Meet your hosts
The Secret Place
A bishop who opens the Word, and a psychologist who helps you live it — husband and wife, serving together.
About the ministry
About The Secret Place
The Secret Place is a podcast and digital sanctuary where theology and psychology intertwine. Each episode invites listeners to dive deep into faith and the mind, blending sound biblical teaching with practical insights from Christian psychology. New conversations are released regularly, and we broadcast live every Wednesday at 7 PM CST on YouTube and Facebook.
The Secret Place is for believers who hunger for more than surface-level faith — people navigating emotional wounds, renewed thinking, relationships, purpose, and spiritual growth. Whether you are a lifelong churchgoer or someone exploring faith for the first time, you will find teaching, encouragement, and honest conversation here.
The Secret Place is built by Bishop Gary Oliver, ThD and Dr. Noemi X. Oliver, a husband-and-wife team serving together at Encounter Church Fort Worth. Bishop Gary brings five decades of pastoral ministry and global worship leadership, while Dr. Noemi brings Christian counseling, coaching, and a heart for emotional wellness. Together they create a space where the whole person — spirit, mind, and heart — can be transformed.
Theology
Bishop Gary Oliver, ThD
Bishop & Founding Senior Pastor
Bishop Gary Oliver, ThD. is the founding pastor of Encounter Church in Fort Worth, Texas, and a voice the body of Christ has followed for more than five decades. A world-known gospel recording artist and renowned worship leader, he helped pioneer the modern praise and worship movement — and gave the church "Celebrate Jesus, Celebrate," an anthem that crossed oceans and is still sung in sanctuaries around the world.
It started at four years old, with a first solo. From there came choirs, worship teams, and platforms from Texas to New York to California — and through the 1990s, the nations. He toured the globe and ministered to millions by international television with Trinity Broadcasting Network. On his final concert tour, he sang before more than 1.3 million people and saw 50,000 come to Jesus. Before founding Encounter Church in 2000, he served as worship leader at New Birth in Atlanta, leading Sunday congregations of more than 30,000.
Today he pastors Encounter Church alongside his wife, Dr. Noemi X. Oliver, and continues to sing, write, speak, and pour into his community through several non-profit efforts. His ministry carries the same three things it always has: passionate worship, sound biblical teaching, and an unshakable heart of love for God and His people.
Credentials
“His ministry carries the same three things it always has: passionate worship, sound biblical teaching, and an unshakable heart of love for God and His people.”
Psychology
Dr. Noemi X. Oliver, Ph.D.
Co-Pastor · Psychologist · Life Coach · Author
Dr. Noemi X. Oliver is a pastor, psychologist, author, podcaster and media visionary whose life's work brings together faith and the science of the mind. She integrates biblical wisdom with practical psychological strategies to help people heal from emotional wounds, renew their thinking and step boldly into their God-given purpose.
She serves as co-pastor of Encounter Church Fort Worth alongside her husband, Bishop Gary Oliver, ThD. Together they host The Secret Place podcast, where she is also executive director. She leads the P31 Women Bible study and the signature P31 Women on Purpose program. She also serves as executive director of MANNA – Joseph Storehouse, the church's food and clothing ministry to families in need.
Through her coaching practice she offers individual and group coaching, inner healing and emotional wellness coaching, and faith-driven business and leadership coaching. She is the founder of NX Solutions Consulting and leads Fabulous, Finance & Faith, helping women build financial confidence rooted in biblical stewardship.
Credentials
Books
- •Mirror, Mirror Off the Wall (also in Spanish as Espejito, Espejito En La Pared)
- •I'm Not Just a Verse — I'm a P31 Kind of Woman
- •Getting Egypt Out of You
- •Guarding What God Entrusted to You
- •From Pain to Promise
- •The Financially Confident Woman
- •Command Your Legacy
- •Wealth Strategy Workbook
Honors & Leadership
- President, Christian Women in Media Association
- 2024 Woman of Distinction Award — Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce
- Marquis Who's Who Honored Listee (2024)
- Top Female Advisor (2017)
- American Red Cross Volunteer of the Year (2007)
Bishop Mark J. Chironna describes her as "uniquely prepared, spiritually, psychologically, coach-wise, and pastorally" to walk with women through the journey of becoming who God called them to be.
“Your worth is not measured by the world's standards but by the unshakable truth of God's love. Walk boldly in His purpose, for you are fearfully and wonderfully made.”
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
PSALM 91:1