Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry is an international organization of which First Presbyterian Church is a member.  It provides one-to-one caring ministry by trained lay ministers to persons experiencing a personal crisis. Stephen Ministers provide trained, nurturing, objective support so that the care receiver can deal with his/her crisis, make appropriate decisions concerning actions to be taken, and recognize that, through another human being, God is caring for them.

Stephen Ministers are first and foremost responsible to their Care Receiver (the person who is experiencing a crisis in his/her life and has requested assistance).  To provide the best caring ministry, the Stephen Minister is expected to meet regularly with his/her Care Receiver and to be committed to improving his/her caring ministry through continuing education.

To become a Stephen Minister, an individual must participate in the 40-hour training at our church. He/she then is expected to attend continuing education sessions as long as he/she is an active Stephen Minister.  After the initial training, active Stephen Ministers are expected to meet once a month for two hours for continuing education and supervision of their work.

Currently there are three trained leaders along with the Associate Pastor.  Our church has many active Stephen Ministers with new training sessions being conducted every other year. A special flyer on Stephen Ministry is available in the pew card holders or from a Stephen Ministry leader.

Stephen Ministers are trained lay ministers of the church.  They assist the Pastors with ongoing care for members in need.  They do not have all the answers, but their extensive and ongoing training enables them to help people get through major crises and losses, as well as simply walk with those who are trying to handle the stress of daily life.  There is no concern too big or too small to share with a Stephen Minister.  On a confidential one-to-one basis, Stephen Ministers offer nurture, support, comfort, and prayer, thereby reflecting the love of God in other’s lives.

If you or someone you know might benefit from the listening ears and caring heart of a Stephen Minister, please call Donna Giver Johnston (423-2112), Deb Watson (422-9276), Shirley Copeland (424-1379), or Gene Hall (423-3594) for a confidential referral.