Stephen Ministry is a one-on-one compassionate, caring lay ministry that takes place in the congregations that use the International Stephen Ministry Program. Stephen Ministry equips and empowers lay caregivers – called Stephen Ministers – to provide high-quality, confidential, nonjudgmental, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting.
We have seven Stephen Ministers in our congregation available to provide short or long-term care to members of our congregation and our community. Each has gone through more than fifty hours of initial training and ongoing biweekly continual education. Every Stephen Minister is committed to visiting their care receiver every week for as long as their care is needed.
Who would benefit from a Stephen Minister? Anyone experiencing loss or pain. Most people associate Stephen Ministry with care for those who are going through the grief of the loss of a spouse or close family member or friend, or are suffering a major, chronic or terminal illness, but Stephen Ministry is so much more. It can be helpful for someone going through divorce, loss of job, a difficult pregnancy, retirement, a move to a smaller home, assisted care facility or nursing home, or anything in life causing a feeling of loss or emotional or spiritual pain.
If you or anyone you know feels the need for a Stephen Minister you can call the church office. Every communication between the care receiver and a Stephen Minister is always confidential.
