Stephen Ministers Are Ready to Care

Background
Resurrection Parish's Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives.

A Stephen Minister is ...

• A child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting
• A congregation member with gifts for caregiving, who was carefully selected to serve in this role
• A lay person who has received 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care
• A caring, Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages
• Someone who will "be there" for his or her receiver, meeting faithfully for about an hour each week, for as long as there is a need

"Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Stephen Ministry is Your Ministry

You play an important role in our Stephen Ministry. Here's what you can do:

•  Pray for God to bring hope and healing to hurting people through our Stephen Ministry.
•  Accept care from a Stephen Minister during your time of need. God doesn't expect you to bear your burdens alone.
•  Tell a friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative who is hurting about our Stephen Ministry
•  If you are a good listener and compassionate person, prayerfully consider becoming a Stephen Minister.

Stephen Leaders are...Trained leaders in our congregation who oversee and direct our Stephen Ministry.

If you - or someone you know - could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister ... If you are interested in possibly becoming a Stephen Minister ... If you have any other questions about Stephen Ministry ... talk with one of our Stephen Leaders.

Stephen Ministry Multiplies Ministry

Pastors will always be on the front lines of care, especially during times of crisis. But there are always many more needs for ongoing, one-to-one care than pastors can effectively meet by themselves.

Stephen Ministry provides a biblical solution -- equipping God's people for ministry. Gifted lay people are trained to support and extend the care that pastors can provide.

Stephen Ministers reach out with God's love to people who are hurting -- both congregation members and nonmembers alike.

"To equip the saints for the work of ministry." Ephesians 4:12a

Father Mike McDermott......... (308) 381-6033

Discouraged?        Confused?          Broken?

"Therefore encourage one another and build up each other." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Stephen Ministers Care for People Facing Tough Times

• Loss of a loved one
• Hospitalization
• Divorce or separation
• Loneliness or discouragement
• Spiritual crises
• 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
• and Many more
  

Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry: The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each caring relationship remains private.

Stephen Ministries St. Louis Supports our congregation's Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministries is a not-for-profit Christian educational organization based in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1975, Stephen Ministries provides training and resources to thousands of congregations and organizations worldwide. Go to www.stephenministries.org or call (314) 428-2600 to learn more. 

June 2009 commissioned Stephen's Ministers:

Sarita Panowicz
Russ & Iva Bolling
Lori Hock
Monte Czaplewski
Trish Curran
Mary Singkofer 
John Pebeck

May God be with you as you take on this wonderful ministry!