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Stephen Ministry

Compassionate Hearts, Listening Ears, Christ-Centered Support

Image by Jack Sharp

Spread Hope & Care as a Stephen Minister

Have you ever felt called to offer personal, compassionate care to those navigating tough times? As a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church community, do you feel inspired to support others through listening, encouraging, and praying? If you’re a caring individual ready to make a difference, consider becoming a Stephen Minister!

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​Get in touch with our Stephen Ministry Team Coordinators to discover more about this exceptional care opportunity.

Stephen Ministry: Be the Presence of Christ

What Is Stephen Ministry?

Stephen Ministry provides an effective way to organize, equip, and supervise a team of congregation members—called Stephen Ministers—to offer high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in our community facing life's challenges.

 

As a ministry of presence, Stephen Ministry supports others and helps bridge the path to healing and freedom. Training to become a Stephen Minister equips you with the tools to walk alongside others through difficult times, health struggles, life changes, or the loss of a loved one. Join us and discover what it means to be a compassionate support to others.

Who’s Involved in Stephen Ministry?

Stephen Leaders, including church staff, lay leaders, and pastors, receive specialized training through the Bridge Leader’s Training Course offered by Stephen Ministries St. Louis. This equips them to provide ongoing leadership for our congregation’s Stephen Ministry.

Stephen Ministers, trained by these leaders, are congregation members dedicated to offering compassionate care to those who are hurting. Each Stephen Minister typically supports one care receiver at a time, meeting weekly for about an hour.

Care receivers are individuals within our congregation or community facing crises or life difficulties. They first meet with a pastor or Stephen Leader, who assesses their needs and matches them with a Stephen Minister. The caring relationship continues for as long as needed.

Image by Samuel Branch

“On the Front Lines of Care”

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The story of an Army captain who lost his foot in an explosion in Iraq trained as a Stephen Minister, and later returned to Iraq better equipped to care for the soldiers under his command.

Become a Stephen Minister and Share Your Compassion

Join us in this ministry of presence and help bridge the path to healing and hope.

Are you a compassionate and good listener? Consider becoming a Stephen Minister! For training opportunities, contact Tim Ness.

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Our Stephen Ministry leaders, Tim Ness, Ryan Young, and Joe Young, have received additional specialized training and are certified by Stephen Ministry International. Join our team and make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

In Need of Care? We're Here for You.

If you need support, please continue to check-in or reach out to one of our compassionate pastors. As our Stephen Ministries program develops, we remain committed to providing the Christ-centered care you need.

  • Is a Stephen Minister an ordained minister?
    A Stephen Minister, also known as a lay minister, is a member of the congregation who has undergone over 50 hours of specialized training. They are equipped to provide ministry and support to others with Christian love.
  • What does a Stephen Minister do?
    Each week, a Stephen Minister meets one-on-one with you. They listen to you, pray for you, pray with you if you wish, encourage you, and comfort you. They give you their undivided time and attention and always treat you with dignity and respect. A Stephen Minister is someone who truly cares about you.
  • What Types of Needs Does Stephen Ministry Serve?
    Stephen Ministry provides emotional and spiritual care for individuals dealing with various life challenges such as loss, grief, life transitions, illness, and spiritual fatigue. People seek Stephen Ministers for support during difficult times. Ministry needs that Stephen Ministers could meet might include: Grief A major medical crisis Job loss Divorce, break-up, broken relationship Pregnancy, birth, post-birth challenges Infertility, miscarriage Family caregiver stress End of life, hospice Long-term illness, chronic condition, disability Financial difficulties Major life transition (relocation, blended family, empty nest, retirement) Military deployment of a loved one The aftermath of a natural or human-caused disaster
  • How will I be supported as a Stephen Minister?
    All Stephen Ministers meet in small groups once a month. During these meetings, there is an opportunity to have a facilitator-led confidential discussion about how you are feeling regarding your caring relationship. This is a time to talk about any challenges or issues you may be experiencing and receive input and prayer support from others in your group. Several times a year, continuing education is offered during the monthly meetings.
  • Do you have to be a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church to have a HCLC Stephen Minister?
    No, anyone in need can have a Stephen Minister.
  • More about Stephen Ministry
    For more frequently asked questions, click here. Click here to find out more about the Stephen Ministries organization.
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