STEPHEN MINISTRY IS HERE.

What is Stephen Ministry?

In Acts 6, Stephen was among those chosen to provide caring ministry to those in need. Since Jesus’ time, caring ministry has been a hallmark of the Christian faith community.

Our First Prez Stephen Ministry is grounded in Jesus’ command to love one another. Through one-to-one caring relationships, those who are hurting receive the love and care they need to support them.

• Is life more than you can handle alone right now?

• Are your health, your attitude, or your relationships suffering?

• Are you adjusting to a new job, a change in marital status, a serious illness, the death of a loved one, a recent move?

• Would you like to have someone in your life who really cares?

Everyone goes through difficult times. Having someone to listen, to share God’s love with you can help you get through the confusion, stress, or loneliness you may be experiencing. 

How does the referral process work?

• A person (either you, a relative, or a friend) is hurting and in need of Christian care.

• The Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator learns about this need from the pastor, the person, or a friend, and always with the person’s permission.

• The Referrals Coordinator meets with the person to talk about Stephen Ministry.

• With the person’s permission, the Referrals Coordinator assigns a Stephen Minister to meet with the person on a weekly basis.

• The Stephen Minister continues to provide distinctively Christian care for the person in strict confidentiality.

What is a Stephen Minister? 

• A child of God who walks beside a hurting person

• A caring Christian friend who really listens

• A lay person who has received 50 hours of training in how to provide distinctively Christian care

A Stephen Minister is NOT:

• A counselor or therapist; not a problem-solver; not a casual visitor.

Stephen Ministers Are Called to Be Caregivers 

• “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal 6:2)

• “Encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” (1 Thes 5:14b)

God Is the Caregiver 

• “Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you.” (Psalm 55:2)

• “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

• “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

• "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us." (1 John 4:11-12)

Stephen Ministry helps meet the needs of individuals who are: 

• terminally ill

• bereaved

• in a job crisis

• new members of the church

• in a spiritual crisis

• going through a divorce or separation

• in a spiritual crisis

• going through a financial crisis

• have a family member that is going through treatment for cancer, a debilitating illness or is terminally ill

• moving from independent to assisted living

Consider allowing a Stephen Minister to walk with you on your journey to wholeness.

Here’s an excerpt from a testimony a former care receiver wrote about our Stephen Ministry at First Prez: 

“When I was assigned to my Stephen Minister, it was truly a great blessing to me. She came into my life as a ray of sunshine, hands outstretched in friendship and hope. As she prayed for me and we prayed together I felt the spirit of God enriching my life and instilling more determination to fight the cancer. She was very faithful – truly a representative of what a true Christian is to be. I will be forever indebted to First Prez for having this program. I believe this and prayer has been the start of my healing.”

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A STEPHEN MINISTER?

On the other hand, if you’re curious about serving as a Stephen Minister (the one who provides the care and support), please contact Marianna Meachen or Karen Cabral.