Last year, after attending the Summer Intensive sessions on identity and healing, I began my journey as one of the 44 students at the Encounter School of Ministry (ESM) with the Madison campus.

My experience at last year’s Summer Intensive served as a personal retreat and as a discernment process to see if the Lord was calling me to grow further in my discipleship through Encounter.

However, more recently, this August 3 to 6, I returned to the Summer Intensive training to revisit what I had learned, assist as part of the team, and pray with and for those present.

This time was different; with an even more open heart, I was able to witness God’s power with greater Faith and fidelity to Him.

The Encounter School of Ministry is a ministry training school that seeks to “teach, equip, and activate disciples to demonstrate God’s love through the Holy Spirit in their everyday spheres of influence.”

According to ESM, the three pillars of this mission are: grounding students in Scripture, Tradition, and Church teachings; providing practical tools and comprehensive training in spiritual gifts; and fostering a living faith through experiential classroom practices.

Additionally, ESM offers weekly courses. During the first year of training, it offers four quarters on: Identity and Transformation, Prophetic Voice, Physical Healing, and Inner Healing.

Each quarter builds upon the previous to grow the student’s Faith, increase the expectation that God will indeed move, and amplify the impact of the Holy Spirit’s work — because God is always ready to work.

My personal experience with ESM courses throughout this year and during the intensive summer sessions has been unlike any other.

God has transformed my heart even more, molding it little by little, deepening my knowledge of Him, revealing His truth and love for me, and showing me how He wants me to be transformed. 

I am learning to hear His voice in my life and taking steps of Faith to fulfill His will and calling regarding the people around me.

I am still learning, and there is more for me to discover as I prepare to begin my second year of formation.

I am ready to recognize God even more in my life, to use the gifts He has given me in my ministry and family, and to take further steps of Faith to be an instrument of His compassionate love here on earth.

If you are interested in joining the Encounter School of Ministry, the school is currently accepting applications from English-speaking or bilingual students for in-person classes, and from Spanish-speaking students for online classes.

For more information about ESM or to apply to the school, contact the Madison campus at madison@encounterschool.org or go to encounterschool.org/Madison