A Stephen Minister is

• Someone who cares
• Someone who listens
• Someone who shares
• Someone who supports

Stephen Ministers

• Are caregivers, ready to care for you
• Are the After People (click on the highlighted text for details)
• Believe God is the Curegiver
• Commit to providing strictly confidential distinctively Christian caregiving
• Receive 50 hours of initial formal training and ongoing supervision and training

A Stephen Minister is not

• A therapist, social worker, or counselor
• A problem-solver
• A casual visitor or social friend
• A housekeeper or errand-runner
• An expert in law, finance, or doctrine

What is the Stephen Ministry?

The Stephen Ministry is a lay ministry of love and commitment.

Like Stephen, the Apostle of the early Christian church, sent to minister to the needy, Stephen Ministers are lay people at our church, trained to listen and provide care to those with ongoing needs.

River Road Church commissions its Stephen Ministers once they have completed 50 hours of training as distinctively Christian caregivers and have pledged confidentiality in all matters pertaining to their caregiving.

Stephen Ministers receive ongoing training and supervision as they are caregivers.

The Stephen Ministry training program is interdenominational; started by a Lutheran Minister; thousands of devoted Christian lay people have been selected, trained, and supervised as Stephen Ministers throughout the United States, Canada, and the world.

You are invited to become a part of this Mission by:

• Praying for those who need Christian care
• Praying for our Stephen Ministers
• Seeking a Stephen Minister when you or someone you know needs care
• or consider becoming a trained Stephen Minister

Stephen Ministers can help those who are

• Hospitalized
• Seriously or terminally ill
• Bereaved, having lost a loved one
• Disabled
• New members of the church
• New parents
• Divorced or separated
• Homebound
• Lonely
• In a job crisis
• In a financial crisis
• In a spiritual crisis
• Experiencing any discouragement or challenge and looking for a caring Christian friend

Encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
—1 Thessalonians 5:14b

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
—Galatians 6:2

River Road's Stephen Ministry Mission Statement

The mission of Stephen Ministry is to proclaim through word and deed
the Gospel of Jesus Christ by nurturing, edifying, educating, and equipping River Road Church members who are called, gifted, trained, and sent to be distinctively Christian Caregivers to church members in need.

How the referral process works

• You, a relative, or a friend talks to a Minister about a need.
• The Minister will talk to the potential care receiver.
• If appropriate, the Minister will alert the Stephen Ministry Coordinator.
• With the care receiver's permission, a Stephen Minister will be assigned to meet with the care receiver once a week for approximately one hour.
• The Stephen Minister will provide distinctively Christian care to the care receiver in strict confidentiality.

For more information or a confidential referral, please contact the church.