"Stephen Ministry" is... 

... Christ caring for people through people.

... a confidential, one-on-one caring relationship provided by individuals who have been trained to listen and give care.

... a way for people to experience God's eternal love through others here and now. 

©Bereaved   ©Terminally ill    ©Separated or divorcing   ©Hospitalized or convalescing    ©Single Parents    ©Vocational stresses     ©Caretakers of ill or disabled    ©Homebound    ©Residents of long term care facilities    ©Retiring    ©Dealing with adoption    ©Victims of crime    ©New residents of a community    ©Chronically ill  

Stephen Ministers do all the following:

 † Provide quality one-to-one ministry as trained, caring church members reaching out to others in time of need.

 † Engage in a care-giving relationship that focuses on the unique needs of one person and lasts as long as the needs exists.

 † Receive support, guidance and supervision from Stephen Leaders and from each other

 † Listen

 † Explore Feelings

 † Pray

 † Share Christ’s Love

 † Maintain Confidentiality

 † Attend to the care-giving process and leave the results to God

 † A 24-month commitment of service to the ministry

 † Attendance at and participation in the 50-hour training program

 † Study of the training materials

 † Service as a Stephen Minister (usually involving a one-hour weekly one-to-one visit) for about 18 months following completion of training

 † Participation in twice monthly supervision meetings following completion of training

 † Help to find people who would benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister

In Acts 6:1-7, Stephen is identified as one of the first laypersons set aside to do caring ministry. Kenneth Haugk, an ordained minister and clinical psychologist, picked Stephen as the emblem for the lay caregiving program he started in 1975 to meet the needs of his own congregation.  He is the executive director of Stephen Ministries St. Louis.

The Stephen Series is now in more than 7,500 congregations from 100 denominations, in all 50 states, nine Canadian provinces and 20 other countries. More than 40,000 pastors, church staff and laypersons have been trained as Stephen Leaders and nearly 300,000 people have trained as Stephen Ministers in their congregations. An estimated 750,000 people have received the care of a Stephen Minister.

To learn more contact Pastor Ken Green Minister of Nurturing  

(Visit the official Stephen Ministry website by clicking here.)