What is Stephen Ministry?


Stephen Ministry is a nonprofit Christian educational organization based in St. Louis, Missouri.  Founded in 1975, Stephen Ministries provides training and resources to thousands of congregations and organizations worldwide. Visit them at www.stephenministries.org for more information.
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There are times when you could benefit from the support of a caring Christian friend.  Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry that partners a trained individual with someone experiencing difficulty.  Stephen Ministers are individuals in our congregation that have been trained to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals who are experiencing difficulties in their lives.   The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each caring relationship remains private.  Your Stephen Minister is there to provide the emotional and spiritual care you need when you are facing a crisis or difficulty with things like:
  • Loss of a loved one
  • Divorce or separation
  • Loneliness or discouragement
  • Spiritual Crisis
  • Unemployment or a job crisis
  • Hospitalization
  • An illness
  • Aging
  • Relocation
  • Birth, adoption, miscarriage, or infertility
  • Recovery after an accident or disaster

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
A Stephen Minister is...
  • A child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting
  • A congregation member with the 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.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  –  Galatians 6:2

A Stephen Minister is not...
  • A counselor or therapist
  • A problem solver
  • A casual visitor
  • Someone who runs errands or helps with chores

Connect with Stephen Minister 

​If you or someone you know could benefit from a Stephen Minister please call Katherine Riley at 864-228-5893 or riley_katherine@ymail.com.  A Stephen Leader will contact you to match you with a Stephen Minister. All Stephen Ministry relationships are paired women to women, and men with men.

Who are your Stephen Ministers

  • MJ Burke​
  • Eve Burroughs
  • Katherine Riley
  • Bob Owens
  •  Vivian Howell
  • Nancy Royal 
  • Vernon Meek
  • Lilly Meek
  • Dianne Hanna
  • Mary Melnyk
  • Doris Rink
  • Sarah Erskine
  • Wayne Wingate
  • Nancy Roberts

Becoming a Stephen Minister

Each applicant is carefully selected when they express an interest in becoming a Stephen Minister. Training classes are held each week for 2 ½ hours for 6 months  for a total of 50 hours to instruct you in distinctively Christian caregiving skills.  If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Stephen Minister please contact Katherine Riley at 864-228-5893 or 
​riley_katherine@ymail.com

Support Stephen Ministry 

To sustain this ministry, you can:
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Pray for God to bring hope and healing to hurting people through our Stephen Ministry. Accept care from a Stephen Minister during your time of need. Tell a friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative who is hurting about Stephen Ministry at SUMC. If you are a good listener and a compassionate person, prayerfully consider becoming a Stephen Minister.