Ken Thornberg

Ken's relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ officially began at the age of fifteen when he accepted the King of Kings and Lord of Lords into his heart during a series of evangelistic meetings in Longmont, Colorado in the Western United States.

He graduated from Seattle Pacific College in 1971 with a BA degree in Economics and Business Administration and began his post-college career in accounting and credit management in Seattle. From there he worked for a political party in Spokane, Washington and later pursued sales in the same region. Afterward, Ken spent 15 years serving as Executive Director of the Better Business Bureau of Treasure Valley in Boise, Idaho. During that time, he directed the organization from a point of bankruptcy to the status of Better Business Bureau of the Year, along with many additional achievement awards.  Ken's avocation was politics for 25 years until the Lord called him to full-time ministry in October of 1991.

As a child, Ken was raised in a "religious" background that exposed him to several denominations, until God called him to a deliverance ministry.  At the age of 21, he began praying deliverance, as the Lord brought the people to him. Except for a 10-year period, he has continued to pray balanced deliverance for those who suffer from oppression caused by the presence of demonic forces in their lives.  Ken desires to live a life totally surrendered and consecrated to Christ Jesus (Gal. 2:20).  He also strives to walk in obedience, and to crucify the flesh, in order to the receive fullness of abundant life. Ken’s heart is full of compassion for people, especially for those who have been "left for dead" by the Church. He also cares deeply for America and is concerned about the nation’s slide into collectivism, secular humanism, and moral depravity.  He longs to see an ethical and dynamic business community that honors the Lord in all aspects of a free market system.

Because of his varied background, Ken is equipped to teach, train, multiply and send out those who can, in turn, serve the Lord Jesus Christ as they apply biblical concepts and turn the world inside out with God's love and power.

Sylvia Thornberg

Sylvia was brought to Christ as a child through the faith of her father, who became a fervent believer after a personal encounter with Jesus that transformed his life.  She was confirmed in the Lutheran Church at the age of 12, but did not come to know the Lord Jesus Christ personally.

After a series of hurtful and disappointing events that negatively impacted the close relationship with her father, Sylvia turned her back on the religious teaching of her childhood, rebelled and followed "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," according to the self-centered ways of the world. She pursued achievement and success in business by pursuing a career in business management and sales. Considered to be “highly successful" by the world's standards, she did not find life, liberty or the happiness she had longed for by accumulating wealth and achievement awards.  And after separating from several unfulfilling relationships, she felt disappointed, hurt and disillusioned.

Sylvia finally committed her life totally to the Lord on America’s Independence Day, July 4, 1988. She spent many years studying the Word of God and gradually began ministering to His people with the gifts of prophetic teaching, intercession, healing and giving financially to support ministers of the Gospel. While her background in business management and sales developed many God-given skills, Sylvia’s life is now dedicated to knowing and reflecting the Father’s loving heart. Her own heart’s desire is to walk by faith and obedience to Him and to speak forth the messages given to her by the Holy Spirit with anointed clarity and spiritual authority.

In 1994 by divine appointment, she met Ken Thornberg, and the Lord surprised them both by proposing marriage.  The Spirit of the Lord indicated that the union of their marriage would serve to multiply their gifts in a powerful ministry that would reach many nations.  In May 1995 they were married, and Sylvia resigned her business position at year’s end, in order to join Ken in full-time ministry. From that time they have ministered shoulder-to-shoulder in powerful team ministry, as they travel wherever the Lord directs.  Their teaching anointing is establishing teams that multiply the availability of deliverance and healing for those who are captive and oppressed by demonic forces. The power and grace of God sets His people free and enables them to be restored through anointed prayer, prophesy, inspired preaching, teaching and counseling.

Why Does Freedom Encounters Have This Ministry?

Freedom Encounters (FE) is dedicated to the restoration of spirit, soul and body for every believer. We are also equipping the saints of God and establishing teams that are trained, equipped and prepared as partners with FE to assist others in this ministry throughout America and other nations of the world.