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, a change in marital status, a serious illness, the death of a loved 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.

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
• Homebound
• Lonely
• In a Spiritual Crisis
• Divorced
• Many other challenges
• Looking for a caring Christian friend

How does the Referrals 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 person, or a friend, always with the person's permission.
• The Referrals 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 card for the person in strict confidentiality.

The Next Step…

To receive more information or seek out the care of a Stephen Minister, please contact the Church Office or Speak to one of the Pastors. They will put you in touch with Stephen Leaders and/or the Referrals Coordinators.

Stephen Ministers Are Called to Be Caregivers…
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2
“Encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone” I Thessalonians 5:14b

God is the Curegiver…
“Cast all your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you.” Psalm 55: 22a
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

How Can I Become A Stephen Minister?

Learn, Grow, and Serve by Becoming a Stephen Minister
Do you have gifts for caring, encouragement, and listening? If so, please prayerfully consider becoming a Stephen Minister. Laurel Hill Bible Church will be training another class of Stephen Ministers in the near future. Stephen Ministers provide emotional and spiritual support and care to people who are going through a difficult time, such as divorce, grief, hospitalization, unemployment, terminal illness, relocation, chronic illness, or loneliness.

To find out more about becoming a Stephen Minister or how you or someone you know could be matched with a Stephen Minister, talk with one of our Stephen Ministry Leaders: Chris Davis, Nancy Wilkers, Kim Clark, Jim Callahan, Pastor Soriano.