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Register for a Stephen Ministries 50th Anniversary Celebration and Learning Event!

Village Presbyterian Church in the Kansas City area on April 25th

Founded in 1975, Stephen Ministries is celebrating its 50th year of equipping God’s people for ministry! As part of the celebrations, we’d like to invite you and others to an upcoming event in the Kansas City area.

Featuring Dr. Kenneth Haugk and other teaching faculty from Stephen Ministries St. Louis, this hope-filled, insightful event will look not only back at the past but also into the future—equipping and inspiring you for building a more caring world.

This Celebration and Learning Event is part of a nationwide tour happening across the country throughout 2025 and 2026. To see the full schedule of event locations, click here.

Stephen Ministries 50th Anniversary Celebration and Learning Event
Saturday, April 25, 2026

50th Anniversary Celebration Logo

Village Presbyterian Church
6641 Mission Rd
Prairie Village, Kansas 66208

Check-In, Light Breakfast, Fellowship:
8:00–9:00 a.m.

Morning Presentations:
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

Lunch:
12:00 noon–1:00 p.m.

Afternoon Presentations:
1:00–4:00 p.m.

Who’s Invited?

We’re inviting all those whose lives have been touched by Stephen Ministries. This includes:

  • Past and present Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers

  • Stephen Ministry care receivers

  • Pastors and church staff

  • Givers and recipients of Journeying through Grief

  • Givers and recipients of Cancer—Now What?

  • Participants in The Gift of Empathy and Caring Assertiveness discussion groups

  • Family members and friends of any of the above

We also welcome guests and anyone else passionate about making the world a more caring place.

Schedule of Events

The 50th Anniversary Celebration and Learning Event will feature presentations on a wide range of topics—all filled with encouragement, fellowship, and learning.

Morning Presentations

Community Time

  • Check-In, Light Breakfast, and Fellowship

8:00–9:00 a.m.

Presentation Topics

  • The First Fifty Years: Fun Stories and Memorable Moments

  • What Jesus Teaches Us about Empathy

  • What I’ve Learned about Grief and Relating to Those Who Are Grieving

  • Break and Refreshments

  • Premiere: A Short Video for Promoting Stephen Ministry in Your Congregation

  • Unexpected Ways to Care

  • What’s New and Upcoming at Stephen Ministries: An Expanding Vision for the Next 50 Years

9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
Lunch

Participants can order a box lunch, bring their own lunch, or leave for lunch and return for the afternoon sessions.

During the lunch break, there will also be an optional meeting for those interesting in getting their congregation involved in Stephen Ministry. Further details about this opportunity will be provided on the day of the event.

12:00 noon–1:00 p.m.
Afternoon Presentations

Presentation Topics

  • How Your Congregation Can Help Combat the Mental Health Crisis

  • How to Care for and Relate to Those with Cancer and Their Loved Ones

  • Break

  • How to Support Someone Who Is a Full-Time Caregiver for a Loved One

  • Building a More Caring World Together

1:00–4:00 p.m.

Event Costs

The event, which includes the light breakfast and break refreshments, is $15 per person. An optional box lunch is available for an additional $12 per person. The box lunch typically includes a sandwich, chips, and a dessert. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available.

Register to Attend

You can register to attend the 50th Anniversary Celebration and Learning Event as an individual or a group. To start the registration process, click the button below.

If you’re interested in attending but aren’t ready to register just now, or if you need time to pull a group together, you can sign up to receive emails with additional information about the event.

If you have questions about the event, need assistance with registration, or would like to register by phone, call us at (314) 428-2600.

We look forward to celebrating with you!