Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry is a Christ Centered, confidential, one-on-one ministry focused on giving long term emotional support to an individual who is going through a difficult season of life.

Stephen Ministry is:

• Christ Centered- A Stephen Minister cannot bring healing or wholeness to a care receiver but a Stephen Minister can be a part of the process of bringing a care receiver to the ONE who can bring healing and wholeness.

• Confidential - A Stephen Minister is trained in confidentiality. A Stephen Minister can be trusted, they will not share anything that is told to them in confidence unless the care receiver is being threatened or they are a threat to themselves or others.

• One-on-One - A Stephen Minister is able to focus on the individual and care deeply for one person at a time.

• Long Term Emotional Support - A Stephen Minister is there for the long haul. A Stephen Minister isn't someone who will be bringing meals or fixing the furnace, a Stephen Minister is there to listen, encourage, pray and be a sounding board. The Stephen Minister focuses on the feelings and emotional needs of a care receiver.

• For a Difficult Season of Life - A Stephen Minister can be there for a care receiver during any season of the care receiver's life. Everyone has difficult times of life that can cause hurt and isolation. A Stephen Minister steps into the hurt and isolation with a care receiver and is an anchor for them in times of difficulty.

A Stephen Minister is an individual who is

• Selected through a series of applications and interviews
• Trained through a 50 hour Stephen Ministry training course
• Supervised through bi-monthly peer supervision groups that help them to maintain the best possible care for their care receivers

To find out more, email John Berglund and check out the Stephen Ministry Website.