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

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