"Christ Caring for People through People"

What is Stephen Ministry?
Our congregation's Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation who are experiencing difficulties in their lives.  Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry: The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each caring relationship remains private.

Who can benefit from having a Stephen Minister?
Anyone who has experienced a change in life that has resulted in stress or loss may benefit by meeting with a Stephen Minister. Throughout life, there are times when each of us needs the care and Christian friendship that a Stephen Minister can provide. Such situations include but are not limited to . . .














What is a Stephen Minister?
-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 faithfully for about an hour each week, for as long as there's a need

Contacts for Messiah Lutheran Church's Stephen Ministry are
    Charlie Underwood
    Claire Strand
    Anita deJong

The PBS “Religion and Ethics” news show recently aired an eight-minute feature about Stephen Ministry. You can watch online on the PBS web site: www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/tag/stephen-ministry ...just click on the April 9, 2010 “Stephen Ministry” feature