ABOUT US
Encounter Ministries exists to unleash the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in the world through teaching, equipping, and activating disciples to demonstrate the love of God through the power of the Holy Spirit.
jesus said, “if you believe in me, you will do the works that I do, and greater things because I’m going to the Father” (Jn 14:12).
mission
Encounter Ministries exists to unleash the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in the world through teaching, equipping, and activating disciples to demonstrate the love of God through the power of the Holy Spirit.
STAFF & LEADERSHIP
Ministries
leadership
fr. mathias thelen
Co-founder / President
Father Mathias was ordained in 2010 and serves as pastor of St. Patrick Church in Brighton, MI. He holds bachelor degrees in both Philosophy and Catholic Studies. He served in several parishes for four years before joining the faculty of Sacred Heart Major Seminary as a spiritual director and assistant professor of theology. In 2016, Fr. Thelen earned his Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Angelicum in Rome. He is the author of the book, Biblical Foundations for the Role of Healing in Evangelization (Wipf and Stock, 2017) and has appeared in documentaries Fearless (2017) and Revive (2020).
patrick reis
Co-founder / Executive Director
Patrick has a passion and drive to see Catholics empowered to walk in the power and love of the Holy Spirit. He carries a strong heart for evangelization, healing, prophetic ministry, contemplative prayer and Christian unity. Patrick ministers and speaks at conferences internationally and was featured in the 2017 groundbreaking “Fearless” documentary and the 2019 “Revive” documentary. He is married to Emily and together they have six children.
dr. mary healy
Encounter School Curriculum Advisor
Mary Healy is professor of Sacred Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and an international speaker on topics related to Scripture, evangelization, healing, and the spiritual life. She is a general editor of the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture and author of two of its volumes, The Gospel of Mark and Hebrews and author of several books. Dr. Healy is chair of the Theological Commission of CHARIS (Charismatic Renewal International Service) in Rome. She serves the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian unity as a member of the Pentecostal-Catholic International Dialogue. In 2014 Pope Francis appointed her as one of the first three women ever to serve on the Pontifical Biblical Commission.
meet the staff
encounter ministries
SARAH KACZMAREK
Director of Pastoral Ministry
Joe Philip
Director of Online Campuses
Fr. Patrick Gonyeau
Instructor
Rachel Grech
Director of Administration
Karen STEPLITUS
Inner Healing & Freedom
Ministry Coordinator
Jay Jong
Director of Encounter Worship
& Director of Projects
Jessica Maciborski
Director of Media & Marketing
Annie reis
Associate Director of Media & Marketing
Ben Pohl
Director of Events
Erin Madden
Administration & Events Assistant
Jacob Wenzel
Staff Assistant
Monica Catapang
Administrative Assistant
Encounter
Worship
SARAH
KACZMAREK
Director of Pastoral Ministry
Fr. Patrick Gonyeau
Instructor
Joe
Philip
Director of Online Campuses
Rachel
Grech
Director of Events
Jay
Jong
Director of Encounter
Worship
JESSICA MACIBORSKI
Director of Media & Marketing
MONICA CATAPANG
Administrative Assistant
Erin maddon
Administrative & Events Assistant
Karen STEPLITUS
Inner Healing & Freedom
Ministry Coordinator
Annie
Reis
Associate Director of Media & Marketing
Jacob Wenzel
Staff Assistant
Ben Pohl
Director of Events
Encounter Worship
healing testimonies
Sharing testimony is to prophesy what God is going to do again. We hope you will receive inspiration and healing from what God has done in the life of others.
Media
Check out our media projects and gain encouragement and inspiration.
speakers
Request Encounter Ministry Speakers for your upcoming event. Availability is limited:
Fr. Mathias Thelen | Patrick Reis | Joe Philip
Sarah Kaczmarek | Fr. Patrick Gonyeau