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In Stephen Ministry congregations, lay caregivers (called
Stephen Ministers) provide one-to-one Christian care
to the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated,
divorced, unemployed, relocated, and others facing a
crisis or life challenge. Stephen Ministry helps Pastors
and congregations provide quality caring ministry for
as long as people need it.
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If you could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister, or are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, send a confidential e-mail to our Stephen Leader. Click here |
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In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus tells his followers, "Come
to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will
give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from
me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will
find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my
burden is light."
• Do you feel weary?
• Does the yoke of life seem to difficult for you to carry alone?
• Are your burdens too much to bear?
God has called some persons within our congregation
to Stephen Ministry. These persons are trained and supported
in walking with others through difficult times in their
lives.
Copyright © 2000 by Stephen
Ministries, St. Louis
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"My Stephen Minister listened to me as no one
else could at that point in my life. He was always
there—listening, sharing Scriptures, praying with
me. That was when I realized that God was still working
in my life, Jesus was still saying 'yes' to me, and
I was going to be okay."
These are the actual words of Scott Robeson, who received
care from a Stephen Minister when he was going through
a divorce and who gave us permission to quote him by
name. He resisted asking for help at first, but "a
voice deep inside" challenged him to ask others
for help.
• Do you feel a loss of God's presence?
• Do you question how God is working in your life?
• Are you experiencing a life situation that leads you to question
whether or not
you'll be okay?
Copyright © 2000 by Stephen
Ministries, St. Louis
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Dear members
of Ascension:
Our congregation has a group of people skilled in
caring for those facing challenges in their lives.
These people, called Stephen Ministers, have undergone
extensive training to develop and nurture their caring
skills. Following a commissioning service in June of
2001, they began their caring ministries in our congregation
and community. Now our Stephen Ministers are working
with people who are experiencing many different kinds
of crises and stress in their lives.
Who might receive care from a Stephen Minister? Care
receivers may be hospitalized, grieving the death of
a loved one, separated or divorcing, homebound, unemployed,
adjusting to the birth of a child, or otherwise experiencing
difficulties.
Each of us has times when we are lonely, grieving,
hurt, or in need of care. In his second letter to the
Corinthians, Paul tells us that such troubles can bring
spiritual growth to the sufferer. But when we who are
in Christ suffer, we also find comfort through Christ,
and one of the ways we find this comfort is through
others who have found Christ's care and comfort in
their sufferings (2 Corinthians 1:4-6). Our Stephen
Ministers offer this Christlike care to those in need.
Think about your life and the lives of the people
around you. Are you going through a time of crises
or challenge? Do you know someone who is suffering
from grief or loneliness? Is one of your friends struggling
to find meaning in life after he or she has retired
or after all the children have gone? Could you or someone
you know benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister?
If you have questions about the work of the Stephen
Ministers in and around Ascension, feel free to call
me or talk to one of the Stephen Leaders or Stephen
Ministers. The people who are so generously giving
of their time and talents as Stephen Leaders and Stephen
Ministers are Danny Cline, Lee Cline, Shirley Fawcett,
Tom Oster, and Dan Willoughby. Please consider whether
you know of someone who needs their care. And I ask
you to remember them and their ministries in your thoughts
and prayers.
Yours in Christ,
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Pastor Marcy Miller
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If
you could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister,
or are interested in
becoming a Stephen Minister, send a confidential e-mail to our
Stephen Leader. |
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Stephen
Ministers
This link to the Stephen Ministries Web Site is exclusively for Stephen
Ministers. You'll find valuable information, fresh ideas, and downloadable
documents. This area of the Stephen Ministries Web Site is designed to
support and encourage Stephen Ministers in their ministry. Pages are
updated on a monthly basis, giving Stephen Ministers a constant flow
of ideas and encouragement to help them in their ministry.
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