School of the Prophets

Welcome to The School of the Prophets
overseen by GCU Senior Chaplain Shelly Tjapkes

Shelly is a Licensed Professional Counselor providing therapy to individuals, adolescence, children, and families. Her work experience includes working with individuals who have been sexually, physically, and emotionally abused. She also works with those struggling with anxiety and depression.

Shelly has additional training in Trauma Therapy, including the use of EMDR. She approaches therapy in a unique way by using sensorimotor psychotherapy, bringing healing to the whole body.

Shelly has a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Theology with the emphasis in Christian Counseling from Vision University. She is an Authorized Instructor for  Christian International. She has spoken at national conferences concerning Supporting Parents with a Sexually Abused Child.

Shelly has two grown children and nine grandchildren, who she loves spending time with whenever possible. For fun and relaxation, she enjoys the beach, scuba diving, and playing with her English Springer Spaniel (Harriet).

The School of the Prophets is coaching that will immerse you in prophetic training and development. It will help you activate your voice. You’ll dive into learning, demonstrating and activating your prophetic call, and gifting under the supervision of Shelly Tjapkes, an Authorized Instructor of Christian International.

The School of the Prophets’ core mission is to equip individuals in the practice of prophetic ministry. A crucial aspect of this training involves learning how to handle prophetic words with care and precision. Many have been disillusioned by prophecy due to misunderstandings or misapplications of divine messages. Through extensive experience in counseling and ministering, Christian International has identified several essential principles to guide you in realizing the full potential of the prophecies spoken over your life.

 

KEEPING PERSONAL PROPHECY IN PERSPECTIVE

Personal prophecy should never replace the Bible in our lives; rather, it should complement and affirm the Scriptures. Prophetic messages are always subordinate to God’s written Word. This means that any prophecy you receive will not contradict the established principles of the Bible.

Prophecy is one of many ways God communicates with us but is not the sole method. Some individuals place excessive emphasis on personal prophecy, seeking guidance for every aspect of their lives. Conversely, others may view personal prophecy solely as confirmation of their own insights and dismiss its potential to reveal new aspects of God’s will. Scripture encourages us to “covet to prophesy” and to “despise not prophesying” (1 Corinthians 12:39; 14:1,39; 1 Thessalonians 5:20).

While personal prophecy often confirms what God has already spoken to us, it can also provide new insights, particularly for those who struggle to hear God’s voice clearly. Biblical examples from both the Old and New Testaments illustrate that God uses prophecy to reveal new dimensions of His plans. For instance, the Apostle Paul received a calling through prophecy that was not previously disclosed to him.

 

UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF PERSONAL PROPHECY

1. Prophecy is Conditional

Personal prophecy often comes with conditions, even if these conditions are not explicitly mentioned. For example, Moses received prophecies about his role as Israel’s deliverer but faced severe consequences for failing to obey God fully. His disobedience led to not entering the Promised Land. This underscores the importance of responding appropriately to prophetic messages, aligning our actions with God’s will to see the fulfillment of His promises.

2. Prophecy is Partial

Prophecies reveal parts of God’s plan rather than the whole picture. Understanding that prophecies are partial helps avoid disappointment when they don’t address every detail of our lives or when we don’t receive confirmation about every aspect of our concerns. Just because a prophecy doesn’t cover certain areas doesn’t mean God is indifferent or endorsing those areas unconditionally.

3. Prophecy is Progressive

Prophecy unfolds over time and may not align with our expected timelines. It can be likened to a book with various chapters and pages, where each prophecy reveals different parts of the story. We may receive a word about one chapter while we’re still working through an earlier one. Trust that as you continue your journey with God, the pieces will come together. While some prophecies may take years to manifest, remember that God’s timing is always perfect.

RESPONDING TO PERSONAL PROPHECY

1. Cultivate the Right Attitude

A prophetic word is as significant as the written Word of God and should be approached with faith. Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes that faith is essential to pleasing God. Just as the Israelites failed to benefit from the Word due to a lack of faith (Hebrews 4), we must believe in the fulfillment of our prophecies even before they materialize.

2. Practice Obedience

To see prophecy fulfilled, we must be willing to act on what God desires. James 1:22 reminds us to be “doers of the Word, and not hearers only.” Our actions should align with our beliefs, demonstrating readiness to cooperate with God. For example, Noah’s obedience in building the ark before the rain showcased faith and preparedness for what was to come.

3. Exercise Patience

Hebrews 6:12-15 teaches that patience, alongside faith, is crucial in receiving God’s promises. Impatience can lead to premature results, while patience aligns us with God’s perfect timing. Keeping a patient attitude will help us inherit the promises associated with our prophecies.

4. Embrace Humility and Kindness

Sometimes, prophecies may not be what we expect or want to hear. It’s vital to approach such messages with humility and a willingness to receive correction. Our attitude should reflect maturity and openness to God’s adjustments in our lives.

By applying these principles, recognizing that prophecy is conditional, partial, and progressive, you can better understand and integrate personal prophecy into your life. This approach will help you respond to the Lord’s words with faith, obedience, patience, and humility, paving the way for the fulfillment of His promises.

Upcoming Course Dates & Times

May 16 – 17 2025
9:30am – 3:30pm each day
Seminar Location: 1830 White Lake Dr., Whitehall MI 49461

Local Hotel & Restaurant List – Whitehall, MI

THIS IS A PRE-REQUISITE TO THE OTHER MINISTERING SPIRITUAL GIFT MODULES

Hear Gods Voice (M1) – In Person 

Hear God’s Voice (Formerly called Ministering Spiritual Gifts) explains how spiritual gifts we re lost to the church and how revelation of the written Word has established these gifts once again. In this course, a strong emphasis in placed on training leaders to activate the Saints in the gifts of the Holy Spirit with which they had been endowed (1 Cor. 12 & 14). Teaching is also provided on the gifts with an emphasis on revelation gifts. A combination of lecture and experimental learning is employed, teaching, guiding, and instructing the students. By the end of this core students should gain an understanding of why and how God speaks to them.

Price: $125.00

PRE-REQUISITE: M1 – Hear God’s Voice

Share Gods Voice (M2) – In Person 

Formally called Ministering, Spiritual Gifts, Breakthrough. Students are trained and activated to flow in the revelation gifts with an emphasis on prophecy. The course provides a deeper understanding of prophetic principles. Students will learn how to overcome the power of fear that would hinder them from hearing the voice of God and sharing what they hear with the Body of Christ. Students will also learn to deliver effective prophetic ministry to bless the receiver by understanding, prophetic protocols and identifying possible personnel, character flaws in route problem. Teaching and practical demonstration parentheses (activation) are both part of the course.

Price: $125.00

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