How Does It Work?

A trained Stephen Minister is prayerfully matched with a person (called a Care Receiver) who is experiencing a difficult life issue or painful situation. The Stephen Minister and Care Receiver typically meet weekly for about an hour. It is a time for the Stephen Minister to listen, care, encourage, pray, and offer spiritual and emotional support to the Care Receiver. This relationship lasts as long as the Care Receiver needs it.

Who are Stephen Ministers?

Stephen Ministers are congregation members who have been trained (by Stephen Leaders) for 50 hours and participate in monthly continuing education relating to a variety of crisis situations. Stephen Ministers are compassionate, trustworthy, spiritually mature individuals with a heart for caring ministry.

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

Who are Stephen Leaders?

Stephen Leaders are trained lay leaders who, along with the pastor, oversee their congregation’s Stephen Ministry. In addition to caregiving, they provide training and structure to the ministry, communicate with the church, and organize the program.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:15

Who are Care Receivers?

Care Receivers are people from the church or the community who are encountering a difficult time. They are paired with a Stephen Minister of the same gender for confidential care for as long as it is needed. Care receivers may be facing any number of life challenges including grief, medical crisis/chronic condition, broken relationships, caregiver stress, deployment issues, family changes/problems, financial difficulties/job stress, legal issues, loneliness, and faith struggles/spiritual crisis.