Our story
God Encounters Ministries was founded in Missouri in 1993 and was originally called Ministry to the Nations. This season was filled with zeal, prayer and activating many into the prophetic. It was a natural — supernatural overflow of the relationship that James (Jim) and Michal Ann Goll had with Jesus and with each other.
After moving to the Nashville, TN area in 1997, the ministry was renamed Encounters Network — a ministry to the nations. Teaching and training, networking leaders, and hosting regional and national conferences made up a large part of this second phase of growth and outreach. Several pivotal ministries were birthed during this time which became expressions of Encounters Network.
On September 15, 2008, the season changed yet again as Michal Ann graduated to heaven after a lengthy battle with cancer. She left a huge hole and yet the legacy of her life has had an impact on thousands. Her love for serving the poor of the earth motivated her to found a unique expression of love for God called Compassion Acts. She will always be loved, honored and deeply missed by many.
Empowering Others
On December 12, 2015, the Lord spoke to James to choose others to empower and release into spheres of his ministry. As a result of his obedience to this word, the ministry entered a strategic season of fathering, equipping and empowering others to carry many of the spheres that James and Michal Ann had birthed as expressions of Encounters Network.
The Women on the Frontlines Conferences in 1997 under James Goll and his late wife Michal Ann Goll. They desired to gather trail-blazers of the faith and impart the life and power of Christ into an emerging generation of women who would change the world. Later on, James Goll invited Patricia King to oversee the vision and officially appointed Patricia as Director, with James Goll remaining as the Founder and Advisor. In 2019, Patricia King commissioned Wendy Peter as the new Director for Women on the Frontlines Global. This movement calls women to engage in radical commitment, character, and service in the Kingdom of God.
Compassion Acts was founded in 2004 by Michal Ann Goll, as a humanitarian aid organization. She traveled the globe demonstrating the power of Jesus’ love positively impacting others through service. Upon Michal Ann’s departure, her ministry of Compassion Acts – where love takes action – is carried on today in the hearts of many in various expressions, just as she desired.
In this same season, James had birthed Prayer Storm. For a season that ministry was stewarded by Jon and Jolene Hamill of Lamplighter Ministries. Eventually this prayer ministry was returned back into GEM’s oversight and renamed Global Prayer Storm: Where Every Prayer Counts and Every Sacrifice Matters.
It is exciting to see the visions of these ministries not only continue, but find fresh life and new direction for the days to come.
Partnering Together
Once I was given a dream where I was searching for G.E.M.’s. These precious jewels were to be presented to the King of Kings and added to the Lord’s crown. We cannot fulfill this vision alone. I believe that thousands of believers just like you will join us by finding G.E.M.’s for the Lord’s crown.
One way you can help is to become a monthly financial partner or give a one-time donation. Together we can see Jesus Christ “receive the rewards of His suffering.” We would be honored to have you partner with us in this exciting and yet humbling journey where Jesus Christ is crowned Lord of All!
