What is Stephen Ministry?

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.

A Stephen Minister is...

• A child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting
• A congregation member 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 is a need

Stephen Ministers Care for People Facing Tough Times

We all experience challenges in life--times when we could benefit from the support of a caring Christian friend.  Stephen Ministers are ready to provide the emotional and spiritual care we need when faced with a crisis or difficulty such as

Stephen Ministry Featured on PBS

PBS Religion and Ethics television news program recently produced a segment on Stephen Ministries. 
Click here to go to the PBS page and watch the segment.

"Therefore encourage one another and build up each other."  1 Thessalonians 5:11

Could you benefit from the confidential, one-on-one, care of a Stephen Minister?

Do you know someone else who could benefit from Stephen Ministry?

Are you interested in becoming a Stephen Minister?

Contact one of our Stephen Leaders at 330-499-3307:

Pastor "Kip" Smith

Diane Diehl

Judy Forsythe

Rosemarie Millin 

Joe Wonsettler 

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