What is Stephen Ministry?
First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg equips laypeople (a congregation member) to provide one-to-one Christian care to people in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives.
Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry. The identify of those receiving care and everything they discuss with a Stephen Minister remains private.
A Stephen Minister is…
- A child of God who walks beside someone who is hurting.
- A congregation member who is carefully selected to serve in this role because of his or her caregiving gifts.
- A lay person with 50 hours of training in providing high-quality, distinctively Christian care.
- A caring Christian friend who listens, cares, pray, supports, and encourages.
- Someone who meets faithfully each week with his or her care receiver for as long as there’s a need.
Stephen Ministers Care for People Facing Tough Times
We all experience challenges in life – times when we could benefit from care and support. Stephen Ministers can provide the emotional and spiritual care we need when faced with a crisis or difficulty such as:
- Loss of a loved one
- Hospitalization
- Divorce or separation
- Loneliness or discouragement
- 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
- Many other life challenges
If you or someone you know could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister, please contact our church office and ask for a referral to Pastor Bob or Stephen Leaders Joyce and Bill Potter.