Welcome to Church Street's Stephen Ministry

• Is life more than you can handle alone right now?
• Is your health or your attitude suffering?
• Are your relationships suffering?
• Are you adjusting to a new job, change in marital status, a serious illness, the death of a loved one, or a recent move?
• Would you like to have someone in your life who really cares?

What is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry is grounded in Jesus’ command to love one another. The ministry is named after Stephen, one of the first deacons in the early Christian church, commissioned by the apostles to care for the needs of people in the Christian community.

Through one-to-one caring relationships, those who are hurting receive the love and care they need to support them. This ministry provides one-on-one Christian care to individuals facing life challenges. Having someone to care, to listen, and to share God’s love with you can help you get through the confusion, stress, or loneliness you may be experiencing. The role of a Stephen Minister is to listen and care, not to advise and give counsel, and to recognize when a person's needs exceed what they can provide. Confidentiality is preserved at all times by not discussing care receivers by name or by implication.

What is a Stephen Minister?
A Stephen Minister is a child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting; a caring, Christian friend who takes the time to really listen; and 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, a problem solver or a casual visitor

What are the needs with which Stephen Ministry can help? We help those who are hospitalized, terminally ill, bereaved, in a job crisis, separated or divorced, disabled, homebound, lonely, looking for a caring Christian friend. 

Church Street's Stephen Ministers
Those Stephen Ministers serving at Church Street include: Cindy Greene, Philip Hutton, Anne Jackson, Janice McCoy*, Verna McLain, Sarah Moody*, LaNoka Rhodes, Harlan RIchards, Eric Schmittou, Fran Wheeler, Frank Word* and Tim York*. Note: Those marked with an asterick are also our Stephen Leaders.

For more information...
If you feel you could benefit from a Stephen Minister or need more information about this Ministry, please talk to any clergy member.