Are you going through a difficult time?
A Stephen Minister can help.
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 and community who are experiencing difficulty in their lives.
Pastors will always be 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—equipping God’s people for ministry. Gifted lay people are trained to support and extend the care that pastors continue to provide. Stephen Ministers reach out with God’s love to people who are hurting—both congregation members and nonmembers alike.
A Stephen Minister Is…
- 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 is a need
Stephen Ministers Care For People Facing Tough Times
I Can Tell Him Anything from Stephen Ministries on Vimeo.
We all experience challenges in life—times when we could 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 of difficulty, such as:
- Loss of a loved one
- Hospitalization
- Divorce or separation
- Spiritual crisis
- Unemployment or a job crisis
- A terminal illness
- Incarceration
- Aging
- Birth, adoption, miscarriage, or infertility
- A chronic illness
- Relocation
- Recovery after an accident or disaster
- And
many more…
Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry. The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each caring relationship remains private
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 about Stephen Ministry.
If you are a good listener and a compassionate person, prayerfully CONSIDER BECOMING A STEPHEN MINISTER.
Check back for our next training series dates. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Stephen Minister, contact us at . Following the application, there is an interview with two or more Stephen Leaders to confirm the readiness of each person for Stephen Ministry at this time.
Stephen Ministry At GPBC
Would you like to know more about this ministry?
Could you benefit from the confidential, one-to-one care and support of a Stephen Minister?
Do you know someone else who could benefit from Stephen Ministry?
Are you interested in possibly becoming a Stephen Minister?
Then contact Mitch
If you would like more information about Stephen Ministries, go to www.stephenministries.org.