The Stephen Ministry is a confidential, lay-caring ministry grounded in Jesus' command to love one another. Those who are hurting receive love and support through one-to-one caring relationships.  The ministry is named after Stephen, one of the first deacons in the early Christian church, commissioned by the apostles to care for the needs of people in the Christian community.

What is Stephen Ministry?

According to the Acts of the Apostles, during the early time frame of the Christian church in Jerusalem, Stephen was one of seven men, probably Hellenistic Jews, chosen to attend to the distribution of aid to elderly widows within the church community. (This role came to be known as deacon.) Stephen was also recognized for his gifts as an evangelist, preaching the teachings of Jesus to the people of Jerusalem, including members of the place of the Hellenistic synagogues

Today, a Stephen Minister is a member of the congregation who is trained to listen, care, encourage, pray, and walk along side you during difficult times. Their support in a time of crisis or illness is confidential, free, and very helpful.

Stephen Ministry is grounded in Jesus' command to love one another.  Through one-to-one caring relationships, those who are hurting receive the love and care they need to support them.

• Is life more than you can handle alone right now?

• Are your health, your attitude, or your relationships suffering?

• Are you adjusting to a new job, change in marital status, a serious illness, the death of a loved one, a recent move?

• Would you like to have someone in your life who really cares?

Everyone goes through difficult times.  Having someone to care, to listen, to share God's love with you can help you get through the confusion, stress, or loneliness you may be experiencing.

What is a Stephen Minister?

A Stephen Minister is...

• a child of God who walks beside a hurting person

• a caring Christian friend who really listens

• a lay person who has received 50 hours of training in how to provide distinctively Christian care.

A Stephen Minister is NOT...

• a counselor or therapist

• a problem-solver

• a casual visitor

Stephen Ministry helps meet the needs of individuals who are...

• Hospitalized

• Terminally ill

• Bereaved

• In a job crisis

• New member of the church

• Disabled

• Homebound

• Lonely

• In a spiritual crisis

• Looking for a caring, Christian friend

How Does the Referral Process Work?

• A person - either you, a relative, or a friend - is hurting and in need of Christian care.

• The Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator learns about this need for care - from the pastor, the person, or a friend, always with the person's permission.

• The Referrals Coordinator meets with the person to talk about Stephen Ministry.

• With the person's permission, the Referrals Coordinator assigns a Stephen Minister to meet on a weekly basis with the person.

• The Stephen Minister continues to provide distinctively Christian care for the person with strict confidentiality.

Download The Stephen Ministry Brochure

For further information please email Jennifer Taylor-Cox