Sunday, May 25, 2008 The Start of Something New

AN UPDATE
We wanted to update you on what's been going on. Since December, we've felt seriously nudged by God to get involved with a church plant (start a new church). More specifically, I've felt the desire to reach out to people that "traditional" churches are not effective at reaching - what I call "this generation" and "those who are far from God." Not knowing how this might take place, we've been praying and waiting for God to show us more.

The "more" came into clarity when we came into contact with representatives of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. Some of you may know of the lead pastor there, Andy Stanley. While recently being listed as the third most influential church in America, North Point is a dynamic community near Atlanta that has proven effective at reaching this generation and leading them into a growing relationship with Jesus. That's our desire, too!

Recently, North Point has ramped up their initiative to launch "strategic partnership" churches throughout the country - and we have been talking about partnering with them as a Lead Pastor to start such a church. We are just in the beginning stages of this process, but need your prayer, support, and feedback.

HOW YOU FIT IN
We would love to discuss with each of you personally to tell you more, answer questions, and share concerns. For now, we've attached our vision for this church plant (pdf), which we are calling "Encounter". Please look it over to see how God might be using you to be a part of what He's doing in Helena.

WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS
Please pray for us and this process. Pray that we would have the boldness and clarity to effectively communicate the vision of Encounter. Please pray for direction and guidance as we seek to partner with North Point Ministries.

We ask that you pray for people, even yourself, to consider God's call to be a part of Encounter as either a founding member or support partner. And please pray that God would prepare the people of Helena, especially those who are far from God, for a new community like Encounter - and that we would be effective at leading them into a growing relationship with Jesus.

Thank you in advance. For those of you who are not here in Helena with us, we miss you guys.

Meet The Pastor

Pastor Eric and the Powell family are grateful to have served and impacted the Helena community in this journey. Right now, we are seeking God's direction to plug into a new vibrant ministry or church planting team. More specifically, Eric is passionate about worship, media, and arts in an authentic and relevant ministry environment. If you know a team looking for a worship/media/arts guy, please direct them to Eric's website here.

Meet Eric Powell, lead pastor/planter of Encounter. Eric and his wife Andrea have a deep passion to connect those who do not resonate with traditional church — those who have given up on church — with a passionate and purposeful faith in Jesus that goes beyond once a week and into our everyday lives.

While this is Eric's first role as lead pastor, he has served in ministry for nearly 20 years in the areas of worship and youth. He and Andrea have helped challenged traditional ministries to move outside the box in communicating Jesus' unconditional love in non-traditional ways.

With a desire for all ages to discover a full and fulfilling life, Eric is intentional about serving the needs of our community. He currently serves on board of directors for Youth Connections and is an active member of Downtown Helena.

Eric also has a deep love for the creative arts. He is an accomplished musician and songwriter currently instructing keyboard at "Montana's School of Rock" Capital Fret in downtown Helena. With a graduate degree in Worship studying ministry leadership, he has served as the Worship & Arts Pastor at three different churches building effective artist and musician teams from the ground up. He also has an undergraduate degree in Communications with emphasis in marketing and graphic design.

The Powells and their two sons Andrik (16) and Kellin (11) live in the Helena North Valley. They enjoy meeting new people, riding bikes, card & board games, watching movies, songwriting, listening to music, and reading books, all while developing a growing intimate relationship with Jesus in the the context of real life.

Get together for coffee with Eric & Andrea here.
Read more of Eric and Andrea's passion here.
Read more of Eric and Andrea's journey here.

	Become Eric's Friend on Facebook
	Follow Eric on Twitter

Our Journey To Start Encounter

The journey toward planting a new faith community in Helena began in 2004 when Eric Powell accepted the Worship Arts Pastor position at Hannaford Street Bible Church.

While Helena's churches seemed effective at serving specific groups of people in the community, it was in this capacity that Eric and his wife Andrea began to sense a lack of connection and passion for those of this generation and for those who do not connect with traditional ways of doing church.

They soon felt God moving them to take a risk on a passion that He’s planted deep within. Not knowing what this risk might entail, the Powell family began praying and patiently waiting for God to show them more.

Some of that “more” involves what Bill Hybels talks about in his book Holy Discontent. Hybels says that God places within us the ability to see “broken things” in areas that we are passionate about. God is not calling us to complain or fret over these “broken things,” but to let them serve as fuel for action to follow His leading.

CALLED TO BROKEN THINGS

Having not grown up in the church, Eric has the ability to see what in done in ministry from the un-churched person’s point of view. He has seen the ways that our churches struggle to connect and share the life-giving message of Jesus with people who, for the most part, see church as irrelevant. He has also seen the way the church has had difficulty speaking into the lives of young people. Essentially, our churches are effective at reaching certain groups of people, but with those Eric and Andrea have the greatest heart for — our effectiveness is “broken.”

God is calling us to step out and attend to this “broken” thing.

More specifically, God has given Eric and Andrea the vision and desire to reach out to people that “traditional” churches in Helena are not effective at reaching; what we at Encounter call “this generation” and “those who are far from God.” We desperately resonate and identify with those who are not familiar with or who do not connect with traditional church models — who see traditional church as lacking or irrelevant at best, and repelling at worst.

BEING COMFORTABLE WOULD BE EASIER

Rick Warren says that “neither past nor future generations can serve God’s purpose in this generation.” What Eric and Andrea realized is that God had been preparing them for such a time as this. Moving from worship to planting a church is not so much a new direction, but a wider emphasis. Eric says, "Now God is asking us to encourage people to worship God not just with song, but with their whole lives."

As they first explored this calling, Eric and Andrea learned that planting a church would be easier somewhere else other than Helena. Some church planting groups would be much more likely to provide substantial support if Encounter were planted in a larger metro area.

But that is not where God has shown them a great need for a new faith community to connect with this generation and those far from God. Andrea says, "We believe God is not calling us to plant where it is easy, but where there is a need, and specifically where we have a heart for the community."

Craig Groeschel says "In order to reach people that no one is reaching, you have to do something that no one is doing." That is exactly what Encounter is all about. This is such a large endeavor, we know we will completely and utterly fail without God. And that is the best situation to be in — completely dependent on Him.

We invite YOU to take a risk as part of Encounter — to make a difference in Helena to help create a new kind of church. A church for people who don't like church. A faith community for imperfect people looking to share an imperfect journey of faith with one another.

Check out the menu links above find out more.

Our Heart And Passion For This Generation

The heart and passion behind Encounter is to gather a new community of believers specifically focused on reaching the unconnected of this generation. That especially refers to those unchurched and dechurched in their 20's and 30's who haven't found church to be relevant and essential to their lives.

So while we are creating a faith-community that is welcome to young and old, believers and nonbelievers alike, we will design our gatherings and events for a younger audience. Experiential, relevant, and technologically-enabled gatherings are more likely to reach a younger generation AND also reach older adults. But the reverse is not true. When we design our services for an older audience, the younger crowd will not show up.

These are environments where people can be excited about bringing their friends; where people will experience something so different, unique, and life-giving that they want to come back, whether they believe the teaching or not.

These are environments where people can experience God through "touchstones" in their life experience and culture; environments where things are done with excellence and where people will encounter a creative God as a result of everything we do. This is our passion and the embodiment of both our vision and strategy for Encounter.

Why The Name "Encounter"?

We are no longer meeting together for worship gatherings, and are bringing the Encounter Church ministry to a close. Click here to read more.

The vision of Encounter is to "be something out of the ordinary that catches people's attention so they can encounter God."

It is derived from Moses’ encounter with God through the burning bush in Exodus 3. Those far from God are living their lives apart from His will and purpose.

In the Exodus account, Moses was tending his sheep when the Lord "appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, 'I will go over and see this strange sight — why the bush does not burn up.'"

Much like Moses, we are presented with potential "encounters" with God that will lead to a transformed life through a growing relationship with Jesus. But we are often too burdened and distracted to recognize and respond. Part of what Encounter Church is about is freeing people from those burdens and distractions and allowing them to take that next step.

No matter where someone is spiritually — skeptic, new believer, returning to the faith, growing believer — we want them to be moving forward in their faith relationship with Jesus Christ. That's because we see discipleship not as a goal to achieve, but as a process of becoming more and more intimate with Jesus Christ.

Read more about our vision, mission, and 3 essentials here.

Vision, Mission, and 3 Essential Relationships

We are no longer meeting together for worship gatherings, and are bringing the Encounter Church ministry to a close. Click here to read more.

For Encounter, our desire need to keep things simple. It is our intention to make a huge impact by staying focused on who God has called us to be and what He's called us to do. That is why we are a "burning bush, it is why we think "moving forward" is so important, and it is why everything we do is designed to help people Encounter, Experience, and Engage.

Read More:

About our VISION – Encounter's Unique Personality
About our MISSION – Our Ultimate Goal
About our STRATEGY — Our Relational Approach

Our VISION is to be something out of the ordinary that catches people's attention so they can encounter God.

Connected to the image of Moses' burning bush experience in Exodus 3, we want to be something that is different, something that is extraordinary, that catches the attention of a city and a people attention so they can hear the voice of God.

We want to remove as many obstacles, distractions, and barriers as we can so that this generation and beyond can experience an authentic, life-changing encounter with Jesus.

More specifically, we have found that people tend to like Jesus but not the church. They have been turned off or wounded by traditional models of "doing church." Their view of what the Church and what following Jesus is supposed to be has been skewed by many things — but often by a lifeless, passionless, empty representation of faith that is judgmental, self-righteous, and downright boring.

In a broad sense, we envision a dangerous church, an assembly, a gathering, a faith community, a group of people, who are drawn together to pursue what it means to boldly follow Jesus beyond Sunday, and in the missional context of real life in our community.

Our MISSION is to see people moving forward toward a growing relationship with Jesus.

Our mission comes from Jesus' parting words from Matthew 28, "Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."

Basically, as we live our lives, we are to relationally connect with people in such a way that it encourages an encounter with Jesus.

After that encounter, we want to see people moving forward in their spiritual journey. No matter where someone is spiritually - skeptic, new believer, returning to the faith, growing believer - we want them to be moving forward in their faith relationship with Jesus Christ.

That's because we see discipleship not as a goal to achieve, not as list of items to check off until we have reached a certain point — but discipleship is a process of becoming more and more intimate with Jesus Christ.

Our STRATEGY is to create opportunities where people are encouraged and equipped to encounter God, experience community, and engage culture.

Jesus said in Matthew 22, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."

It sounds simple, but Jesus is basically saying that loving God and loving your neighbor is what everything comes down to. Everything that has been written in the scriptures is summed up in relationships. "Loving God" and "loving others" is evidence of a moving forward in our faith relationship with Jesus.

We've defined "loving God" as developing an intimacy with Him. We see the inward focus of "loving our neighbor" as doing life together in discipleship and accountability with others connected with Encounter. We see the outward focus of "loving our neighbor" as engaging and transforming our culture by investing our lives into others— both individuals and organizations in our community.

In everything we do, we will intentionally pursue these three essential relationships.

ENCOUNTER GOD (e1) Growing faith through intimacy with Jesus (Relationship with God)

EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY (e2) Developing authentic relationships by doing life together (Relationships with others of faith)

ENGAGE CULTURE (e3) Transforming culture by investing in trust relationships (Relationships with others in the community)

Our core values form our unique DNA and culture - Check them out here.

Core Values: Our Unique DNA and Culture

Some values, such as truth and scripture, are non-negotiable.
But these core values make up the unique DNA and culture of Encounter.

Creative

We know there is life in the creative actions of our God and want people
to experience that life as a result of all we creatively do through Jesus.

Authentic

We will be real and transparent in our life struggles and successes in order
to remove barriers in our personal relationships with Jesus and others.

Relational

We believe life transformation happens best
in the context of personal relationships.

Relevant

We will speak into people’s lives with the true relevance of Christ in ways that they
can experience God through "touchstones" in their life experience and culture.

Intentional

We believe that when we are purposeful and focused in our actions, we stand
a much better chance of being able to accomplish significant things.

Excellent

We will do the very best that we can with what God has given us
because excellence honors God and inspires people.

What We Believe...

We are no longer meeting together for worship gatherings, and are bringing the Encounter Church ministry to a close. Click here to read more.

About God

We believe in one God who exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus Christ is the second member of the Trinity (the Son of God) who became flesh to reveal God to man and to become the Savior of the lost world.

About Mankind

We believe that mankind was created in the image of God to have fellowship with Him but became alienated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, man is incapable of regaining a right relationship with God through his own effort.

About Salvation

We believe that the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the sole basis for the forgiveness of sin. Therefore, salvation occurs only when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin.

About the Scriptures

We believe the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God and that men were moved by the Spirit of God to write the very words of Scripture. Therefore, we believe the Bible is without error and reveals the very character and heart of God.

About the Christian Life

We believe that every Christian will live for Christ and not for himself. By obedience to the Word of God and daily yielding to the Spirit of God, every believer will mature and be conformed to the image of Christ.

About the Church

We believe that the church is the body of Christ, of which Jesus Christ is the head. The members of the church are those who have trusted by faith the finished work of Christ. The purpose of the church is to glorify God by loving Him and by making Him known to the lost world.

We are taking a non-denominational approach to be something different that helps people encounter God in a tangible way in the context of real life. A more comprehensive listing of our core beliefs can be downloaded here.

The best way to understand and learn about any community is to experience it on the relational level. Statements of faith can tell you what a faith community's beliefs are, but they can’t tell you who they are and more importantly, how they live out those beliefs in real life.

If you’d like to truly discover who we are at Encounter, please click on the 'Get Involved' menu item above and get together with us as we 'do life together'.

Sneak-Peek Worship Gatherings

Our new Sneak-Peek Worship Gatherings are an opportunity to meet new people, to experience an awesome live worship band that is a little edgy and a little loud, and to participate in an interactive spiritual discussion. Something like our Friday Night FWD on steroids.

These gatherings are an opportunity to get a "sneak peak" of the unique, creative, and casual vibe of the Encounter community — a perfect place to Encounter God, Experience Community, and then move forward to Engage Culture.

No judgment, no expectations, just Jesus.

Burn!

Our Summer series is "Burn." What is it that burns within you? What do you burn for? And how is that burning connected with Jesus?

We'll talk about the "Burning Bush" experience in Exodus 2 and discuss how we can be set free and delivered to the awesome life that God already has prepared for us.

We will see how through that burning, lives will be changed for the positive and death turned to life — we are going to see the spiritual landscape of Helena transformed through authentic relationships and selfless acts of service.

Come Encounter & Experience

So we invite you to Encounter God in an authentic way and Experience Community with others who have the same questions and are on the same journey. Our music, our atmosphere, and our way of connecting the spiritual truths to everyday life will help engage your motivation to know God in a more intimately.

ENCOUNTER KIDS

Your kids can participate and enjoy the music with you. Then during the discussion, they can join with kids their age and engage in fun learning activities that will help them Encounter God and Experience Community in their own way.

LOCATION & TIMES

We meet in the heart of downtown Helena at the 38 Dunphy Block Building. We're right across the street from the Mediterranean Grill and just behind the Base Camp. Look for the Encounter Church signs.

Our Sneak-Peek Worship Gatherings are something special as we gear up for our Grand Opening of our Public Worship Services on 10-10-10. Therefore, these gatherings are once a month for July, August, and September on Sunday evenings from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. That way you and the kids can get home in time for work and school the next day.

– Sneak-Peek Worship Gathering | Sunday, July 25 @ 5:30pm
– Sneak-Peek Worship Gathering | Sunday, August 22 @ 5:30pm
– Sneak-Peek Worship Gathering | Sunday, September 19 @ 5:30pm
– Grand Opening Worship Gathering | Sunday, October 10 @ 5:30pm | RSVP on Facebook here

Connection BBQs: Friends, Games, Food, Passion

At Encounter, we value authentic relationships. Building strong relationships and meeting new friends are important to us.

That is why we are setting aside some casual times throughout this Summer so that you can connect with others who are your same journey.

Come out for our next Connection BBQ to mingle and get to know others like you.

There will be time to socialize, participate in games, have some food, and even find out more about how you passions could be part of something greater in Helena.

You might want to know more about us at Encounter, or you may be "burning" to use that gift or talent that God has given you. Either way, these Connection BBQs are all about building relationships and connecting your passions.

– Saturday, July 17 @ 4pm | Powell Home | RSVP on Facebook here
– Saturday, September 11 @ 4pm | Powell Home

View the video above or on YouTube here.

Friday Night FWD: Friends. Worship. Discussion.

Friday Night FWDs is morphing into something greater. We enter the Summer months with a new schedule as we Countdown 2 Launch. READ MORE ABOUT IT HERE.

ABOUT FRIDAY NIGHT FWD

Friday Night FWD is a small to mid sized group gathering that meets every other week on Friday evenings. The FWD (forward) stands for Friends, Worship, and Discussion, and covers the three main components of each gathering.

FRIENDS

We gather to connect with friends in a casual environment where you can be yourself — no judgment or expectations — so you can express yourself freely and feel at home.

WORSHIP

Each gathering, there is some great worship. From a full-band to solo artists, we often bring in guest leaders, singers, musicians, and other creative worship elements that will keep worship edgy and fresh...and a little bit loud.

DISCUSSION

We are excited about exploring life and faith through authentic and real discussion. Using a conversational, story-telling approach we present a topic of discussion each time. Then in one or more groups we are free to explore and discuss that topic to examine how the truths of scripture apply to everyday life

View all Friday Night FWD gatherings.

JOURNEY WITH US

We invite you to come to the next Friday night gathering. Journey with us together as we explore what it means to follow Jesus in a real, tangible way.

Friday Night FWD is the perfect entry point where you can encounter God, experience community, and then move forward to engage your culture. It is also a great way to get to know these people called Encounter. More importantly it is a great way to connect with friends, participate in a some great worship, and engage in a real spiritual conversation about life and faith.

ENCOUNTER KIDS

We are now offering EncounterKids during each week's interactive discussion (unless mentioned otherwise). Your kids can participate and enjoy the music with you. Then during the discussion, they can join with kids their age and engage in a learning activity focused on a similar theme to the adult discussion. That way, you and your children can discuss the same thing on the way home!

NEW DOWNTOWN LOCATION

On Friday, April 16 @ 7pm, we're moving back to the heart of downtown Helena in the Dunphy Building. We're right across the street from the Mediterranean Grill at 38 S. Park Avenue, just behind the Base Camp. Look for the Friday Night FWD signs.

EnVision Launch Gatherings

Something awesome is happening in Helena. A creative and unique faith community is emerging — and we are excited to invite you to come find out how to be a part of something greater than yourself.

Gathering to Envision Launch

How do we truly become something out of the ordinary that catches people's attention so they can encounter God? What is a launch team and do I want to be part of one? What role can I play as we transform Helena? What does a public launch or grand opening look like?

We will address these questions and more when we meet for these gatherings to better understand our vision, learn how to live our values, and celebrate our successes.

Something Greater

Maybe you want to do it for your friend who doesn't know God. Maybe it's your bother or sister that is fed up with church politics or just doesn't connect with traditional church. One thing is for sure, you can be part of the foundation of a movement in Helena that makes a difference.

Come join us for our next EnVision Launch Gathering. The spiritual landscape of Helena will never be the same and you have an opportunity to be a part of the change.

– Friday, June 25 @ 7pm | Powell Home
– Sunday, July 11 @ 5:30pm | Dunphy Bldg
– Sunday, August 1 @ 5:30pm | Dunphy Bldg
– Sunday, August 29 @ 5:30pm | Dunphy Bldg
– Sunday, September 26 @ 5:30pm | Dunphy Bldg

Encounter Huddles

Something awesome is happening in Helena. A creative and unique faith community is emerging — and we are excited to invite you to come find out how to be a part of something greater than yourself.

The Encounter Huddle

Encounter Huddles are an opportunity to build friendships, team unity, and have some fun while we discuss and plan details for upcoming Worship Gatherings, LifeGroups, Community Impact Efforts, and Connecting Events.

If you are already connected with Encounter, please make these huddle a priority on your schedule. This is a great opportunity to get involved in a deeper way and to help with the behind the scenes workings of Encounter.

Get Involved!

Do you enjoy meeting and greeting people? Do you like physical activities like setting things up and tearing things down? Are you a technical buff and enjoy audio and vision? Are you a musician? Do you love kids? Does serving the community ignite your passion? Click here to look over just some of Serving Opportunities available.

Times & Locations

Encounter Huddles will be held from periodically and meet throughout Helena at local businesses. Check out the events calendar or click here for our latest Huddles.

Serving Team Huddles

An Encounter, we believe that we are most like Jesus when we serve others by giving ourselves away. We can give of our time, our talents, our treasure, but most importantly we must give of ourselves. We want to serve others and meet the needs in our community the way Jesus did.

The Serving Team Huddle

This Serving Team Huddle is for anyone who is interested in using their gift or talent to serve others this Summer. We will discuss and plan details for upcoming Community Impact Efforts, Connecting Events, Sneak-Peek Worship Gatherings, and our Grand Opening on 10-10-10.

What Is Your Passion?

Do you enjoy meeting and greeting people? Do you like physical activities like setting things up and tearing things down? Are you a technical buff and enjoy audio and vision? Are you a musician? Do you love kids? Does serving the community ignite your passion? Click here to look over just some of Serving Opportunities available.

Times & Locations

Most Huddles will be held from 5:30pm to 7:00pm on various Sunday evenings and Huddle locations will be throughout Helena at local businesses.

– Friday, June 2 @ 6:30pm | Red Atlas
– Sunday, July 18 @ 5:30pm | Red Atlas
– Sunday, August 15 @ 5:30pm | Location TBA
– Sunday, September 12 @ 5:30pm | Location TBA

Home LifeGroups: Growing Together

We are no longer meeting together for LifeGroups, and are bringing the Encounter Church ministry to a close. Click here to read more.

An Encounter LifeGroup is a small group of six to eight people who gather regularly for spiritual growth and study, life encouragement, and support through the challenging times.

It's a safe place to ask tough questions and build lasting friendships in an environment with others just like you.

To truly connect and grow at Encounter, you must be a part of a home LifeGroup.

Join Us For the Next LifeGroup

Home LifeGroups meet every 1st and 3rd Sunday @ 5:30pm, with some exceptions. We'd love to have you come out, even if you are just checking it out. There will be video and board games for the kids — so kids are welcome, but child care only available if arranged beforehand.

WHAT: Encounter LifeGroups
WHEN: 1st and 3rd Sundays @ 5:30pm
WHERE: See Date Below

The Story: Following Jesus Together

You are invited to a fresh new approach to small groups. Our current emphasis is Following Jesus Together. Build deep authentic relationships while discovering yourself through the process of storytelling the scriptures. Get truly connected and grow in an Encounter LifeGroup.

To join or host a LifeGroup, click here and let us know. Check for the latest LifeGroup articles or the calendar for the next LifeGroup gathering.

Community Impact: Giving Ourselves Away

We are no longer organizing community impact efforts, and are bringing the Encounter Church ministry to a close. Click here to read more.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EFFORTS

We challenge you to join with us in a monthly gathered effort to change the face of Helena one life at a time. We challenge you to help us fund some of these Community Impact efforts by giving financially to the work Encounter is doing. And finally, we challenge you to sacrifice, to give freely of yourself, and to truly "Be The Change" in Helena.

Summer Fun & Concert in the Park | Tue Jul 12 @ 5pm

We're inviting the Helena community to a day of Summer Fun at Memorial Park. We're hosting Kids Inflatables and the Rock Climbing Wall. Plus we'll provide free cotton candy, popcorn, and snow cones. Finally there will be some awesome live music from local Helena bands. We would love to have you come down and be part of the SERVE Team for this event. Setup starts at 3pm. Contact us here to get involved.

Rock Wall at Alive@Five | Wed Jul 20 @ 5pm

Come climb the Encounter Rock Wall for FREE at Alive@Five. Better yet, be part of the volunteer SERVE team as we serve our community at Alive@Five. It's an awesome opportunity to serve our community and to be a church FOR Helena, not just IN Helena. Alive@Five this week will be at Womens Park near Fuller and Lawrence.

Recent Efforts:

Tootsie Pops on Vigilante Day | Friday, May 6 @ 12-1:30pm | Meet at CapitalFRET
Serving at the Spring Art Walk | Friday, May 20 @ 5:30-9pm | CapitalFRET
Rock Wall at Alive@Five | Friday, June 15 @ 5-9pm | Womens Park
Tootsie Pops at Alive@Five | Friday, June 8 @ 5-9pm | Fountain by ExplorationWorks
Rock Wall at Alive@Five | Friday, July 20 @ 5-9pm | Womens Park

Read More:

Giving Ourselves Away
What does it mean to engage culture?
Who does Encounter partner with?

Giving Ourselves Away

At Encounter, we believe that we are most like Jesus when we serve others by giving ourselves away. We can give of our time, our talents, our treasure, but most importantly we must give of ourselves. Giving that does not cost us in some way is not a true sacrifice.

When we stop seeing people as evangelistic targets, when we stop expecting something in return for helping them — it is only then that we can serve people and meet the needs in our community the way Jesus did.

We feel this is one way to be a burning bush — something that catches the attention of a city so they can not only hear the voice of God, but also encounter firsthand His crazy love through us.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ENGAGE CULTURE?

Building these types of relationships with individuals and our community is something we call "Engaging Our Culture" and is one of the vital relationships of our strategy to impact Helena. We know that once people come in contact with Jesus, they are forever changed. We are not just doing community service, we are serving our community. And that is a big difference. When we serve our community we are pursuing the transformation of a community.

Engaging Culture by building true relationships with others is a lifestyle, not an event. It is something we do in our homes, workplaces, classrooms, pubs, tattoo parlors, and more. We must first live out this lifestyle as individuals, but we also know that there is great value in gathered efforts as well. And that is what Encounter's Community Impact efforts are all about.

WHO DOES ENCOUNTER PARTNER WITH?

Our Community Impact relies partly upon an intentional and coordinated effort of service with others in order to accomplish something significant to change peoples' lives in a positive way. We want to see Encounter Church not as a place we only attend on the weekend, but something we ARE throughout the week.

We have come to understand that we are not "bringing Jesus to people," but that that Jesus is already alive and active in our culture and we want to join Him in what He is doing.

While Encounter does initiate some community impact efforts of our own, we are very interested in partnering with other organizations that are already successfully meeting needs in our community. And then we can join in and help make an even deeper impact.

Some of the community organizations we have already served or partnered with are the Helena YWCA, Youth Connections, Helena School System, Elkhorn Rehabilitation Center, St. Peter's Medical Center, Staples, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana. We are continually looking to strategically expand such partnerships.

For a listing of all articles about current and previous Community Impact Efforts, click here.

Encounter Discussions: An Open Dialogue

Our Encounter Discussions are about getting out into public spaces and creating a dialogue — a forum of open and honest exploration. They have become a periodic discussion as an intentional way to meet new friends, build relationship, and engage our community in a non-threatening and casual environment. More than that, you'll have some great conversation about life and faith.

Each is designed to stand on it's own so it's okay to miss one or to come in in the middle of a series. Check the calendar and blog for the next Encounter Discussion night. Even if you're just curious, we invite you drop by and bring a friend.

36 PARABLES DISCUSSION

This discussion series was based on a selection of 36 short films depicting Jesus' parables in real life and modern settings.

Considering that Jesus told these stories so that we could relate them to our everyday lives, we believe that Jesus reveals himself through such common experiences, and we can encounter Him in the most unlikely places.

The 36 Parables series of discussions was a challenge to step beyond safe and routine faith and discover the deep spiritual truths of these often ordinary stories. We met at the Staggering Ox on Tuesdays at 6:30pm. Each week's discussion consisted of a 5-10 minute video clip and then a discussion response.

CRAZY LOVE DISCUSSION

This discussion series taken from Francis Chan's Crazy Love tackled what Jesus really meant about being the church, both as individuals and as a community of faith.

It's crazy that the extent of faith has become simply going to church, singing some songs, and trying not to cuss. The truth is that we long to break free of the status quo.

Life is much more than a religious set of do's and don'ts. We explored this crazy love and found our lives will never be the same!

THEY LIKE JESUS BUT NOT THE CHURCH DISCUSSION

In this six-week discussion based on Dan Kimball's They Like Jesus But Not The Church, we explored why people who like Jesus, don't connect with traditional church.

While responding to six of the most common objections and misunderstandings emerging generations have about the church, we sought to create a dialogue to express the heart of Encounter Church with clarity, boldness, and compassion.

For a listing of all articles about current and previous Encounter Discussions, click here.

Fun & Game Nights: Building Relationships

We are no longer meeting together for fun & game nights, and are bringing the Encounter Church ministry to a close. Click here to read more.

Encounter is all about relationships. And with our relationships there are serious times and there are fun times — and mostly we try to make these overlap.

Building relationships and meeting new friends is important to us. We want to explore creative, innovative, and fresh ways of experiencing authentic relationships with others on our same journey of faith as we "do life together."

This is why we love to plan special days to just get together and have fun. We'll meet to play Killer Bunnies or some favorite board games.

Sometimes, we'll go bowling or mini-golf. We'll gather some musicians and just jam. Or maybe we'll organize a LAN party for the Xbox 360. You get the picture.

In the long run, we just want to be intentional about forming strong friendships so we can wrestle together with what it means to follow Jesus. So make sure you check the calendar and the blog to see what we're doing next. And be sure to invite a friend along.

Big Game Party for the Superbowl

Come hang out and enjoy the big game together. We‘ll all bring snacks like chips, mini-dogs, or whatever you can dream up ... like 5 different kinds of nachos. There will be board games and Wii for the kids, too. It’ll be awesome!

Sunday, Feb 6 @ 4pm | Powell Home

For a listing of all articles about current and previous Fun & Game Nights, click here.

Coffee with Eric & Andrea

We are no longer meeting together for worship gatherings, and are bringing the Encounter Church ministry to a close. Click here to read more.

Encounter has a Lead Pastor who values relationship and discussion. Eric and Andrea love to meet new people and help them know more about what it means to follow Jesus in a real, tangible way.

Do you have questions about life and faith issues? Do you want to know more about Encounter? Or do just want to talk? Then contact us to share some great coffee together at Starbucks downtown or your favorite coffee house in Helena.

Contact us now to set up this unique opportunity!

Location & Worship Times

We are no longer meeting together for worship gatherings, and are bringing the Encounter Church ministry to a close. Click here to read more.

A Church Without A Building

As a new community of faith, Encounter does not possess a building of it's own to gather for worship. This presents both opportunities and challenges.

It reminds us that church is not a building or an event, but a people and a lifestyle of faith. It reminds us that following Jesus takes place in every aspect of our lives.

We have been fortunate to meet at several unique and outstanding locations in Helena such as Exploration Works and the Dunphy Building downtown. And currently we are gathering Sunday mornings at the historic Pattern House.

At each location we've gathered, we've been intentional to create an atmosphere that is authentic, welcoming, and unique — so that people can encounter God in a real and tangible way.

Our Current Gathering Location

Encounter's current gathering location, the Pattern House, has been vacant for several years. Right now we have the opportunity to use the building until a new owner is found.

The Pattern House is located in the heart of Helena, just one block east of "Malfunction Junction" at the corner of Montana Avenue and Helena Avenue.

GATHERING LOCATION:
The Pattern House
1229 E. Lyndale Ave.
Helena, Montana

VIEW ENLARGED MAP

Current Gathering Times

We are making strategic plans to soon begin gathering for worship every Sunday, but will continue with our current schedule until further notice.

You can join us for our unique, edgy, and authentic worship environment every 2nd and 4th Sunday mornings at 11am. We also meet for LifeGroup every 1st and 3rd Sunday at 5:30pm.

WEEKLY EVENTS BY SUNDAY:
1st Sunday: LifeGroup @ 5:30pm
2nd Sunday: Worship Gathering @ 11am
3rd Sunday: LifeGroup @ 5:30pm
4th Sunday: Worship Gathering @ 11am
5th Sunday: Engage Your Community

Be sure to check the Events Calendar to see the many other events and activities happening this Summer.

Summer Countdown Events

Something awesome is happening in Helena.

A creative and unique faith community is emerging — inviting you to be a part of something greater than yourself. Our Community Impact and Friday Night FWDs are morphing into something greater too as we enter our Summer Countdown to the Encounter Grand Opening on 10-10-10. As part of our Summer Countdown, here is a full listing of this Summer's events so far, but know that we may be adding more!

COMMUNITY EVENTS

TEMPLE VEIL IN CONCERT:
LIVE IN DOWNTOWN HELENA
Saturday, July 3 @ 5:30pm

Enjoy a free concert in Downtown Helena with Temple Veil. Temple Veil is a duo that is touring North America, pursuing a broad audience with their original music. Their love for people and music drives their passion, purpose, and calling with a modern sound that is stripped down, acoustic, raw, and real.

SUMMER FUN & CONCERT AT MEMORIAL PARK
Wednesday, July 14 @ 5pm

All are invited to a Summer Fun Day & Concert at Memorial Park. There will be a Rock Climbing Wall for all ages, two Kids Jumpers, as well as free Cotton Candy, Popcorn, and Snow Cones. Plus, some awesome bands & live music. You don’t want to miss this free event for the community, for families, youth, and individuals.

CONNECTION BBQ
Saturday, July 17 @ 4pm

We’ll be warming up the barbeque and cooking up some great conversation! These Saturday BBQs are a way of building relationships and connecting people like you to unleash your passions and talents for something greater than yourself. Come on out and enjoy the food, games, and friendship.

SNEAK PEEK WORSHIP GATHERING
Sunday, July 25 @ 5:30pm

Join us in Downtown Helena for worship like you've never experienced before. We're offering an exclusive opportunity to get a sneak peek of how we worship in a unique and creative way. Come check out these edgy, yet spiritually-focused gatherings. And of course, invite your friends.

ROCK CLIMBING WALL AT ALIVE@FIVE
Wednesdays, August 18 @ 5pm

Come climb the Encounter Rock Climbing Wall for free this Summer at Alive@Five. For us, it’s just an opportunity to serve our awesome community and let you know who Encounter is and what we are all about. We'll see you at the 15th Street Lot just off of Last Chance near the Great Northern Town Center — on the corner of Front Street and 15th Street

SNEAK PEEK WORSHIP GATHERING
Sunday, August 22 @ 5:30pm

Join us in Downtown Helena for worship like you've never experienced before. We're offering an exclusive opportunity to get a sneak peek of how we worship in a unique and creative way. Come check out these edgy, yet spiritually-focused gatherings. And of course, invite your friends.

ROCK CLIMBING WALL AT ALIVE@FIVE
Wednesdays, September 8 @ 5pm

Come climb the Encounter Rock Climbing Wall for free this Summer at Alive@Five. For us, it’s just an opportunity to serve our awesome community and let you know who Encounter is and what we are all about.

SNEAK PEEK WORSHIP GATHERING
Sunday, September 19 @ 5:30pm

Join us in Downtown Helena for worship like you've never experienced before. We're offering an exclusive opportunity to get a sneak peek of how we worship in a unique and creative way. Come check out these edgy, yet spiritually-focused gatherings. And of course, invite your friends.

GRAND OPENING & WORSHIP GATHERING
Sunday, October 10 @ 5:30pm

This is the big day. Join us in Downtown Helena at the Dunphy Building for worship like you've never experienced before. Come see how we worship in a unique and creative way. Come celebrate our Grand Opening with us with some edgy music, and a spiritually-focused discussion. Of course, make sure you invite your friends.

Info & Dream Team Meetings: Dreaming Together

INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS

Like a burning bush, something has been set on fire deep within your soul — a passion that longs to be unleashed. Not a lukewarm and watered-down religion, but a calling to take hold of a passionate and life-giving relationship.

Encounter is not a safe, comfortable, and predictable church, but a new community of faith boldly following Jesus.

WHAT IS AN INFORMATIONAL MEETING?

We periodically host informational meetings and gatherings to share our vision and strategy to publicly launch Encounter Church to reach this generation and beyond. We identify who we plan on reaching as we give a taste of how Encounter will be different and how we're addressing a desperate need in Helena.

We will also explain the opportunities and expectations involved with joining the Encounter Launch Team and other ways you can help. Light food and drink refreshments will be available as you arrive. After the planned presentation, there will be a question and answer time.

Curious? Want to know more? Know someone who might resonate? Please join us for our next Informational Meeting. Come find why Encounter will be unlike any other church in Helena.

For previous and upcoming Encounter Info Meetings, click here

DREAM TEAM MEETINGS

If you are a part of the Encounter Church movement, want to be, or just want to find out more...a Dream Team Meeting is a great way to connect.

As momentum builds toward the launch of Encounter's public worship gathering a number of volunteer teams need to be developed around our vision to connect this generation and beyond with the life that Jesus brings.

WHAT IS A DREAM TEAM MEETING?

Essentially, a Dream Team meeting or gathering is an opportunity to dream through worship, learning, and interactive discussion together.

At a typical Dream Team Meeting, we will:

• Share a fun meal together
• Worship to some great songs
• Learn more about what we're doing to launch Encounter
• Discover how to make a difference in Helena together
• Discuss some essential approaches
• Live the dream that God has placed in our heart
• Have some games and videos available for the kids
  

If you are tired of a dried out "version of Christianity," if you share a desire to see people far from God encounter Jesus in a real life-giving way, if you want to explore a creative, innovative, and fresh way of experiencing authentic relationships with others on your same journey of faith, please join us for our next Dream Team Meeting.

For previous and upcoming Dream Team Meetings, click here.