“Bear one another's burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6: 2
What is Stephen Ministry?
In Stephen Ministry congregations, lay caregivers (called Stephen Ministers) provide one-to-one Christian care to those in need of care. These may include people who are bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, facing a crisis, or just experiencing difficult times.
Stephen Ministry helps pastors and congregations provide quality caring ministry for as long as people need it.
Who may need a Stephen Minister?
People who are dealing with:
- Family frustrations and challenges
- Loneliness
- Illness
- Family members who are ill
- Separation or divorce
- Loss of a loved one
- Being home-bound
- A new baby
- Death and dying
- Low self-esteem or feeling down
- Loss of a job
- Financial setbacks
- Loss of faith or hope
- Aging
- Changes in their lives
- And other concerns
Consider Stephen Ministry even if it's a little problem. A problem isn't little if it's yours.
A Stephen Minister is:
- a trained lay volunteer
- a good listener
- trained in confidentiality
- supervised for quality care
- ready to offer God's love through a Christian caring relationship on a one-to-one basis.
- A Stephen Minister is someone who will encourage and pray with someone in need of care.
- A Stephen Minister walks beside a hurting person.
- Stephen Ministers are there to care!
Interested in learning more about receiving the care of a Stephen Minister?
If you would like to receive the support of a Stephen Minister or if you know someone who could benefit from this program, please contact a Stephen Leader.
Interested in learning more about being a Stephen Minister?
Begin by talking to one of our active Stephen Leaders and they can tell you more:
Jack Benjamin
Nancy Benjamin
Dave Bursiek*
John Frick
Chuck Goins
Mike Hammersley
Forrest Heaton*
Mary Heaton*
Ann Henschel*
Vicki Lotz
Winnie Morgan*
Joan Page
Emily Parks
John Pfaltzgraff
Nancy Pfaltzgraff
Katherine Savage
Priscilla Singletary
Dave Stark
Judy Taft
Sally Taylor*
Rev. Robert E. Dunham*
Rev. Anna Pinckney Straight*
*indicates active Stephen Leader
New classes are held every two years. A new class of Stephen Ministers was trained in the fall of 2008. Stephen Ministers make a two-year commitment to train and serve. If you'd like to learn more about Stephen Ministry Training, click here.
Click here for Stephen Ministry FAQ (frequently asked questions).
Stephen Ministry
Featured on PBS
The PBS "Religion and Ethics" news show aired an eight-minute feature on Stephen Ministry in april 2010 that vividly describes the life-changing ministry happening in thousands of congregations.
View the Stephen Ministry feature on the PBS Web site, where you'll also find several bonus features--including a nine-minute interview with Stephen Ministries' founder and executive director, Kenneth C. Haugk.
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