Our
Stephen
Ministry
ChristCare
Small Groups
Grief
Resources
Courses
and More- Christian Caregiving--
a Way of Life - Caring Evangelism: How to Live and Share Christ's Love
- Discovering God's Vision for Your Life: You and Your
Spiritual Gifts - Spiritual Growth through
Spiritual Gifts - Leader Killers: How
to Identify and Deal
with Antagonists in
Your Organization - Antagonists in the Church: How to Identify and Deal with Destructive Conflict
- Caring for Inactive Members: How to Make God’s House a Home
- Christian Caregiving--
Career
Opportunities
About
Us
The Quest for Quality Caring:
Improve Your Ability to Relate to Others
Price: $9.95
Friends Packet
Yes, Lord
Price: $9.95
Caring Criticism: Building Bridges Instead of Walls
Price: $9.95
The Promise of Hope: Coping When Life Caves In
Price: $9.95
Stories, News, and Snapshots
from Stephen Ministry
Congregations
Stories about Stephen Ministry in Action
Stephen Ministry Networks:
Staying Connected
Stephen Leader Don Zerfas found that the Stephen Series Leader's Training Course he attended in April 2000 was a time of tremendous learning and fellowship. After he returned home, he continued to enjoy the same connections with other Stephen Leaders . . .
Two Stephen Leaders Bring
Stephen Ministry to Seven Congregations
Meet Jo Ann Zimmerman and Lynn Efird, two of a growing number of previously trained Stephen Leaders who carry forward the blessings of Stephen Ministry to their new congregations when they move. . . .
This visionary congregation celebrated their anniversary all year long--building their team, hosting a Stephen Ministry Workshop, extending their ministry--and more!
Three Times Blessed:
Sharing the Gift of Stephen Ministry with Others
Often care receivers are so grateful for Stephen Ministry that they become Stephen Ministers themselves to offer others the gift they received. Sometimes they go on to be Stephen Leaders as well. Read about two who know the blessing of Stephen Ministry from all three points of view.
Blue Christmas:
Helping Hurting People Cope with the Holidays
Not everyone welcomes the holidays with joy. For those dealing with loss, sadness, grief, stress, loneliness, and despair, the holidays can be a time of dread. Read how some Stephen Ministry congregations offer special ways to help those experiencing a "Blue Christmas."
A care receiver finds a Stephen Minister to care for her after the loss of her husband.
After a series of tragic events, one man finds Jesus in his care receiver.
Walking in Someone Else's Shoes
A Stephen Minister shows the true meaning of servanthood by giving up her new shoes for a homeless woman.
A Stephen Minister tells about a chance encounter in which she used her Stephen Ministry skills with a neighbor.
A care receiver is amazed that his Stephen Minister would continue to visit him in the nursing home week after week.
Walking Together in Love, Growing Together in Christ
After her own experience with grief, a Stephen Minister walks with a care receiver in a similar situation.
Shared experiences of a Stephen Minister and her care receiver allow them to bond and develop an instant rapport.
A man finds out about Stephen Ministry as his dying brother is cared for by a Stephen Minister.
What Happened That Night Was True Ministry
A team of Stephen Ministers cares for a family during a tornado.
Stephen Ministry Finds a Role in Show Business
A woman uses her Stephen Ministry skills in her career as an actress.
Share a story about how you've been cared for or grown in faith as a result of Stephen Ministry. (E-mail, call, write, or fax us with your story ideas.) Please include your name, church name and location, and daytime phone number, in case we need to contact you for more information. (Note: This e-mail address is only for submission of news, stories, and ideas. We cannot respond to individual requests. If you need assistance, please call us at (314) 428-2600, M-F, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Central Time.)
Stephen Ministry in the News
Download recent articles and stories about Stephen Ministry. Documents marked with a "PDF" are in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.
Stephen Ministries Briefs Pentagon Officials
on the H.E.R.O.E.S. Care Program
Stephen Ministries St. Louis is working with Operation Homefront of Missouri, Give-an-Hour, and the Military Spouse Corporate Career Network to offer the H.E.R.O.E.S. (Homefront Enabling Relationships, Opportunities, and Empowerment through Support) Care Program to military service members.
Opportunity for Missouri Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers
Operation Homefront of Missouri is offering two one-day H.E.R.O.E.S. Care Workshops this spring for Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers.
Stephen Leader Starts Stephen Ministry at His New Church
Doug Story, a Stephen Leader in Ohio, recently trained 10 Stephen Ministers in his new church. (PDF)
Stephen Ministry Program Presented at Catholic Seminary
A presentation at an Ohio seminary introduces students to Stephen Ministry.
"I Just Say I'm Here to Listen"
One day a week, Marje Warner travels the halls of Palmetto Health Richland [Hospital] to offer an encouraging spiritual word to patients and their families. . . .
Holy Infant One of Many That Embrace Stephen Ministry
This story, which appeared first in the St. Louis Review, underscores the value of Stephen Ministry for large congregations. It's a great resource both for building awareness and ownership in your own congregation and for spreading the word about Stephen Ministry to others.
Stephen Ministry Trains Angels on Earth
This story, first published on the United Methodist Church Web site, describes the blessings that Stephen Ministry brings to hurting people, to congregations and communities, and to the Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders who are part of this quiet but powerful ministry.
Networking: Blessings from Afar
When Stephen Leader Donna Authers's mother became ill in Florida, Donna worked through Stephen Ministries to find her a Stephen Minister. The Stephen Minister provided great care--and the grace of that relationship returned to bless the Stephen Minister as well.
Twenty Years and Three Generations of Stephen Ministry:
The United Methodist Church of Berea, Ohio
This congregation is celebrating its 20th anniversary of Stephen Ministry this year--and three of their Stephen Ministers have special cause to celebrate! Read how this congregation has found exciting ways for its Stephen Ministers to extend their ministry.
U.S. Army Captain David Rozelle's life changed drastically when a landmine exploded under his Humvee in Iraq in June 2003. Read about his determination as he used his understanding of what an amputee faces--and his Stephen Ministry skills--to help others. (PDF)
"Disasters bring out the best in people," begins Stephen Leader Patricia Canty. Read how Stephen Ministers from First United Methodist Church and First Assembly of God cared for evacuees who fled to Lufkin, Texas, in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, providing both immediate and long-term care--and how they themselves were blessed.
Stephen Ministers and Hurricane Katrina:
The Face of Christ in the Midst of Loss
When disaster strikes, Stephen Ministers are there to help! Read how Stephen Ministry congregations have heard the call and rallied to help those evacuated from New Orleans and other areas ravaged by the hurricane.
How Does Caregiving Fit into Your Congregation's Mission?
Learn how providing Christian care to individuals can strengthen your entire congregation and help accomplish its mission. (PDF)
More and more congregations are celebrating 20+ years of Stephen Ministry. (PDF)
Outreach Ministry Provides One-on-One Support
An article from the Hilltop Times describes how Stephen Ministry is making a difference at Hill Air Force Base in Utah.
Stephen Ministry: Helping Dad Hang On
during Personal Earthquake
A story from the UPC Times about a Stephen Minister caring for a father grieving the death of his infant son. (PDF)
A touching story about one woman finding "an angel on earth" through her Stephen Minister. (PDF)
Stephen Ministry: A New Approach to Pastoral Care
Read an article on Stephen Ministry from Focus on the Family's Focus Over Fifty.
Stephen Ministry Responds to Life's Jagged Lines
Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Tucson, Arizona celebrates their 15th anniversary of Stephen Ministry in their congregation.
Have You Seen a Good Article about Stephen Ministry? If so, fax the article to us at (314) 428-7888 or e-mail us. Be sure to include your name, church name and location, and daytime phone number, in case we need to contact you for more information. (Note: This e-mail address is only for submission of news and stories. We cannot respond to individual requests via e-mail. If you need assistance, please call us at (314)428-2600, M-F, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Central Time.)
Stephen Series Congregation Snapshots
Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix, Arizona
Greensboro Urban Ministry in Greensboro, North Carolina
Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit in Elk Grove Village, Illinois
Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Tucson, Arizona
Saint Jude's Episcopal Church in Niceville, Florida
Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church in Kensington, Maryland
West Side Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis, Missouri
If you'd like us to do a snapshot of your congregation, e-mail us the information. Please include your name, church name and location, and daytime phone number, in case we need to contact you for more information. (Note: This e-mail address is only for submission of news and stories. We cannot respond to individual requests via e-mail. If you need assistance, please call us at 314-428-2600, M-F, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Central Time.)