Amy Howard is the founder and director of Encounter Culture Mission Collaborative, a teaching, equipping and retreat-based ministry formed in order to see people set free by the power of the Holy Spirit and released to walk in the fullness of their identity and mission as people created in the image of God.  She and her husband spent their first two decades of ministry church planting and church revitalizing in New England, before launching ECMC.  She is currently working on her doctorate through Trinity Anglican Seminary, studying the effects of verbal, personal confession on the “immanent frame.” What Amy loves most about Encounter Life is witnessing people maintain their freedom and venture further along in their journey of being loved by God and in response loving God with their whole mind, body, soul, and strength.

Wally has been coaching and equipping missional leaders through intentional relational discipleship over the last 34 years and has served as a full-time missionary in the US & overseas for the last 26 years. Wally resides in New England with his wife Jane, and has two children, Hayley, and Brandon. In addition to being ECMC's Relationships Developer, he has also been coaching Encounter Life cohorts since their inception. Wally's favorite part of Encounter Life is witnessing the Holy Spirit's transformational work in the lives of the men and women who participate. Wally loves family time, the ocean, motorcycle riding, coffee with friends, and leading mission teams to different countries in the world.

Ashleigh is a photographer who lives in rural Mississippi.  At the age of three, the Lord began drawing her to Himself.  After encountering the transforming power of the Spirit, an ever increasing desire emerged to come alongside others to foster growing up in love & freedom, learning to listen with curiosity, and cultivating safe community in which to practice walking further up and further in towards the One who knows us by name.  Ashleigh does not garden, but enjoys reading fiction, baking sourdough, attending art openings, and walking in the woods with her three children and her husband.  She loves Encounter Life because it carves out margin to be still with God and to practice receiving His love.  

Kelly Tufano is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over a decade of experience in leading small groups and working within her private counseling practice. She is a wife and mother to three beautiful children. Kelly is passionate about combining the truth found in the Word of God with what she has learned clinically and endeavors to create a space where those bound can break free. Hear what she has to say about Encounter Life... 

"Encounter Life provided a safe space to grow even deeper with the Lord. I was able to bring all of me before all of Him and learn to be loved well. From there, I found I was able to love others better and walk out His calling on my life to greater measures. It's an honor to now help facilitate this with others. I love seeing how the Lord is at work and how He meets each individual need in powerful and life changing ways.”

Andrea O’Connell, a native of Southeastern, MA, brings over a decade of experience in supporting individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders. With a unique blend of clinical and operational expertise, she embarked on her journey with Encounter Culture after attending her first Encounter Weekend in April 2022. Andrea is enthusiastically dedicated to learning, prayer, and serving others, driven by a profound desire to witness liberation in all people. She is a wife and mom of two, delighting in the warmth of summer, discovering new hiking trails with her family, and experimenting with fun recipes. What she loves most about Encounter Life is that it creates an atmosphere where people are free to be seen and known by God and others in a community that fosters growth and healing.

David Silva is a man after God‘s own heart. He is the owner of Rocky Silva’s American Karate, teaching martial arts to youth and adults since 1990. He loves making a difference in the world one student at a time teaching them martial arts and more importantly, Christian principles. He has been married to my wonderful wife, Loyda, since 2019. They share a joyful, peaceful marriage and have blended families with six children and three grandchildren. He is passionate about serving through ministry, currently in hospitality at His Providence Church, and leading a small group, "Greenhouse," for Bible study and fellowship. He has also served with Marked Men for Christ since 2018, leading groups and guiding men through healing. David and his wife serve as prayer ministers at Encounter weekends. His favorite part of Encounter Life is that it’s a safe place to share with others while growing personally through the different spiritual tools that are taught.