What Is Stephen Ministry?

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2, NRSV).

Grace has a dedicated group of five Stephen Ministers who provide confidential one-on-one care to members of the congregation. Stephen ministers reach out with God’s love, compassion and caring to anyone facing a challenge or going through a difficult time. Some examples of situations in which a Stephen Minister might provide care are if you are: grieving the loss of a loved one, dealing with an illness or hospitalization, going through divorce, experiencing job loss or career crisis, recovering from trauma, or other life challenges.

Care Receivers

Care Receivers—People going through tough times who are being cared for by Stephen Ministers. Watch videos with stories from care receivers.
Care receivers are people—congregation members and others in the community—who receive care from a Stephen Minister. These are people struggling through a difficult time in life—experiencing grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or some other life crisis.
Some important guidelines for this caring relationship protect both the care receiver and the Stephen Minister:
The relationship between a care receiver and a Stephen Minister is confidential.
Men are matched with men; women with women.
When a care receiver’s needs exceed what a Stephen Minister can provide, the Stephen Ministry team makes a referral to an appropriate mental health professional or other community resource.
 
If you would like to be matched with a Stephen Minster contact us.

What is Stephen Ministry?

The Stephen Ministry lay caring program was founded in 1975 and is now in more than 13,000 congregations from more than 170 Christian denominations, in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces, and 30 other countries. You can learn more about the Stephen Ministry program here: www.StephenMinistries.org

 

To receive caring from a Stephen Minister: If you or someone you know could benefit from a Stephen Minister, please contact the church office to be put in touch with one of our Stephen Leaders.

 

To become a Stephen Minister: Stephen Ministers receive 50 hours of structured training and ongoing supervision and continuing education. If you believe that you may be called to serve in this caring ministry, please ask the church office to put you in touch with one of our Stephen Leaders.