You have a Christian friend in Stephen Ministry.

Stephen Ministry is alive and well at Grace Community Church!  This “ministry without walls” is a confidential, Christian care-giving ministry that is offered at no cost to folks in need of a listening ear and nonjudgmental support as they cope with a stressful time in their lives.  Grace Community Church currently has a substantial number of active Stephen Ministers. The leadership team is comprised of Murry Haber, Jim Hancock, Ed O'Sullivan, Barbara Osborne, Melinda Walker, Chuck Sloan, and Peggy Hedrick. For those of you going through a difficult time, please call the Stephen Ministry hotline at 862-8522, ext. 54 and request the special care of a trained Stephen Minister.  If you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, please call either Peggy Hedrick 847-3070 or Melinda Walker, 325-0726.  For those of you who simply want to know more about Stephen Ministry, talk with anyone wearing a blue Stephen Ministry nametag.

What is the Stephen Ministry Program?

Stephen Ministry is a program that...

• Equips lay persons to provide distinctly Christian care to individuals who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances
• Multiplies our Christian care and outreach by providing long-term care
• Enhances our outreach by creating "a caring church"
  • Where many (instead of a few) offer Christ's love and care in intentional, systematic ways
  • Which understands itself to be a warm, loving and nurturing community
  • That identifies our congregation to the community as a place where people's needs are taken seriously.
• Meets the needs of people who need the care of other people.

Who are our Stephen Ministers?

Stephen Ministers are a group of gifted and dedicated lay volunteers. Their mission is to provide personal, confidential, and caring Christian support for any of a wide variety of concerns. Stephen Ministers are thoroughly trained in the skills of compassionate and non-judgmental listening. All our Stephen Ministers are selected for participation in this program on the basis of their capability to provide care and support.

What sort of problems can Stephen Ministers help with?

An exhaustive list would be impossible to present. Stephen Ministers are given specific instruction in a wide variety of life-issues. The following are just a few of the areas in which a Stephen Minister might provide resources, care and support.

To Those Dealing with...

• chronic or terminal illness
• unemployment
• job stress
• bereavement
• separation/divorce
• spiritual crisis
• depression

What sort of training do Stephen Ministers receive?

Fifty hours of intensive course work begin the Stephen Minister training process. Bi-Monthly continuing education is also required. On top of all this, Stephen Ministers meet twice monthly in a small group setting for supervision, affirmation and support.

Can a Stephen Minister substitute for a therapist?

Absolutely not! Stephen Ministry is not a counseling program - it is a caring ministry. Unlike therapists, Stephen Ministers are not primarily problem solvers. They are fellow members of the body of Christ who stand with you, offering the love of Christ.

How can I receive a Stephen Minister?

Persons looking for a Stephen Minister need to go through our referral process. It works like this...

• A person, - either you, a relative or a friend - is hurting and in need of Christian care.
• The Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator learns about this need for care, from the church staff, the person or a friend, a phone call, a prayer request card, always with the person's permission.
• The Referrals Coordinator contacts the person and describes Stephen Ministry.
• With the person's permission, the Referrals Coordinator assigns a Stephen Minister to meet on a weekly basis with the person.
• The Stephen Minister continues to provide distinctly Christian care for the person, with strict confidentiality.

Who will know that I have a Stephen Minister?

Only those that you choose to reveal it to. All Stephen Ministry relationships are strictly confidential.

How do I make that first phone call?

Call 862-8522, ext. 54 to start the process of making a referral.

How can I become a Stephen Minister?

If you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, contact Murry Haber, 862-8521, ext 15. 

The Meaning of the Stephen Ministry Logo

The circle is a symbol of God’s eternal and never-ending love for us. God’s love surrounds us, holds us, heals us, with the cross of Jesus at the center of that love. For it was Jesus, God’s Son, who allowed himself to be broken on the cross to save us from our sin and give us the opportunity to be restored to wholeness through him.

Stephen Ministry Calendar

Stephen Ministry Bulletin Board

Stephen Ministry Application

For More information, contact: