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How to Go On Living When Someone You Love Dies
Price: $15.95
Cries of Faith, Songs of Hope: Prayers for the Times of Our Life
Price: $9.95
The Good Listener
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Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done
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Warm-Ups and Wrap-Ups: 101 Great Ideas for Small Groups
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Stories about Stephen Ministry in Action
A Little Bit of Jesus
At age 28, John thought of himself as invincible. A former high school football player, he was a single man with a good-paying job. He was healthy and was enjoying life. Everything seemed to be going well for him.
But over the course of three years, it all eroded away. First he lost his job when the company he worked for was bought out and the plant closed down. Six months later he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Still without a job, he moved back in with his parents to conserve expenses. A year later his father, with whom he was especially close, died of a heart attack. His mother's deteriorating health declined faster, and she soon entered a nursing home.
"Things had been going so well for me. Then the rug was pulled out from under me. Not just once, but again and again. I felt like there was a big hole in my life," John recalled.
One day, while visiting his mother at the nursing home, John ran into one of the deacons from his church. At the time John saw it as a chance encounter, but looking back he now sees God's hand in it. Reflecting on that seemingly accidental meeting, John said, "I really didn't know him that well, but we struck up a light conversation. I normally keep things to myself, but suddenly I let go and told him everything that was happening."
As it turned out, the deacon was also one of the congregation's Stephen Leaders. He told John about Stephen Ministry and soon matched John with a Stephen Minister named Bob.
"I had second thoughts at first, but I quickly found Bob to be very easy to talk to. He listened to me and understood what I was going through. He offered support and encouragement and really helped me get through some tough times," said John. "One of the biggest 
things I was lacking was self-confidence. By accepting me for who I was and ministering to my needs, Bob helped me regain the confidence I once had."
John began taking computer classes at the community college to gain some new occupational skills. He also became active in a local multiple sclerosis support group. A marginal church member to begin with, he now attends worship regularly and is active in the singles ministry. His life is back on track and he is once again looking forward to the future.
John is convinced that God brought Bob into his life. "He was just what I needed at that time," said John. "We have since closed out our Stephen Ministry relationship, but we still get together from time to time as good friends.
"I want to encourage anyone who has a need to consider a Stephen Minister. They're not there to judge you or tell you what to do. They help you by listening and understanding your needs. They keep things confidential and give you the spiritual support you need to fill whatever the hole in your life may be. It's a lot like the care and acceptance I read about Jesus giving in the Bible. A Stephen Minister has a little bit of Jesus in him."