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satellite campus

twin cities 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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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.

 

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: NET Ministries, Inc., 110 Crusader Ave W, West St Paul, MN 55118

Class Start Date: September 21st 
Class Times: Mondays, 6PM-9PM
Application Deadline:
Oct. 1
Typical Class Night Schedule:  6:00   Praise & Worship | 6:30   Session 1 | 7:45   Session 2 | 8:45   Small Group Time |  9:00   Dismissal

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.

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.

Dr. James Shackelford

Campus Director
Dr. James Shackelford is the Director of the Twin Cities Satellite Campus and the Director of Ongoing Formation and Discipleship at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Wayzata, MN. He holds two PhDs from the University of Pennsylvania, one in Early Christian Art, Architecture, and Archaeology, and one in Religious Studies specializing in Patristic Christianity. James has 10+ years of ministry experience, working with organizations including Encounter Ministries, Heart of the Father Ministries, and Stone to Flesh. Drawing upon his academic background, James is passionate about pursuing revival in parish life and seeing our parishes recover the evangelistic fervor of the early church.

Teresa Shackelford

Director of Worship & Instructor
Teresa Shackelford (aka Teresa Peterson) is a worship leader, speaker and singer/songwriter. She has played major festivals and conferences (SXSW, NCYC, Abbeyfest) and opened for national acts such as Sidewalk Prophets, Stars Go Dim and Citizen Way. She also served as the Worship Director for Encounter Ministries (2018-20) and has led worship for multiple ministries including Heart of the Father (Unbound), The Culture Project, and WINE (Women In the New Evangelization) and worked with national speakers Fr. Michael Gaitley (33 Days to Morning Glory), Archbishop Chaput, and Relevant Radio's Fr. Richard Simon. Her second Christian EP, Faithful, led to Teresa being featured on New Release Today's 'New Artist Watch' for June 2018. She is married to Satellite School Director James Shackelford and is delighted at her new (and best) title as mom to their lovely daughter Colette.

Fr. Joseph Taphorn

Guest Instructor
Fr. Joseph Taphorn is the Rector of The Saint Paul Seminary in Saint Paul, MN. Ordained in 1997 for the Archdiocese of Omaha, he has strong pastoral experience and expertise in spiritual formation, having worked in various parish and Archdiocesan roles for 25+ years. Fr. Taphorn holds a Master of Arts in Theology Degree from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, and a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He is a leading voice in Catholic theological formation, having served as the Vice President of the National Association of Catholic Theological Schools (NACTS), and in his current roles as both an instructor and member of the Board of Directors for the Seminary Formation Council. He is also an Advisory Council Member for Pentecost Today, USA, and has a passion for providing powerful retreat and conference experiences by introducing people to Christ and the healing power of the Holy Spirit.

zach richards

Director of Tech / Instructor
Zach Richards is the Director of Technology and an Instructor for Encounter Ministries Twin Cities Campus. He also serves as the Youth Director for Community of Christ the Redeemer (CCR) and has 9+ years of high school youth ministry experience with them. Zach is a graduate of the Encounter School of Ministry and also serves on the Dunrovin's DLITE Alumni Board. Prior to his time with Encounter and CCR, he served as a missionary with NET Ministries and helped with Dunrovin's summer programs for 3 summers.

Teresa Richards

Director of Pastoral Ministry/Instructor
Teresa Richards is the Director of Pastoral Ministry for Encounter Ministries Twin Cities Campus, and also serves as the Youth Group Program Lead and Religious Education Lead for Community of Christ the Redeemer. Teresa has 10+ years of youth ministry experience, leading retreats/camps and running leadership training with Community of Christ the Redeemer, Dunrovin Retreat Center and NET Ministries. She is on the Board of Directors and DLITE Alumni Board for Dunrovin Retreat Center. Teresa has a heart for walking alongside people as they grow in discipleship and helping to equip people for what God is calling them into.

Fr. Nick Vance

Instructor
Fr. Nick Vance was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in 2024 and serves as the parochial vicar at Our Lady of Grace in Edina, MN. After several years of involvement with Saint Paul’s Outreach in college at the University of St. Thomas, he graduated with degrees in Communications and Journalism and Catholic Studies. At the Saint Paul Seminary, he graduated with a Master’s of Divinity and a Master’s of Arts in Theology after writing his thesis on the Holy Spirit and divine adoption. Having been trained in Unbound Ministry, Encounter School of Ministry, Sword of the Spirit covenant communities, and many years of experience in the charismatic movement, he is excited to see disciples come alive in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring the love and truth of Jesus Christ to the world.

Summer intensive

august 7 – August 8, 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

archbishop Bernard A. Hebda  • diocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

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

Submit your question here:

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