Stephen Ministry - A Ministry of Caring

Photographs from Stephen Series pamphlet from Stephen Ministries, St. Louis, Missouri

Stephen Ministry is a program that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one-to one care to those who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances, both in our congregation and community.

Mission Statement

Stephen Ministry enhances the outreach of St. Mark's both in our congregation and in the community, through a program that equips lay people to share Christ's love by providing distinctively Christian one-on-one care to those who are suffering due to the challenges and difficulties of life.

Stephen Ministry has been an active part of St. Mark's since 2001. In that year, Pastor Fred Melton, Bobbie Dukes, and Cliff Smith were trained as the first leaders. They trained the first group of Stephen Ministers in January of 2002. Another group completed training in 2004.

Please take the time to review the Care Books in the display rack by the narthex coat room for any that may be beneficial for you or others of whom you are aware.

Learn more about Stephen Ministries.

Meet our Stephen Leaders and Ministers.

Lion Article for May 2008

Lion Article for April 2008

Lion Article for March 2008

Lion Article for February 2008

Stephen Ministry Program Needs Your Help

Are you or someone you know:

                  going through a divorce?
                  grieving for a loved one?
                  experiencing illness?
                  caring for, or the primary support person for some one who is ill?

If you have answered yes to any of the questions, perhaps a Stephen Minister is the answer to your prayer or that of a friend.

Who can decide whether this is right for you or not?

You will make the decision. However, Pastor Fred and/or Bobbie Dukes, the Assistant Referrals Coordinator, will guide you and tell you more about the program. They will assess your needs and ask if you are willing to have a Stephen Minister who would meet with you on a regular basis to be there to listen and pray with and for you, and to help you through the tough times.

How do you know you can trust a Stephen Minister?

Trust is essential to a caring relationship, and Stephen Ministers are people you can trust. Confidentiality is one of the most important principles of Stephen Ministry, and what a care receiver tells his or her Stephen Minister is kept in strictest confidence.
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We are blessed to have the continued support of the congregation for our Stephen Ministry program. We need the help of all members of the church to identify those who may benefit from this one-on-one ministry. Please continue your prayers for people receiving care, as well as for the Stephen Ministers who give the care.

How do people come to receive a Stephen Minister?

You may be wondering how people come to receive a Stephen Minister. It can happen in a number of ways. Pastor Fred may determine that the ministry would benefit someone. Friends or family can also make referrals if they know someone who has experienced a loss, who may be in a crisis situation, is lonely or ill. Pastor will evaluate the situation and determine if the care of a Stephen Minister is appropriate. If so, he will contact the person (called a care receiver) and ask if they are open to receiving this special lay ministry. Confidentiality is the cornerstone of Stephen Ministry, so no one finds out what is discussed with the Stephen Minister.

To learn how a Stephen Minister could walk with you during your time of need……call 764-7488

We ask that you continue to share in this ministry by praying for all of our Stephen Ministers and for their care receivers as well as becoming aware of those who might need this confidential, caring ministry and making a referral. Pastor Fred or any of the Stephen Ministers or Leaders will be glad to hear from you.

Yours in Christ,
Your Stephen Leader Team:

Roberta Dukes, Cliff Smith, Barbara Sheridan, Annette Friday, Pastor Fred

Stephen Ministry is…

A program of our congregation that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one-to-one care to those who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances, both in our congregation and community.

* express God's care through their lives to others;
* receive 50 hours of initial training in important caring ministry skills and concepts;
* are commissioned as Stephen Ministers after completing their initial training;
* visit another person regularly and dependably and offer Christian support and care;
* participate in regular support and supervision under the guidance of trained Stephen Leaders;
* are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship;
* serve for at least two years;
* receive continuing education and skill building throughout their years of service.

There are times when each of us needs the care of an other person, a Christian friend, a Stephen Minister! These needs include but are not limited to. .

Stephen Ministry is confidential ministry:

Those receiving care can be sure that their identity and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain private.

Information from Stephen Series pamphlet from Stephen Ministries, St. Louis, Missouri

Our Stephen Leaders

Bobbie Dukes
Cliff Smith
Pastor Fred Melton
Annette Friday
Barbara Sheridan

Our Stephen Ministers