Stephen Series
Congregation Snapshot

"Stephen Ministry is the glue that is helping many of our guests put the pieces of their lives back together," said Chaplain Frank Dew of Greensboro Urban Ministry in Greensboro, North Carolina. Helping individuals and families break the cycle of homelessness and poverty is a difficult but rewarding assignment. In this setting where ministry often begins with a bowl of soup or a warm sweater, Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers are finding that their relationships with guests last much longer than gifts of food or clothing.

Greensboro Urban Ministry (GUM) began in 1967 with the desire to express the love of God to those in need through practical action. Today it is supported by more than 200 congregations representing a broad range of faith traditions. As the economy continues to struggle and unemployment rates keep rising in the Greensboro area, the community needs this type of outreach more than ever.

Many types of assistance are available through GUM. The Emergency Assistance Program provides financial assistance, food, clothing, and household items. The Food Bank fills an average of 26 orders each day. Hot meals are served to an average of 500 persons each day in the Potter's House Community Kitchen. Weaver House and Pathways Center are for stays that may be overnight or up to 60 days. The Manfred Gaiser Substance Abuse Recovery Program (SARP) is in place for those recovering from substance abuse. Partnership Village is a transitional housing community for singles and families. There is even a day care center available, and a medical clinic is located next door. Project Independence works to help families move from public assistance to independent living. More than 100 volunteers work with staff members to keep all these programs active and available. "This shelter and its related services are not a solution, but a motivation for guests to get their lives going again," said Chaplain Dew.

So how does Stephen Ministry fit into the structure of this ministry? Chaplain Dew first heard about Stephen Ministry from the director of GUM's Food Bank. She was serving as a Stephen Leader at her church and suggested he check into it. After attending a half-day Stephen Series Caring Ministry Workshop, he brought the information to GUM, and GUM enrolled in 1996.

When Rev. Andrei Spells joined the ministry that year as a field worker doing a project for his M.Div. degree, he went through Stephen Minister training at GUM and became one of its first Stephen Ministers. A few years later, he attended a Stephen Series Leader's Training Course to become a Stephen Leader. Today he serves as one of the three staff chaplains and Stephen Leaders, along with Chaplain Dew and Rev. Helen McLaughlin.

"Stephen Ministry fits well in this setting," said Rev. Spells. "Those who come to GUM need God's touch to bring them back to the fold. A guest may have a Stephen Minister while he or she is with us, but then he or she leaves us. If that person returns, the first thing he or she does is to look for that Stephen Minister. The bond which the Holy Spirit creates between a Stephen Minister and a care receiver makes them friends for life."

"These caring relationships often continue for up to one year after the guests leave," said Chaplain Dew. "That is very unusual for this population. Our culture values people by their wallets. These folks are devalued every day. With Stephen Ministry, we are serving the individuals, not the program. The act of listening that takes place communicates to them that they are worth listening to. Stephen Ministers let the guests know that they are valuable because God values them. That's another reason these relationships last."

Supervision is a key component in maintaining the integrity of Stephen Ministry here. "We do it 'by the book,'" said Chaplain Dew. "If a Stephen Minister isn't involved in supervision on a regular basis, he or she cannot have a care receiver. That's the rule. That's how important supervision is. Occasionally we get together with area Stephen Ministry congregations for Continuing Education. Students from Wake Forest and Duke who are involved at GUM receive course credit for participating in Stephen Ministry."

"Once care receivers have been helped, they want to help others," said Rev. Spells. "They have a deeper understanding of the needs and hurts of this population. One of my goals for the future is to see more care receivers become Stephen Ministers." This has already happened a few times. After finishing her Stephen Ministry training, one woman even went back to nursing school to get her degree.

"We know we aren't here to fix or solve our guests' problems. We know God is the curegiver, and we are the caregivers. But it is so encouraging to see how many guests have returned to productive lives because of Stephen Ministry," said Chaplain Dew. "It is also our hope and prayer that they take Stephen Ministry with them to their congregations."

One of Chaplain Dew's long-term goals is to see more of the congregations that support GUM get involved in Stephen Ministry. "This is a great vehicle to help Christians claim their ministry. The training is excellent, good theology and good psychology combined. It is truly the priesthood of all believers in action. It empowers lay persons for ministry and allows God to work through each of them in a powerful way," Chaplain Dew said.

"If they don't have Stephen Ministry yet, pastors and congregations don't know what they're missing," said Rev. Spells. "We all know we can't do this alone. We need good Biblical support for those who are going through a crisis. Any congregation that wants to see the teaching and love of Jesus in action needs to get started with Stephen Ministry."

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