The Founders
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| Les and Wendy Hatton come from Leeds, England. Les and Wendy have set up several churches in the UK, each one seeing amazing growth. In the winter of 2003, they felt compelled to move to the United States to share their enthusiasm for Jesus Christ. After touring the country, searching for where God wanted them to be Les and Wendy headed for Orlando, FL and began building Encounter Church. From humble beginnings, Encounter Church has grown in influence and stature, now Encounter is continually growing and becoming part of the community. |
The Bit About Les
Pastor Les was born in 1954 in London. After
enduring a traumatic childhood, Les joined the
British Army at the age of eighteen. Les spent
three years in the army and then he spent his
time living like any other young unsaved man. At
the age of 27, he became a Christian. He
realised that the emptiness within him was in the
shape of God and could only be filled by Him
alone.
Les was a youth pastor at a successful church
for two years and then became an associate
pastor and church elder for five years. Les than
ran a major drug rehabilitation program with his
wife, Wendy. Les then became a senior minister
planting three successful churches in Northern
England. During his first church plant, Les joined
one of the largest church planting movements,
Victory Churches International.
After his third church plant, and supporting many
other pastors start and develop their churches
Les felt the call of God to come to the U.S.A and
plant Encounter Church.
Les has written a number of teaching series
including his most recent, 'Freedom To
Celebrate.' Les and Wendy have three children,
Nathan, Naomi and Grace.
Pastor Les was born in 1954 in London. After
enduring a traumatic childhood, Les joined the
British Army at the age of eighteen. Les spent
three years in the army and then he spent his
time living like any other young unsaved man. At
the age of 27, he became a Christian. He
realised that the emptiness within him was in the
shape of God and could only be filled by Him
alone.
Les was a youth pastor at a successful church
for two years and then became an associate
pastor and church elder for five years. Les than
ran a major drug rehabilitation program with his
wife, Wendy. Les then became a senior minister
planting three successful churches in Northern
England. During his first church plant, Les joined
one of the largest church planting movements,
Victory Churches International.
After his third church plant, and supporting many
other pastors start and develop their churches
Les felt the call of God to come to the U.S.A and
plant Encounter Church.
Les has written a number of teaching series
including his most recent, 'Freedom To
Celebrate.' Les and Wendy have three children,
Nathan, Naomi and Grace.
The Bit About Wendy
Jenny was born in 1963 in Sheffield, England.
Wendy was raised in a methodist home but like
most teenagers, she rebelled. Wendy spent her
youth in night clubs, partying away her teenage
years. At eighteen Wendy moved to
Portsmouth, it was there she was found Jesus
Christ and was saved. A few years later she met
Pastor Les. Wendy pursued a career in nursing
before she began to work with Les in ministry.
Once she was in the ministry, Wendy not only
co ran the drug rehabilitation center, she set up
Christian schools and fought for Christian rights
in the English courts.
In 2003, she moved with her family to the U.S.A
where with Les, she became co senior pastor of
encounter church.
Wendy has written her first book called ‘Raising
A Genius In Your Pajamas’ which is full of
wisdom on how to raise successful, genius and
spirit led children.
Together with Pastor Les, she leads Encounter
Church and shares her wisdom both nationally
and internationally.
Wendy loves her husband and her children,
Nathan, Naomi and Grace
Jenny was born in 1963 in Sheffield, England.
Wendy was raised in a methodist home but like
most teenagers, she rebelled. Wendy spent her
youth in night clubs, partying away her teenage
years. At eighteen Wendy moved to
Portsmouth, it was there she was found Jesus
Christ and was saved. A few years later she met
Pastor Les. Wendy pursued a career in nursing
before she began to work with Les in ministry.
Once she was in the ministry, Wendy not only
co ran the drug rehabilitation center, she set up
Christian schools and fought for Christian rights
in the English courts.
In 2003, she moved with her family to the U.S.A
where with Les, she became co senior pastor of
encounter church.
Wendy has written her first book called ‘Raising
A Genius In Your Pajamas’ which is full of
wisdom on how to raise successful, genius and
spirit led children.
Together with Pastor Les, she leads Encounter
Church and shares her wisdom both nationally
and internationally.
Wendy loves her husband and her children,
Nathan, Naomi and Grace
