First Reformed Church
Stephen Ministry
The purpose of the Stephen Ministry is to provide one on one care to those people in our congregation and community who are going through difficult times. We are a staff of lay ministers who have undergone a minimum of 50 hours of training.
Purpose
The purpose of the Stephen Ministry of Mitchell’s First Reformed Church is to provide one on one care to those people in our congregation and community who are going through difficult times with a staff of lay ministers who have undergone a minimum of 50 hours of training.
We strive to fulfill the law of Christ in serving the people of our area with personal, spiritual, and emotional support during their difficult times. Briefly stated our purpose is bringing God’s healing love to people in need.
Who we are
We are local team affiliated with Stephen Ministry of St. Louis, a worldwide network committed to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care and support to people experiencing grief, divorce, cancer, job loss, loneliness, disability, relocation, and other of life’s difficulties.
Should you wish to find out more about Stephen Ministry of St. Louis, please click on this link www.stephenministries.org. Our team is made up of lay people from our congregation who have been trained as ministers and leaders in Stephen Ministry.
Training
Each of the members of the leadership team has undergone a minimum of 50 hours of training by the Stephen Ministry of St. Louis group to be qualified to lead the local ministry. Each of the Stephen Minister team has undergone a minimum of 50 hours of training to give them insights into Christ-centered care, confidentiality, listening skills, and relationship building.
After the initial 50 hours of training each minister agrees to participate in additional training, support and supervision. A continuing education class is currently being held the second Tuesday of each month.
Care Team
In addition to our Stephen Ministers we have incorporated a group of individuals who have gifts of pastoring, hospitality, intercession and mercy to help support the needs of our congregation. These volunteers are committed to serving the needs of our congregation, but haven’t completed the intensive training of a Stephen Minister.
Referrals
Our Stephen Ministry is dependent on you. If you know of someone going through a difficult time, for whatever reason, please contact us to allow us to help you through the referral process. You may do so by the following link, or by contacting one of our pastors.
Information
If this ministry attracts you as it has attracted us, and you would like to know more or are interested in becoming a part of our care team or Stephen Minister team, please e-mail stephenministry@mitchelltelecom.net.