Interested in Becoming a Stephen Minister?

Some Facts about the Stephen Ministry

The Name: The name comes from Acts 6:3-6.
“Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

Statistics: Congregations: More than 7,000 congregations representing more than 90 Christian denominations are currently enrolled. These congregations come from all 50 states, 9 Canadian provinces and 20 other countries.

Trained Ministers: More than 37,000 individuals [pastors, church staff, and laypersons] have been trained as Stephen Leaders at weeklong Leaders’ Training Courses. These Stephen Leaders have returned to their congregations and trained over 300,000 laypersons to be Stephen Ministers. It is estimated that over the past 30 years, Stephen Ministers have provided distinctly Christian care to well over half a million people through formalized one-to-one caring relationships and have used their care giving skills to touch the lives of millions of others in informal ways.

The Logo: The logo that enrolled Stephen Ministry congregations use consists of a cross and a circle, together with a less-than-whole person and a whole person. The person standing behind the cross symbolizes some brokenness in our lives. The whole person stands in front of the cross because it is through the cross of Jesus that we are made complete. The circle symbolizes both the wholeness we receive through Jesus Christ and God’s unending love for us.

Who serves?: Laypersons from Hope Church have received 50 hours of training to give distinctly Christian care and to come alongside a brother or sister in need for part of their journey. Our Stephen Ministers seek to serve within the Hope Church family, wherever the pastors see a need for this type of service. In addition to the initial 50 hours of training, all Stephen Ministers receive on-going supervision and continuing education twice a month. A Stephen Minister is commissioned for two years of service.

At the present time active Stephen Ministers at Hope Church are: Oliver & Juanita Bailey, Sarah Barton, Greg Bly, Mike Brown, Sandy Burns, Joanne Costello, Ellie Helfer, Yvonne Fordham, Sue Le Doux, Jan Gregoire, Fritz Lucas, Hank Przyklek, Carol Schultz, Barbara Syracuse, Liz Thomas, Jon Trottier, Bill Webster, Sharon Webster, Valerie Youngman and Mike Raha, Stephen Ministry Leader.

Who is served?: Anyone who feels that a Stephen Minister from our Hope Church family would be helpful can approach a pastor and request a Stephen Minister for himself or herself or for someone else. This ministry is available to all adults who are members or attendees of Hope Church. You are encouraged to explore this possibility with a pastor, an Elder, or a commissioned Stephen Minister if you think there is a need. If you have any questions about any aspect of the Stephen Ministry, please call Mike Raha, Stephen Leader, at 225-0534 or email him at stephenministry@sharethehope.org.