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.

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 there is a need

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 Village Church, or send her a confidential email.