What is Stephen Ministry?

Stephen Ministry is an international lay-ministry founded in 1975 in St. Louis, Missouri. Over 12,000 congregations throughout the world have Stephen Ministry. Stephen Ministers receive 50 hours of training before a care receiver is assigned and participate in monthly peer supervision and continuing education. The Stephen Leaders receive an additional 60 hours of training.

 

The Stephen Minister’s role is to be there for someone and listen without judgment and with confidentiality. “Our role is not to fix the problem. We’re the care giver, not the cure giver. God is the cure giver.”

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Stephen Ministers lend a sympathetic ear

Care receivers are those who are suffering due to a serious illness, a loss of someone dear, a lost job, conflicts with family members, or some other life event that brings sorrow, anger, pain, and loneliness.  

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Could you benefit from a Stephen Minister?

The Stephen Minister meets confidentially with the care receiver once a week to listen, care, pray with and for you, and provide emotional and spiritual encouragement.

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For more information about connecting with a Stephen Minister or becoming a Stephen Minister, please contact Rev. Justin Miller in the church office at 903-465-3350, or email to justin@waplesumc.org.

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