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When you or someone you know is in need of care.....Stephen Ministry

What is Stephen Ministry?

Stephen Ministry is grounded in Jesus' command to love one another.  Through one-to-one caring relationships, those who are hurting receive the love and care they need to support them.

  • Is life more than you can handle alone right now?
  • Are your health, your attitude, or your relationships suffering?
  • Are you adjusting to a new job, change in marital status, a serious illness, the death of a love one, a recent move?
  • Would you like to have someone in your life who really cares?

Everyone goes through difficult times. Having someone to care, to listen, to share God's love with you can help you get through the confusion, stress, or loneliness you may be experiencing.  Stephen Ministries is an Interdenominational ministry that exists in over 100 denominations. The name "Stephen Ministries" comes from the book of Acts, Chapter 6 where Stephen was chosen along with six others to minister to the needs of people because "he was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit."

What is a Stephen Minister?

A Stephen Minister is...

  • a child of God who walks beside a hurting person
  • a caring Christian friend who really listens
  • a lay person who has received 50 hours of training in how to

provide distinctively Christian care

A Stephen Minister is NOT...

  • a counselor or therapist
  • a problem-solver
  • a casual visitor

Stephen Ministry helps meet the needs of individuals who are...

  • hospitalized
  • terminally ill
  • bereaved
  • in a job crisis
  • new members of the church
  • disabled
  • homebound
  • lonely
  • in a spiritual crisis
  • looking for a caring, Christian friend

How does a Stephen Ministry referral process work?

  • A person - either you, a relative, or a friend--is hurting and in need of Christian care.
  • The Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator learns about this need for care--from the pastor, the persons, or a friend, always with the person's permission.
  • The Referral Coordinator meets with the person to talk about Stephen Ministry.
  • With the person's permission, the Referrals Coordinator assigns a Stephen Minister to meet on a weekly basis with the person.
  • The Stephen Minister continues to provide distinctively Christian care for the person with strict confidentiality.

 

For more information, contact 

Richard Jacobus
Stephen Leader
(770) 920-9046

Bright Star presently has 5 persons trained as Stephen Ministers. We are presently accepting applications for a second group of trained Stephen Ministers. This is a 2-year commitment with a 50 hour training course. If you have a heart of mercy and compassion, please consider this ministry. You must be willing to make a real endeavor connected with training which requires mandatory reading, note taking, interactive exercises and study.