Our congregation's Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide convidential, 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 training in providing emotional and spiritual care
• A caring, Christian firend who listens, care, prays, supports, and encouraged
• Someone who will "be there" for his or her care receiver, meeting faithfully for about on hour each week, for as long as there's a need

Stephen Ministry is.....

a program of our congregation that equips lay persons to provide distinctively christian one-to-one care to those who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances, both in our congregation and community.

Stephen Ministers are committed Christian people who . . .

express God's care through their lives to others;
receive 50 hours of initial training in important caring ministry skills and concepts;
are commissioned as Stephen Ministers after completing their initial training;
visit another person regularly and dependably and offer Christian support and care;
participate in regular support and supervision under the guidance of trained Stephen Leaders;
are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship;
serve for at least two years;
receive continuing education and skill building throughout their years of service.

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion." Colossians 3:12


There are times when each of us needs the care of another person, a Christian friend, a Stephen Minister! These needs include but arc not limited to . . .

the hospitalized
the aging and elderly
the terminally ill and their families
those with disabilities and their families
people who move into or out of our community
those needing the support of a Christian friend
those grieving a death or serious loss
those facing life transitions
the homebound and institutionalized
the separated or divorced
prisoners, ex-offenders and their families
households experiencing birth or adoption
those with a job crisis
those in spiritual crisis

Stephen Ministry is confidential ministry: those receiving care can be sure that their identity and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain private.

Our Stephen Ministers work together with our pastors) to reach more people with Christian care than pastors can reach by themselves.

People who receive care from a Stephen Minister
receive quality Christian care,
deepen their relationship with their Lord,
grow in their desire to participate in Christian community,
come to value ministry from another lay person while continuing contact with the pastor.

Stephen Ministry enhances our outreach by . . .

creating a "caring ministry explosion" where many instead of a few are offering God's love and care in intentional, systematic ways.

enabling our entire congregation to grow as a warm, loving, nurturing community where people are cherished and cared for in Jesus Christ.

identifying our congregation to our community as a place where people's needs are taken seriously.

"Encourage one another and build one another up."
I Thessalonians 5:11

About the Leaders of Our Congregation's Stephen Ministry . . .
Stephen Leaders are pastors, church staff, and/or lay persons who have completed a seven-day Stephen Series Leader's Training Course and are commissioned to lead the Stephen Ministry of our congregation.

Our congregation's Stephen Leaders can . . .
help you or someone you know receive care from a Stephen Minister;
tell you how to become a Stephen Minister;
tell you about Stephen Ministry training and our next training class;
answer other questions about our congregation's Stephen Ministry program.

How You Can Support Our Congregation's Stephen Ministry
Pray for our Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers as they provide Christian care to others.
Pray for all who are receiving confidential care through the Stephen Ministry of our congregation.
Tell Stephen Leaders about those who might benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister-be--sure to get that persons permission first!
Tell others in our community about the availability of our congregation's Stephen Ministry and the care it can provide .
Receive Stephen Ministry when you are in need of supportive Christian care.
Consider serving as a Stephen Minister.
Support Stephen Ministry with your financial gifts.