Stephen Ministry
Care When Life Gets Hard
Life brings seasons that are overwhelming, painful, or uncertain. During those times, it helps to have someone who will simply listen, care, and walk beside you.
Stephen Ministry provides confidential, one-to-one Christian care for people going through difficult times.
Our trained Stephen Ministers are caring members of our congregation who offer compassionate support through listening, prayer, encouragement, and presence.
They meet regularly with individuals who need care, providing a steady source of encouragement during challenging seasons.
Receive Care
If you are experiencing a difficult time and would like to talk with someone who will listen with compassion and care, a Stephen Minister may be able to help.
Contact one of our pastors to learn more or request a Stephen Minister.
Become a Stephen Minister
Do you feel called to care for others during difficult seasons of life?
Stephen Ministry is a meaningful way to serve by offering Christ-centered care to people who need encouragement, listening, and support.
Email us to learn more about becoming a Stephen Minister.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who are carefully recruited, trained, and commissioned to provide one-to-one care for individuals going through difficult life situations.
Each person requesting care is matched with a Stephen Minister who typically meets with them once a week for about an hour.
What do Stephen Ministers do?
A Stephen Minister’s care is an expression of Christ’s love and an extension of the pastoral care of this congregation.
Stephen Ministers provide care by:
- Active, non-judgemental listening
- Supporting, praying, and helping their care receivers explore feelings
- Offering emotional and spiritual support
Their role is not to fix problems, but to be a caring presence while God brings healing and hope.
What kinds of situations do Stephen Ministers help with?
Stephen Ministers support people facing many types of life challenges, including but not limited to:
- Grief (death of a loved one, permanent disability, end of life, chronic care)
- Medical crisis (accident/trauma, diagnosis, health issues)
- Job-related or financial crisis (job loss, financial challenges)
- Family crisis (broken marriage, difficult family situations)
- Major life transitions (new baby, empty nest, relocation, retirement, moving to assisted living, etc.)
They are sometimes called “the After People” because they are there long after the crisis begins—when someone simply needs a caring presence.
What training do Stephen Ministers receive?
Stephen Ministers complete more than 50 hours of training before being paired with a care receiver. The classes are distinctively Christian and focus on God as the One who cures as we provide care.
Training includes topics such as:
- Active listening
- Christian caregiving
- Maintaining healthy boundaries
- Supporting those experiencing grief
Stephen Ministers also gather monthly with trained Stephen Leaders for supervision, support, and continuing education. This ongoing supervision assures that no Stephen Minister will ever have to carry the responsibility of their care receiver alone.
Is Stephen Ministry confidential?
A Stephen Minister maintains confidentiality about their care receiver’s identity and personal information, as well as the content of their conversations. A care receiver can feel free to share openly with their Stephen Minister.