Stephen Ministry

Pastors will always been on the front lines of care, especially during times of crisis, but there are many more needs for ongoing, one-to-one care than pastors can effectively meet by themselves. Stephen Ministry provides a Biblical solution by equipping God’s people for ministry. Gifted lay people are trained to support and extend the care that pastors provide. Stephen Ministers reach out with God’s love to people who are hurting—both congregation members and nonmembers alike. For more information, visit Stephen Ministry
 

What is Stephen Ministry?

Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. A Stephen Minister is…a child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting…a 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 faithfully for about an hour each week, for as long as there’s a need.

Stephen Ministers care for people facing tough times:

We all experience challenges in life — times when we would benefit from the support of a caring Christian friend. Stephen Ministers are ready to provide the emotional and spiritual care we need when faced with a crisis or difficulty such as loss of a loved one; hospitalization; divorce/separation/marriage difficulty; loneliness or discouragement; spiritual crisis; unemployment/job crisis; terminal or chronic illness; incarceration; aging/care of the elderly; birth, adoption, miscarriage, infertility; recovery after an accident or disaster.
 

Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry

The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each caring relationship remain private.
 

If you are a member of the Providence UMC church family, Stephen Ministry is YOUR ministry

You play an important role in our Stephen Ministry. Here’s what you can do: PRAY for God to bring hope and healing to hurting people through our Stephen Ministry; 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 program. We care for all of God’s children, not just those belonging to our congregation; CONSIDER becoming a Stephen Minister if you are a good listener and a compassionate person; CONTACT our Senior Pastor if you know someone who could benefit from Stephen Ministry or if you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister: Senior Pastor Rev. Herb Flanders 770-719-8800, ext. 2229