Stephen Ministry is First Presbyterian’s congregational one-to-one caregiving ministry. God works through Stephen Ministers to plant a seed of hope and healing in a person whose life seems barren and forlorn because of some crisis or tragedy.
People often ask, “What exactly is a Stephen Minister?” One way to put it is that Stephen Ministers are the After People.
Stephen Ministers are there:
after the phone call you hoped you’d never get.
after the funeral, when everyone has left and the emotions you’ve held at bay come crashing in on you.
after the relationship falls apart and the bottom falls out of your life.
after the doctor says, “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing more we can do.”
after the nursing home director shakes your hand and says, “Welcome to your new home.”
after the last child honks the horn, waves, and drives away—and the house suddenly seems empty.
after the gavel comes down, the handcuffs go on, and your loved one is led away.
after the baby arrives, demanding more of you than you ever dreamed possible.
after you find a pink slip with your final paycheck.
after your family and friends have heard your story one too many times, but you still need to talk it out.
Stephen Ministers are the After People. They are ready to come alongside you—or your friends, neighbors, coworkers, or relatives—and provide comfort and support for as long after as needed.
Stephen Ministers:
- Listen
- Pray
- Explore feelings
- Share Christ’s love
- Maintain confidentiality
- Attend to the care-giving process and leave the results to God
Stephen Ministers care for people who are:
- Grieving
- In crises like family relationships, job losses or military transfers
- In need of long-term care
- Dying
- Hospitalized
- Divorcing
- Experiencing losses as they age
- Going through a crisis of childbirth or adoption
- The family and friends of people in crisis
For more about the Stephen Ministry and to learn more about becoming a Stephen Minister, contact Lorene McBryde at 910-824-9690.
Stephen Minister meetings:
Click here for meeting details on the FPC Calendar.
Feb 5
Mar 12
NO meeting in April
May 7
June 11
NO meeting in July
Aug 13
NO meeting in September
Oct 8
NO meeting in November
Dec 10 Social – TBA
Meetings are Sundays at 3pm in the Stephen Ministry office upstairs, unless we have a speaker. Meetings with speakers will happen in the Chapel.
