What is Stephen Ministry?

Our congregation's Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives.

A Stephen Minister Is ...

• A child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting

• A congregation member with gifts for caregiving, who was carefully selected to serve in this role

• A lay person who has received 50 hours of traing in providing emotional and spiritual care

• A caring, Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages

• Someone who will "be there" for his or her care receiver, meeting faithfully for about an hour each week, for as long as there's a need

"Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Galatians 6:2

Stephen Ministers Care for People Facing Tough Times

We all experience challenges in life - times when we could benefit from the support of a caring Christian friend.  Stephen Ministers are ready to provide the emotional and spiritual care we need when faced with a crisis or difficulty, such as -

• Loss of a loved one

• Hospitalization

• Divorce or separation

• Loneliness or discouragement

• Spiritual crises

• Unemployment or a job crisis

• A terminal illness

• Incarceration

• Aging

• Birth, adoption, miscarriage, or infertility

• A chronic illness

• Relocation

• Recovery after an accident or disaster

• And many more

Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry:  The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each caring relationship remains private.

"Therefore encourage one another and build up each other."

1 Thessalonians 5:11