What Is Stephen Ministry?

A person's hands form a heart shape against a bright sunset. In the center is the blue logo and text for Stephen Ministry.

Stephen Ministry is a one-to-one Christian lay caregiving ministry in which trained church members walk beside people experiencing crisis, loss, transition, or another difficult season. The ministry’s central conviction is simple: people care, and God brings healing. Stephen Ministers do not try to fix another person. They listen, encourage, pray, and help the care receiver remain connected to the hope of Christ.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

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You are grieving the death of someone you love.

Your are facing cancer, illness, hospitalization, or chronic health concerns.

You are walking through divorce, separation, or relationship strain.

You feel lonely, discouraged, anxious, or overwhelmed.

You have experienced job loss, financial stress, relocation, or retirement.

You ae carrying caregiver fatigue or navigating a major life transition.

Care shaped by Christ's compassion.

Christ-Centered

Care is rooted in prayer, Christian hope, and the love of Jesus Christ.

Confidential

Your relationship is treated with deep respect, safety, and appropriate confidentiality.

One-to-One

Each care receiver is matched with one trained Stephen Minister of the same gender.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is natural to have questions about confidentiality, matching, counseling, cost, training, and what happens after you reach out.

A Stephen Minister is a trained lay caregiver who provides confidential, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to a person going through a difficult season.

Acts 6:1–7 describes Stephen as one of the first laypeople set apart for caring ministry in the early church. In 1975, the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Haugk, an ordained minister and clinical psychologist, used Stephen as the model for a lay caregiving ministry developed in his congregation.

No fee is charged to a person receiving care through the church’s Stephen Ministry.

Care receivers and Stephen Ministers normally meet once each week for about an hour.

Stephen Ministers complete approximately 50 hours of training in Christian caregiving skills and then participate in continuing education and supervision.

Yes. Confidentiality is a foundational commitment. Final website wording should also explain legally or ethically required safety exceptions.

Men are matched with male Stephen Ministers, and women are matched with female Stephen Ministers.

Examples include grief, divorce, illness, cancer, hospitalization, job loss, relocation, loneliness, spiritual struggle, financial stress, caregiver fatigue, and major life transitions.