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satellite campus

Shreveport 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

 

    

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overview

team

schedule

contact

apply

events

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.

 

schedule & location

Our Satellite Hybrid Campus offers both the flexibility of learning through online video sessions, along with the powerful in-person learning environment through weekly on-campus classes where you will participate in activations and small groups. This campus follows the same curriculum as all other campuses.

Classes run mid-September through May.


Location: Saint Mary of the Pines Catholic Church, 1050 W Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Shreveport, LA 71118
Class Times: Mondays, 6:30PM-9PM
Application Deadline: Oct. 1

COURSE videos

New class videos are available each week on the student dashboard, taking you through the curriculum with assigned homework practice exercises, extra reading, journal entries or other activities. Watch the two sessions with the flexibility your schedule allows, but completing prior to each weekly in-person class on your campus . All video sessions are taught by our Main Campus instructors and guest instructors. The Online Campus follows the same curriculum as all other ESM campuses. 

student dashboard

Every student has access to an online dashboard which can be accessed through a computer or mobile app. The dashboard contains all the class videos, handouts, assignments, quizzes, and student forum.  

courses

David Duet

Campus Director
David has served in apostolates of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, the Healing Ministry of the Order of Saint Luke, supporting roles in Magnificat, a Ministry to Catholic Women, Steubenville South Youth Conference Prayer Ministry, prayer group pastoral leadership, and liturgical and non-liturgical music and worship leadership. He also received underway formation in the community of People of Praise and is Vatican CHARIS Integral Formation certified. He believes ESM is among the most powerful transformation models available to the Church today and is excited to be engaged in it! Born in Savannah, he now lives in Shreveport, Louisiana with his wife Michele where they enjoy seven adult children and twelve grandchildren.

Michele Duet

Leadership Team
Michele is a proud 2008 convert to the Catholic Church after being raised Southern Baptist and Assembly of God. While attending RCIA, she affectionally and with humor told people she was an Assembly of Batholic! She now cherishes the depth, beauty, and sacramental character of practicing faith as a Christian disciple. Michele is a Servant Leader who has a heart for helping others see the face of Christ. She desires to focus on the spiritual well-being of others; to help them encounter God and lead them to a life in the Holy Spirit. Over the past 30 years, with focus for the poor, for women, and for children, she has served in various roles for non-profit organizations to include board secretary with St. Vincent de Paul; Assistant Director and Regional Communications Coordinator with Magnificat - A Ministry for Catholic Women; Committee Member with St. Jude Miracles on the Red; and as a team member for ACTS Northwest Louisiana. Michele is a wife, mother, Mimi, sister, cousin, aunt, and a friend to many. When not working as an Employee Benefits Account Manager, she enjoys reading, RV travel, and spending time with her family.

Linda Balistrella

Associate Director
Linda married her high school sweetheart, Sam and has two beautiful daughters, and a wonderful son-in-law. In 2011, she attended an ACTS retreat, joined Magnificat and the Children of Light Prayer Group and started going to conferences to experience more of the Holy Spirit. When Sam was diagnosed with prostate cancer, Dr. Mary Healy, Sr. Briege McKenna, Sr. Dulce, Maria Vadia, and Bob Canton inspired her to pray for healing. Knowing that Jesus is still performing miracles today and using some of the techniques learned at conferences, Linda began praying for others in a bolder way. In 2023, she began ESM through the online campus. She has a passion for praying for others especially women, enjoys reading and learning more about her faith, and serving at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Karla Alvarez Gutierrez

Leadership Team
Karla Alvarez Gutierrez was born and raised in Arkansas. She is a proud Mexican American Catholic deeply rooted in her faith and culture. Currently, she serves as the Director of Multicultural Ministries in the Diocese of Shreveport, Louisiana, where her passion for loving and serving the Lord and His people drives her passion. She is excited to witness how God continues to draw His children into deeper intimacy through Encounter Ministries.
In addition to Karla’s ministry work, she enjoys a variety of hobbies that enrich her life. She loves leading praise and worship, capturing moments through photography, and exploring new places through travel. She enjoys spending time outdoors doing various activities. She cherishes time spent with her family and friends and staying active through CrossFit, always seeking balance and connection in all she does.

Deacon Jeff Chapman

Leadership Team & Pastoral Care
A convert to Catholicism, Jeff was raised in the Southern Baptist faith. He was ordained to the permanent deaconate for the Diocese of Shreveport in 2005. He spent 38 years in production management in the fastener industry. The overlap of his secular work and ordained ministry has provided broad ministerial opportunities. He cherishes his role to be a witness to the Gospel through a life of service., Jeff has facilitated numerous spiritual endeavors including ACTS retreats, Prison Ministry, Restorative Justice, Rachel’s Vineyard, and many others. His work with diverse groups in parish-ministry makes him an integral part of the leadership team for the Shreveport campus. . He married his dear wife Sandy in 1975, has one son and two wonderful grandsons.

summer intensive

JULY 13-14 & 20-21, 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 Hybrid Summer Intensive will follow the same format as the Hybrid Campus. Participants will receive access to the videos from Main Campus that can be watched in the week prior to meeting onsite for content review, Q&A, and activations.

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

More info

bishop-Approved

bishop Francis I. Malone • diocese of shreveport

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

all bishop approvals

contact

ESM Shreveport Campus
Saint Mary of the Pines Catholic Church
1050 W Bert Kouns Industrial Loop
Shreveport, LA 71118

shreveport@encounterschool.org

    

Submit your question here:

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