101 Ways to Help People in Need
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More than a Parting Prayer: Lessons in Care-Giving for the Dying
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God's Love in Action Brochure--Customizable
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God's Love in Action Brochure--Pre-folded
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God's Love in Action Bulletin Inserts--Finding Care Receivers
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Stories about Stephen
Ministry in Action

What Happened That Night
Was True Ministry

It is often said that Stephen Ministers are the "After People". Stephen Ministers come alongside people after the loss of a loved one, after the loss of a job, after life seems to have been broken into a thousand pieces. Sometimes, we find that Stephen Ministers come along during the crisis and minister to those who are hurting. That was the case at a small church in Milford, IN.

In the Spring and Summer a common sound in the Midwestern US is the sound of tornado sirens. One evening in the midst of tornado season, a Stephen Ministry team was conducting a supervision group meeting. Midway through the meeting, the tornado sirens went off, and the entire team went to the church basement to wait until it was safe to come out. Within minutes, there was a knock at the door.

The pastor went to the door and standing there was a family who lived in a trailer just down the road. When they heard the sirens, they ran to the church, because it seemed like a safer place to be than in their trailer. Since they had to run through the rain to get there, they were absolutely drenched. When they came inside, it was clear there was a need for care, so the Stephen Ministers sprang into action.

In the basement there were blankets being collected by the women of the church, which the Stephen Ministers used to cover the soaking wet guests. A couple of the Stephen Ministers found toys for the children and played with them, while some of the other Stephen Ministers talked one-on-one with the adults. Pastor Verne Leininger reflected on that night, saying that he thought, "What we did that night was true ministry, and our Stephen Ministers really helped these people."

When the crisis was over, they all thought that was the last they would see of the family. Much to the church's surprise, the next Sunday, they saw several members of that family in church. They began attending regularly and eventually joined the church. The church continued to minister to the family members who didn’t attend as well. One family member who was in need of frequent trips to the doctor found that her husband couldn't take off work to take her anymore, so the church stepped in and met the need that was left unmet. This little church in Indiana demonstrates the profound impact that Stephen Ministry can have on people; not just on those who receive the care, but on a church who recognizes and meets the needs of their community--they can have true ministry.

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