What Is Stephen Ministry?
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2, NRSV).
Stephen Ministry is the one-to-one lay (trained non-clergy) caring ministry that takes place in congregations.
Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting.
Stephen Ministers are laypeople trained in the congregation by their Stephen Leaders to provide one-to-one Christ-centered care to hurting people. These are people with a compassionate heart who’ve been equipped with the skills to listen, encourage, and offer support when someone is in need.
Stephen Ministry is appropriate for people experiencing
- grief
- divorce
- cancer
- hospitalization
- physical rehabilitation
- long-term care
- chronic illness
- terminal illness
- job loss
- loss of a home
- military deployment
- the onset of a disability
- loneliness
- spiritual crisis
- or other life struggles
If you or someone you know could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister, please contact one of our Stephen Leaders: Barb Perry, Mari Wise or Tammy Youmans through the church office at 616-754-8532.