Disappointment with God: Three Questions No One Asks Aloud
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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

Steadfast in the Lord

The following testimony was published in a Stephen Ministry congregation's newsletter. It was written by a care receiver in his 50s, who has been wheelchair-bound after a stroke left him partially paralyzed 10 years ago. He is divorced and estranged from his family, and he was discharged by the hospital to a nursing home where "people are sent to die."

My Stephen Minister was first assigned to me after I had been coming to church for more than a year. Since I had already been living in a nursing home for five years, my first thought was, "I wonder how long he will last? Will he be like everybody else and fade away after a few weeks?"

He began visiting with me in August. When November rolled around, he was still coming! December marked the start of a new church year, and he began telling me about the church seasons. After a while, I started asking him questions. I was amazed that an ordinary lay person could know so much about the church. While he did not know all the answers, he continued to impress me because, if he did not know, he would find out and bring me the answer the following week.

One of the best ways to learn is by example, and I have learned a great deal since I began watching my Stephen Minister three years ago. And I am still learning today as he faithfully visits me week after week. Through my Stephen Minister I have learned to be patient. I have learned to love and to trust. I have learned to pray, and I have learned how to worship our God. I have learned the importance of Holy Communion. Most of all, my Stephen Minister has given me the confidence to be close to our Lord. (It makes it a little easier to be a Christian when a caring Christian comes to see you every week.)

Through Stephen Ministry, I have learned the meaning of Christian love and Christian virtue. After years of thinking that nobody cared about me, I know what it means to have somebody who really does care--and keeps on caring, without growing weary of it. And my Stephen Minister was always there for me when I needed him! He was there for me when my mother became ill, and he was still there after she died. He was there when I moved to a new home. In fact, I cannot really recall what life was like when he wasn't there. And I can count on the fact that he'll be there at our visit next Tuesday!

I now am truly beginning to understand what Paul meant when he told the people of the Church at Corinth, "Be ye steadfast in the Lord." That's what Stephen Ministers are--steadfast in the Lord. And with the help of my Stephen Minister, I can be steadfast too.

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