What is Stephen Ministry at Christ's Hope?

Our congregation's Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives.

'Stephen Ministries - St. Louis' supports our congregation's Stephen Ministry. Stephen Ministries is a not-for-profit Christian educational organization based in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1975, Stephen Ministries provides training and resources to thousands of congregations and organizations worldwide.

A Stephen Minister is...

• A child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting.
• A congregation partner with gifts for caregiving who was carefully selected to serve in this role.
• A lay person who has received 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care.
• A caring, Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages.
• Someone who will "be there" for his or her care receiver, meeting faithfully for about an hour each week, for as long as there's a need.
• Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry:  The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each caring relationship remains private.
  
  

"Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2