YOUTH EVENT | CHALLENGE COURSE I TESTIMONIES I BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD & OTHER YOUTH GROUPS
AUGUST 22, 2026
This event is intentionally designed with meaningful moments of ministry, including testimonies, Gospel-centered messages, and prayer. Activities encourage youth to connect beyond their usual circles and build relationships with other believers. Our hope is that every student leaves encouraged through a shared experience of God and community. For those who may not yet believe, we pray they encounter the love of Jesus in a real and personal way through friends, speakers, and volunteers.
The Story of “The Farm”
Tom and Sue Mc Gowan purchased The Farm 6 years ago-Tom was reluctant to do so, Sue was much more willing. Prior to purchasing the farm, Tom encountered God as he was standing in a field that overlooked the farm. God prompted him to purchase the farm, but Tom rejected God twice.
The third time he surrendered to God’s voice. Tom agreed to buy the farm, under one condition: that the farm would be Gods’ and he (Tom) would be the project manager.
A few years later, Tom saw a film on YouTube about a big revival near his hometown of Rochester, NY in a farm field. Months later Tom + Sue visited the original tent site of the revival. They prayed "God would you do what you did on this piece of land, but do it again on our farm!" Within the first year or so of owning the farm, Ben (Tom and Sue’s youngest son) said he wanted to host a youth event on the farm. For the next few years, they hosted two mud runs but nothing really materialized, until November of 2022 after a disappointing turn out to a mud runs.
Tom said “We need to stop trying to make money off these runs and just host one to gather youth to hear the Gospel.” Mark from 12th Rock Sports and Tom made one phone call each to youth pastors they both knew and presented there ideas to them. in a ½ hour the conception of Encounter in 2023 was birthed.
