Where your past has no future and Hope is reborn.
The Encounter Community
Encounter is a multi-generational community of ordinary people following an extraordinary God. Our hearts and doors are wide open to people of all backgrounds, regardless of where you might be on your spiritual journey. Your personal history, the color of your skin, or even the clothes you wear are all irrelevant to our invitation to you. Here at Encounter, we believe God has mandated us to do three things...
Encounter God. It is our deepest desire to whole-heartedly worship God and respond to the great love He pours out on us. It is through a genuine encounter with God that real transformation takes place in our lives and those around us. We also believe that is the greatest honor and privilege to truly know this great God.
Equip and encourage one another. God has called us to make disciples, not just church-goers. We believe that we need each other in this journey called life to share experiences, pass along wisdom and encourage each other to grow in Christ. To us, it's more about building up people into what God has called them to BE instead of just what they've been called to DO.
Engage the culture around us. Not everyone will preach from a pulpit but we are all ministers to the world around us. We believe God has called us as a community to be a voice of spiritual awakening to those all around us. Jesus taught us the value of transforming cities and regions, one life at a time. By pointing past ourselves and directing those around us to set their eyes on God, people will encounter the "real thing" and the very culture of families, communities, cities, and nations will be changed by this great God.
Thank you so much for visiting and feel free to take a look around. Let us know if you have any questions or comments via our contact form at the bottom of the site. May you know how great the Father's love is for you.
The Encounter Team
Meet The Team
Michael & Gale Beth Rice
Lead Pastors
We met and were married 32 years ago and have been blessed with two incredible children, Gabriel (and his wife Alisha) and Josiah (J.J.). We both came to know Jesus through radical encounters and we have been loving and serving Him as a family ever since. As a family, it's our vision to see the Bride of Christ awaken and demonstrate the kingdom principals that unleash God's glory to passionately evangelize the world. We want to see the church take God out-of-the-box and invade a lost and broken world, releasing the love of the Father... thus fulfilling Malachi 4:6. Michael enjoys the outdoors and Gale Beth loves singing. We both love to travel and enjoying time with family.
Jeff & Traci
Swartz
Encounter Life Outreach
Hello, my name is Jeff, I have been happily married for 32 years to my wife Traci. We have two children and one grandbaby.
I have been a blue-collar worker for most of my adult life until I sensed the call of life in the early '90s, which started my journey.
Then Traci and I attended a bible college in Oklahoma, after which we worked with a youth group in Ohio.
For the next 15 years, we also worked as business owners in a mechanical trade. During this time I furthered my knowledge with college courses. As my Heavenly Father would have it, we found ourselves at Encounter Church in Streetsboro, Ohio. It wasn't long before we joined and became part of the leadership team at Encounter Church. Looking back at life and the bread crumbs along the way, I now sense we have arrived at a place and time, where Encounter Life Outreach is right for us in every way. I look forward to all that we can accomplish as we help others overcome life killing addictions
Ira & Mindy
Clark
Youth & Children's Pastors
We have been married for 21 years and are blessed to have 3 wonderful daughters. Together, we have served in full-time ministry with children for 9 years through Encounter. Our belief is that children are an integral part of the body of Christ and that we are entrusted to teach them about God and His son Jesus Christ. We are given the calling to raise up the next generation to love God, know Him and walk in relationship with Him. Most importantly, we are to teach children that God loves them and that He has a purpose for each of them. Proverbs 22:6
Encounter Worship
Services
Worship is the very reason for our existence. We were all made to encounter our creator in the intimacy of worship. Here at Encounter we desire to commune with God in a corporate gathering together, worshiping God together in one voice. We believe that worship is not limited to music, songs or a half-hour block during a Sunday morning church service. Worship is creative, artistic and can be expressed in many forms of art, dance, spoken word and music.
Young At Heart
Seniors
Young At Heart is our seniors ministry here at Encounter. We believe that God still has a fresh vision and fresh revelation for even the most seasoned saint. We have a once a month gathering on Tuesdays where we share in food, fellowship, worship and get to hear testimonies of God's grace in each others lives. Come and hear what God still has in store for you!
Bless Your Art
Women's Group
Bless Your Art is a fun night for all women, ages 16 & up, where we allow time for creating papercraft and also friendship. The sole purpose is to edify the Lord by making Him first, then edify each other by lifting each other as needs are made known. The end result being: That Jesus Christ be lifted-up & each other be edified and in the process, we create an atmosphere for God to move, enabling Him to make His presence know. It will result in the most ultimate create experience... for signs, miracles & wonders to happen in our midst.
Men's Alpha
Group
Alpha Group is a small group for men that are looking to rediscover the lost art of manhood. This midweek gathering is off campus and welcomes men of all generations. It is our endeavor to hear from God about what a real husband, father, son, friend and man is supposed to be.
Wrecked Youth Group
Wrecked is a place where teens in middle school and high school can come together to encounter God, encourage one another and learn how to impact our culture at school, home and everywhere else. We meet every Wednesday night at 7pm in the Upper Room above the gymnasium for a time of worship, prayer, the word and hanging out. We also go to other events like youth rallies, summer youth camp and other fun events.
Impact Kids
Children's Ministry
Impact Kids is all about showing kids the love of the Father. In a society where there has been a breakdown of the family unit, now more than ever we need to show kids that they're loved and cared for. We meet every Wednesday night at 7pm in the gymnasium to hang out, have fun, learn about God and show love to one another.
Kids Encounter
Preschool
At Kids Encounter, we know children learn best by investigating, exploring and playing not by being crammed up in a small room all day. That’s why our center has one of the largest amounts of space dedicated to providing all the room your little one needs, including a full size gymnasium.
Being a non-profit daycare our bottom line is not financial. Our bottom line is providing incredible child care at an affordable price.