Who Are Stephen Ministers?

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

  • Ordinary people carefully selected with gifts for caregiving

  • Equipped with 50 hours of training 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 about an hour each week, for as long as there is a need.

  • Trained to listen patiently, without judging, to assist their care receivers to process feelings.

  • Participate in regular support and supervision twice a month under the guidance of trained Stephen Leaders for purposes of ongoing evaluation and continuing education.

  • Stephen Ministers are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship.

 

Stephen Ministers help fulfill our Vision statement of “Love God, Love People.” Our Vertical relationship with God is best fulfilled by loving people in a horizontal relationship.

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2, NRSV)

As a church we desire to equip the church for this wonderful work of ministry. (Eph 4:12)

STEPHEN MINISTERS CARE

  • Stephen Ministry was founded in 1975 and has over 13,000 congregations enrolled. 

  • Over 60,000 people have been trained as Stephen Ministers with 50 hours of training and monthly supervision meetings to grow in their ministry of care. 

  • Stephen Ministers provide confidential Christ-care to help you as you deal with transitions and difficult issues in life.  These transitions and issues might include: going through a divorce, grief, medical issues, monetary problems, job loss, relocating to a new area and leaving friends/family behind, or struggling with what to do next in life.  

  • A Stephen Minister meets with you at your discretion to offer emotional and spiritual help for as long as you need it.