About Us
Encounter Charlevoix is a local non profit organization that facilitates the Encounter School of Ministry, Charlevoix Campus. Under the direction of Kerry Keyser, spiritual counsel of Fr. Peter Wigton, and the approval of Bishop Jeffery Walsh, we aim to promote and facilitate the Encounter School of Ministry in our local community. In support of our local priests, pastors, and ministers within our greater Northern Michigan Christian community, we strive to inspire those in our spheres of influence to grow in their intimacy with God, live from their identity as children of God, and minister in the power of the Holy Spirit.
OUR VISION
To expand the Kingdom of God in our community by embracing our identities as sons and daughters of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and offering non- sacramental prayer, which comes from a place of love and compassion for those in need.
WHAT WE DO
Catholics and Christians of various denominations, united in the Holy Spirit and our love for Jesus, gather together weekly to grow in our identity as children of God and the authority Jesus has given us to pray and see God work miracles today in the lives of those we love.
OUR COMMUNITY
Our community is greater than geography. While we operate out of Charlevoix and connect with Christian communities across Northern Michigan, our individual spheres of influence connect us to friends, family, and loved ones around the country.
Meet Our Charlevoix Team
Board of Directors
Campus Director
Kerry Keyser
Kerry is passionate about leading others into the heart of Jesus to experience the Father’s love for them through her teaching, her worship during adoration and her original piano compositions for prayer. Kerry is a 2022 Encounter School of Ministry graduate. She holds an MA in Clinical Psychology, certification in Spiritual Direction, is a religion/Living Our Faith Teacher, a composer of music for prayer, and beloved wife.
Board Member
John Keyser
John writes about community leaders for the Charlevoix County News and is active with Charlevoix County Leadership. He previously formed Common Sense Leadership, a leadership consulting and coaching practice helping senior leaders and their teams in the corporate, non-profit, and religious worlds. He is a 2025 graduate of the Encounter School of Ministry, Charlevoix Campus and a huge believer that the school prepares us to help people in our community improve their lives going forward.
Instructor
Jeff Crane
Jeff is a convert to the Catholic Church, and a 2022 Encounter School of Ministry graduate. Jeff was an ordained Lutheran minister and has served in many different ministerial settings including hospital/hospice chaplaincy, Appalachian outreach coordinator, lay pastoral assignments, retreat ministry, and other leadership functions. He has a profound regard for the mystical grounding of the Church and the flow of grace which moves through the Spirit making God present moment to moment and age to age. “Christ is making all things new. Let us journey together.”
Instructors
Kerry Keyser
Instructor
ESM Class of 2022
Fr. Peter Wigton
Instructor
ESM Class of 2021
Jeff Crane
Instructor
ESM Class of 2022
Kammie Richardson
Instructor
