With the completion of the most recent wave of Stephen Leader’s Training Course cohorts, Stephen Ministry has reached a major milestone:

80,000 lay leaders, pastors, and church staff have been trained as Stephen Leaders!

Stephen Leaders are the lay leaders, pastors, and church staff who direct their congregation’s Stephen Ministry, organizing and training members to serve as Stephen Ministers. The 80,000 represent nearly 14,000 congregations from around the US, Canada, and 30 other countries, as well as over 180 Christian denominations.

To celebrate this ministry milestone, we talked with a number of Stephen Leaders to hear about their experiences with Stephen Ministry, the difference it is making in their congregations and communities, and their passion for bringing Christ’s healing love to all who are hurting.

“It’s absolutely incredible to be part of a legacy that was started so many years ago, to have my own part in this ministry as one of 80,000 Stephen Leaders. We are called to be disciples, and Stephen Ministry helps us to serve people as the hands and feet of Jesus.

“Since the pandemic, we’re seeing many more people in crisis much more frequently. This is such an important ministry, and we are going to see the need for Stephen Ministry continue to grow. I’m excited by the way it will help us change lives—for both our care receivers and our Stephen Ministers.”

“As long as we have people in our churches, we’ll have a need for care. What I love about Stephen Ministry as a pastor is that it gives us a system to provide great Christian care to people in various places in life. Churches can’t afford to hire enough pastors or staff to do all the caring that needs to be done, so it’s truly a blessing to have laypeople get involved and equipped through Stephen Ministry. It fits so well with what our church is about as an extension of our pastoral ministry.

“I think reaching 80,000 Stephen Leaders speaks to God’s hand in this ministry. Why reinvent the wheel when you could get a proven system like Stephen Ministry? It’s well worth it for your church, because having trained lay caregivers available for people in crisis shows that you really care.”

“I’m really thankful for the privilege and opportunity to join Stephen Ministry because it has really helped our church. We’re located on the West Coast, and our community includes many immigrants, including a lot of people from younger generations with new families who are facing all kinds of challenges.

“Even as a small church of around 100 members, we have so many people coming to us seeking help. Before, we didn’t always know the best way to help, but the guidance and training of Stephen Ministry has equipped our team to assist our pastor and help people get through the difficulties they are facing. It’s exciting that we can make a positive impact on our community in this way.”

“After getting my master’s in psychology and doctorate in pastoral theology, I wanted to help train people in the church to better identify those in need and get them the proper kind of care. You don’t know how pleased I was to find out about Stephen Ministry—which had existed for many years and did exactly what I wanted to do!

“Here in Puerto Rico, many of our pastors are really worn out and experiencing compassion fatigue. Without extra help, there is no way churches can survive. Stephen Ministry is a resource to help confront this challenge. Having Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders in a church lifts a huge amount of the burden pastors are carrying.”

“Stephen Ministry is one of the most meaningful things in my life. Watching what it has done for people in our congregation, not just for those who were hurting but also for our Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders, has been incredible. It has lifted our whole congregation because of the emphasis on caring for one another. People are more in touch and more involved in each other’s lives.

“Stephen Ministry teaches you to really listen and truly understand others. With all the tension and misunderstanding we see today, that is profound. These are life skills that go beyond any single ministry to help you live fully as a Christian in our world.”

A lot has changed since the first 31 Stephen Leaders were trained back in 1978. What hasn’t changed, though, is the amazing ways God works through those who take on the vital role of leading Stephen Ministry in congregations around the world. When I think about how the faithful ministry of Stephen Leaders has equipped hundreds of thousands of Stephen Ministers and connected millions of people with Christ’s healing love, I am in awe.

Praise the Lord for all he has done—and will continue to do—through these 80,000 Stephen Leaders and those who will follow in their footsteps!

Rev. Kenneth C. Haugk, Ph.D.
Founder and Executive Director | Stephen Ministries