Stephen Ministry is a program designed to assist the clergy byministering to hurting members of our congregation. The program, named after Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is modeled after Stephen's ministry. The Stephen Minister is not a problem solver, but rather a facilitator who helps one in need work through the problem on their own. The Stephen Minister is a sounding board, a comforter, and encourager. They help people who are working through a variety of problems from death of a loved one, new job, new baby, pregnancy, depression, confusion about their faith - almost anything! If a person can be troubled by it, a Stephen Minister can be there - to listen, encourage, comfort.

Stephen Ministers at Aldersgate pledge themselves to people who are broken in life. These trained lay people are actively involved in ministering to people within the congregation and beyond. Stephen Ministry helps meet the need of individuals who are:

• hospitalized
• terminally ill
• bereaved
• in a job crisis
• new members of a church
• disabled
• homebound
• lonely
• in a spiritual crisis
• looking for a caring, Christian friend
  

How does the referral process work? A person, maybe you, or a friend, is hurting and in need of Christian care. The Referral Coordinators learn about this need from the pastor, the person in need or a friend ( always with the person's permission) and the hurting person is assigned a Stephen Minister who meets with them on a weekly - confidential - basis.

If you are interested speaking with, or investigating the possibilty of becoming a Stephen Minister, contact the church office at 391-0218, or email Pastor Randy. Someone will be in contact with you soon.