 16. Ever since she has pursued a deeper friendship with and knowledge of God.
She studied Theology at Benedictine College and went on to earn her Masters in Theology from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, MI. It was in Michigan that she first began to recognize a calling to lead worship and after moving back to Kansas City in 2017, she began to lead worship with the SPO YA community in KC. She has been leading that worship team for the past five years.
APPLY
Cost of Tuition
Satellite Campus
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
KC STUDENT TESTIMONY
EKC Student Testimonial
“This semester had lifted my spirit and I feel closer to God and that when I pray, I feel more like a daughter than a servant. I want to continue being a servant but I feel more a part of a family with God as head of that family. I have learned that I can ask God a question and upon quiet peaceful waiting I can receive an answer within a few minutes. I can tell when it’s my thought vs God speaking. I have more trust/confidence that God answers prayers.”
EKC Student Testimonial
“God has transformed me immensely. I used to feel promptings to share something with someone and I’d be nervous to share. And often when I’d share, I’d water it down for fear of what they might think of me. Fast forward to now, I have been receiving images and words for friends and family and God has given me this freedom and boldness to just share his word with them. It’s so hard to describe this feeling of freedom…it’s really more of a deep trust He has instilled in me that I am called, chosen, empowered to speak His love to the world around me.”
EKC Student Testimonial
“This quarter transformed my confidence in the Lord and in myself. I learned so much about a gift I had already been growing in. Each class took it to a much deeper level. I felt like I was given permission to use the muscles I was already being encouraged to use but didn’t have all the training I needed to use them properly. Now, I feel equipped and have the confidence to respond to the invitations that are on my heart; to love people and see them through Jesus’s lens.”
EKC Student Testimonial
“Through our activations, I was able to grow in my awareness of what the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit’s voice sound like in my prayers and daily life. Through praying for others and having them pray for me in return, Jesus is increasing my capacity to hear His voice and be obedient to what He asks of me. The feedback we receive after praying is particularly helpful. I am finding more value in my daily life because I am more attentive to the heart of Jesus when I walk around. Praise God! He is fulfilling my desires for intimacy, adventure, and surprises in my daily life.”
EKC Student Testimonial
“This quarter transformed my confidence in the Lord and in myself. I learned so much about a gift I had already been growing in. Each class took it to a much deeper level. I felt like I was given permission to use the muscles I was already being encouraged to use but didn’t have all the training I needed to use them properly. Now, I feel equipped and have the confidence to respond to the invitations that are on my heart; to love people and see them through Jesus’s lens.”
EKC Student Testimonial
“The instructors are all so passionate! You can tell they really love what they’re doing! They made it fun! What did I enjoy most? The practicum at the end really boosted my confidence and brought it all together for me. I went in anxious and after praise and worship, I felt nothing but excitement to get going! I never heard from the Lord more then I did that night! It was very encouraging!”
EKC Student Testimonial
“I joined Encounter hoping to become closer to Jesus. I have experienced far more. Jesus is truly a good friend. Reading the Bible has given me a deeper understanding of Jesus. I hear Jesus speak giving me a clearer vision and feel like life is flowing very peacefully.”
EKC Student Testimonial
“That there was clarity. From the start of class, everything was well outlined and stated so I could know what to expect. At the end of the quarter, everything was followed through on to the “T”. I appreciate that because it creates trust and it creates an environment that can be entered into.”
EKC Student Testimonial
“Baptism in the Holy Spirit was a new and memorable moment for me. The height and depth of the love from the Holy Spirit that flowed through the room was remarkable and awe inspiring, peace filled and satiating.”
EVENTS & NEWS
FULL CALENDARThank You to
Our Archbishop
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.
Thank You to
Bishop James Johnston
The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph have both reviewed and welcomed Encounter Ministries.
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
Is it licit for lay people to lay hands on the sick?
What if I "lost" my healing?
Are "charisms" part of an optional spirituality?
Do you need the "gift" of healing or prophecy to minister in these gifts?
Did Jesus really reject signs and wonders?