The journey

It all started when…

A number of people at Neighborhood Church of Chico began hearing the Lord speak of a ministry school. Perhaps the first mention came in 1999/2000 when in a class on prayer, the leader stated someday we would have a school where people would come to be trained and equipped in the Holy Spirit and then sent into media, the arts and entertainment. Within the next few years, a couple others would also confirm that God was wanting a ministry/training school of some kind.

The journey has been a process. Many have dreamt of what this school could be, how it could look, and the impact it could have. Attempts were made to start such a school, but whether because of timing or foundations still being laid, it did not come to fruition.

The conversation began again in 2013/2014 as Michael and Al separately began to pursue God for this dream of a ministry school, a dream for which God had given each of them a vision. It was only after separate conversations with their pastor, Andrew Burchett, that they began to come together to launch what is now Empowered Ministry School (EMS).

In January 2017, EMS was launched and the fruit has been great. Students lives have been changed, resulting in their vision of life in Christ expanded and the fires of their faith stoked.

Since January 2017, love has taken root in lives in a new and deeper way. Students have walked with God–inspired desire to bring Him into the workplace, schools, grocery stores, their homes and families. They have grown in continually living in the presence of God, learned and increased in sharing their testimonies, sharing the gospel, and walking in their gifts and passions. The dead have been raised (literally). Many have been healed—students, friends and family, strangers, in EMS and at church— in stores and on the streets.

There is a supernatural love revolution underway!