An Encounter is an intense spiritual journey. It is a means to getting through all the distractions of life and eliminating the hinderances that keep us from experiencing God's fullness in our lives. Some have referred to it as Cleansing Stream on steroids.

What is the format?

Encounter consists of a series of seminars called Pre-encounters and Post-encounters and a 3 day retreat at a remote location, usually a hotel or conference center. Since March of 2007, we have been holding our Encounter retreats at William Carey International University. The Pre-Encounter seminars are three 1 hour classes designed to spiritually prepare eahc particiapnt to make the most of the Encounter weekend retreat. Each seminar includes a time of worship and 1 on 1 ministry. The three Pre-encounters precede the Encounter itself which is a 3 day and 2 night long retreat. The retreat ends on Sunday night with a receiving celebration at Angelus Temple Hispanic Church where participants can share testimonies of what God did for them at the retreat, if they feel led to. The retreat is followed by two Post-Encounter seminars. Each session is essential to the process of Encounter which is why if you choose to participate you must attend all sessions and strictly adhere to the conference schedule..

Who came up with the idea?

That is not too well known. Retreats based on this format began in Central America amongst the Pentecostal churches and are commonly held across the nation. Our testimony here at Angelus Temple Hispanic is that since we began holding these retreats, we have seen the power of God fall mightily and have experienced renewal on a churchwide level. The response has been so great that we are holding these retreats 4 to 6 times a year taking groups on average from 12 to as many as 60 particpants to each Encounter.

What happens at an Encounter?

What happens at Encounter stays at Encounter! The experience you will have at an Encounter will be deeply personal and life changing which is why you will not hear much about the details of what happens at an Encounter from people who have gone to one. The schedule and content of the retreat are not discussed until the participants arrive for the retreat. Participants will gladly tell their testimonies of how God touched them but you will not get many of the details about the seminars until you experience it for yourself. The reason for this is two-fold. First, the experience has greater impact and creates a sense of “What’s going to happen next” as it unfolds for each participant. Secondly, it is our nature as humans to attempt to analyze and dissect the work of the Holy Spirit. With Encounter, this simply cannot be done. I Corinthians 1:27 says that "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.." Every Encounter is as unique as the people who participate. That, along with it’s sheer simplicity is the beauty of Encounter.

How do I know Encounter is for me?

God meets you where you’re at! Encounter is unique in that it doesn’t matter if you’re a new believer or if you have been in ministry for years. The Lord will meet you where you’re at. All who have participated in an Encounter have come away with transformed lives, fresh vision for their ministries and a deeper level of intimacy with God. Many have been healed and most receive fresh baptisms in the Holy Spirit. Many have had prophetic dreams and open eyed visions, or have heard God's voice more clear than they ever had before. They have experienced God’s presence like never before and all have come away with incredible testimonies. Our entire pastoral staff here at Angelus Temple Hispanic were the first to go to an Encounter and they have in turn shared the experience with us, the congregation. We now have two full leadership teams leading encounters in English and in Spanish all year long! The Dates vary but they are held roughly 4 to 5 times a year in either language. Sometimes the Encounters will be targeted to an age group or specific demographic depending on the need (i.e. Marrieds, Singles, high school college age or 40 and over) but most of the Encounters are open to marrieds or singles, 18 and over. Contact us for more information on the next Encounter.

Why does it Sound to good to be true?

It is important to note that there is nothing out of the ordinary about Encounter. The format is simple and the message is understandable to all age groups, walks of life and leveles of spiritual discernment. This is not some new doctrine or revelation from God. Malachi 3:6 says, "I the lord do not change." Likewise in Hebrews 13:8 says "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." What makes the Encounter ministry so successful is that it is God breathed and Holy Spirit inspired and is in the flow of favor that God gives when we obey His commands and return to the Lord with all of our hearts. Every Encounter that we have had at our church has been marked by an amazing visitation of the Holy Spirit in power. The simple fact is that when believers come together and cry out to God in desperation and with open hearts to receive from Him, the Spirit of God will always meet us where we are at. Encounter embodies what God is doing in this season for His church in preparing us for the global harvest!

I’d like to have an encounter at my church!

Transformation in a church body always begins from the top down. If you’re interested in bringing this ministry to your church, please contact us and upon approval from our church leaders, we will take your leadership team on an Encounter and provide training to begin taking your congregation through the Encounter process.

OK, I want to go! What do I do now?

The qualifications are simple.
1. You should be a born again believer or be willing to accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior.
2. You should be open to the workings of the Holy Spirit including divine healing, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues and deliverance ministry.
3. You must be willing to commit to the entire process of pre-encounter and post-encounters.
4. If you are not presently attending Angelus Temple Hispanic Church and already have a church home, please bring a letter of permission from your pastor or leader.

How do I get the most out of an Encounter?

Every Encounter is unique. The only gaurantee is that if you are open to receive from God, He will transform your life. The people who have experienced the most stunning and dramatic transformations at an Encounter are consistently those who go with an attitude of humility, openness before God, a willingness to be vulnerable and a deep desire, even a desperation to experience Him in a new way without any pretensions or preconceived ideas of what He can and will do in their lives. This transformation occurs regardless of their age, background or ministry experience.

How should I prepare myself?

A great way to prepare for your Encounter would be a time of prayer and fasting especially during the Pre-Encounters.

You may contact us by e-mail for more information at
encounter@athispanic.org