A Stephen Minister is a committed lay person who has received 50 hours of initial training in caring ministry skills and concepts. The care given by Stephen Ministers is confidential, distinctively Christian, gender specific, one-to-one care given to a person who is wrestling with life issues. People who are experiencing grief, financial setbacks, retirement, divorce, family frustrations or spiritual struggles are a few examples of those helped by caring listening.

Stephen Ministers are not counselors, therapists, problem solvers or casual visitors, but trained people committed to listening and lifting hurting people to God who is the Cure Giver. The name “Stephen Minister” comes from the early church when the apostles chose among the faithful disciples those who would be sent into the community to minister to the needs of the people, "And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit …" Acts 6:5 (NRSV).

In part two of the Baggage Claim sermon series (January 16-17, 2010) Pastors Marty Grubbs and Ron Mahn spoke about how we view our experiences and how they reflect in our behavior. Listen online. Would you like to visit with someone about your "baggage?" Contact Pam at 302.1203.

If you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister or in receiving care from a Stephen Minister, call Pam at 302.1203.