Our congregation's Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing challenges in their lives. 

 

Our pastors will always be on the front lines of care, especially during times of crisis.  But there are always many more needs for ongoing, one-to-one care than Jeff and Kerri can effectively meet by themselves.  Stephen Ministry multiplies our caring ministry by equipping God's people for this unique caring ministry.  Gifted lay people are trained to support and extend the care that our pastors will continue to provide.  Stephen Ministers reach out with God's love to people who are hurting - both congregation members and nonmembers alike. 

 

Meet our first class of Stephen Ministers

Our first class will begin their training in January of 2010.

Betty Evans

Roger Glander

Bev Knox

Gary Mahoney

Jim Paisley

Darilyn Simon

Susan Sulcs

Please continue your prayers for them and our Stephen Ministry program. 

 

Interested in being a Stephen Minister?

Our next training class will begin in the Fall of 2010.  If you have questions, please speak with Caroline McClendon or Kerri Peterson-Davis. 

 

Applications can be downloaded by clicking on this link.

 

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Excerpt from a recent Stephen Ministries "Care-Mail" electronic newsletter:

Stephen Ministry Featured on PBS
The PBS "Religion and Ethics" news show recently aired an eight-minute feature on Stephen Ministry 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.

• a child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting
• a congregation member with gifts for caregiving who was carefully selected to serve in this role
• a lay person who has received 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care
• a caring, Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages
• someone who will "be there" for his or her care receiver; meeting faihtfully for about an hour each week, for as long as there is a need.

Stephen Ministry is Confidential

This is Your Ministry

You play an important role in our Stephen Ministry.  Here is what you can do:

• Pray for the start of up this ministry; our Stephen Leaders, Caroline and Kerri; and those considering being a Stephen Minister.
• Accept care from a Stephen Minister during your time of need.  God doesn't expect you to bear your burdens alone!
• Tell a friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative who is hurting about our Stephen Ministry.
• If you are a good listener and a compassionate person, prayerfully consider becoming a Stephen Minister. 

• loss of a loved one
• hospitalization
• divorce or separation
• loneliness or discouragement
• spiritual crisis
• unemployment or a job crisis
• a terminal illness
• incarceration
• aging
• birth, adoption, miscarriage or infertility
• a chronic illness
• the spouse of one dealing with a chronic illness
• relocation
• recovery after an accident or disaster
   

Stephen Ministries St. Louis supports our congregation's Stephen Ministry.  Stephen Ministries is a not-for-profit Christian educational organization based in St. Louis, Missouri.  Founded in 1975, Stephen Ministries provides training and resources to thousands of congregatoins and organizations worldwide.  For more information call (314) 428-2600.