Stephen Ministry

What is Stephen Ministry?

Stephen Ministry is grounded in Jesus' command to love one another. Through one-to-one caring relationships, those who are hurting receive the love and care they need to support them.

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

How does the referral process work?

Everyone goes through difficult times. Having someone to care, to listen, to share God's love with you can help you get through the confusion, stress, or loneliness you may be experiencing.

-A person (either you, a relative, or a friend) is hurting and in need of Christian care.
-The Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator can learn about this need for care from the pastor, the person, himself, or a friend.
-The Referrals Coordinator meets with the person to talk about Stephen Ministry.
-With the person's permission, the Referrals Coordinator assigns a Stephen Minister to meet on a weekly basis with the person.
T-he Stephen Minister provides distinctively Christian care for the person in strict confidentiality.

What is a Stephen Minister?

A Stephen Minister is...

-a child of God who walks beside a hurting person;
-a caring Christian friend who really listens;
-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;
-a casual visitor.

Stephen Ministers Are Called to Be Caregivers:
-Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
-Encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Thessalonians 5:14

Stephen Ministry helps meet the needs of individuals who are hospitalized, terminally ill, bereaved, in a job crisis, new members of the church, disabled, homebound, lonely, in a spiritual crisis, or looking for a caring Christian friend.

Dear Friends; Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. - I John 4:11-12

God Is the Curegiver

Consider allowing a Stephen Minister to walk with you on your journey to wholeness.

Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you. - Psalm 55:22
Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. - Matthew 11:28
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. - Peter 5:7

How Do I Get More Information?

If you are in need of a Stephen Minister or know someone who is, or would like to learn more about the program to become a Stephen Minister, contact Bethel's main office at (703) 670-4929 or email us below.