Ministries & Programs
Stephen Ministry
The Stephen Ministry program at Village Church 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.
Read the Stephen Ministry quarterly newsletter.
What is a Stephen Minister?
- A child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting
- A congregation member with gifts for care giving, who was carefully selected to serve in this role
- A lay person who 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
2012 Stephen Ministry Class
The new class of ten Stephen Ministers began their 50-hour training September 7. Please welcome them at your earliest convenience. They are: front row (L to R): Ann Bohrn-Wymore, Marilyn Pattison, Amy Case, Helen Taliaferro, Claire Brettell; back row: Jack Foster, Bob Philippi, Don Baird, Tom Brown, Michael Waterford.
What does a Stephen Minister do?
Stephen Ministers care for people facing tough times. They are ready to provide the emotional and spiritual care needed when we are faced with one of life’s crises or difficulties, such as:
- Loss of a loved one
- Loneliness or discouragement
- Birth, adoption, miscarriage, or infertility
- Accident or accident recovery
- Chronic or terminal illness
- Unemployment or job crisis
- Divorce or separation
- Spiritual crises
- Aging
- Hospitalization
- Relocation
If you think you might need a Stephen Minister, please call Rev. Meg Peery McLaughlin, Pastor of Pastoral Care, 913.671.2369. at the church, or send her a confidential e-mail.