Stephen Ministry
Love one another as I have loved you. (John 13:34b)
What is the Stephen Ministry?
It is a strategy of training and supervising men and women to provide confidential one-to-one Christian care to individuals who are hurting and struggling in life.
Who is a Stephen Minister?
- A follower of Jesus Christ.
- One who has received an initial 50 hours of training as well as participates in continuing education in aspects of providing care and skill enhancement.
- One who has learned skills and developed his/her gifts to care … support … listen … share … and pray for another individual.
Testimonies from Stephen Ministers at The Orchard
- “Serving as a Stephen Minister has impacted my life as I’ve discovered my relationship with my Lord makes a difference in my care for my care receiver. My prayer life and time in God’s Word is a critical part of care giving.”
- “What an honor to watch, along side another individual, the power of God to change some very difficult situations for His glory.”
- “Even though I am not currently a Stephen Minister, I am so grateful for the training! It is amazing how the Lord has provided me with ways to use the training as I meet hurting people in daily life.”
How do I become a Stephen Minister?
- Individuals interested in becoming a Stephen Minister are asked to submit an application followed by an interview. Training usually begins in September.
- Contact Pris Gault, 847-358-5805, or Elliott Johnson, 847-696-3449.
What kind of needs does a Stephen Minister address? Some examples include:
- Grieving
- Experiencing life-transitions (e.g. vocation)
- Terminally ill
- Separated or in the process of divorce
- Lonely
Testimony from an individual who had a Stephen Minister at The Orchard
“My husband and I were going through a rough time in our marriage and we began marriage counseling. At the same time, I felt the need for someone to come alongside me for support and encouragement. My Stephen Minister did just that. We met once a week over a period of 8 months. She encouraged me to make the changes I knew I needed to make, comforted me in my pain and prayed with me through the struggles.”
Stephen Ministry at The Orchard started in the Fall of 2000. Since then the ministry has trained sixty-nine women and men.
How do I get a Stephen Minister or Recommend a person that needs a Stephen Minister? Contact Linda Pfeiffer, 847-255-2952, or Pastor Bob Warren, 224-764-4013.