Do you desire the personal joy that comes from sharing Christ’s love with people?  Would you like to learn to help others while growing in your understanding of yourself?  Has your “40 Day Journey” created a desire to be intimately involved in a ministry of your own, but just didn’t know how, or where, or with whom?

Stephen Ministry is our congregation’s one-to-one caregiving ministry.  God works through Stephen Ministers to plant a seed of hope and healing in a person whose life seems barren and forlorn because of a crisis or tragedy.  Caring nurtures the seed of God’s love—in the care receiver’s heart, and in yours.  You will not be a problem-solver, but a problem-bearer.  You will walk beside your care receiver, pray for him or her, and help him or her work through life’s difficulties.  Through this ministry God will bring forth new life and renewed faith in both your care receiver and in you, as a Stephen Minister.

As a congregation, please be in regular prayer for this ministry—ask God’s blessing upon it, and the Holy Spirit’s empowerment of all involved and for their commitment to effectively use them.  YOU have a vital role—to see yourselves as the “eyes and ears” of our congregation, and be sensitive to the needs of people in the congregation and community who need the love and care of Jesus Christ.

A training class will begin soon, which includes a total of 50 hours of classroom training, and bimonthly Supervision/Continuing Education sessions.  The average caregiving assignment requires 1 or 2 hours a week, for a period of about 18 months.

In your quiet moments with God, search your heart—if He is calling you to join this ministry, call Bebe Gholston, 679-2117, Anita Juan, 675-0697, Dorothy Waite, 679-2800, or the church office, 679-3579.