ABOUT Ministries

Everyone goes through difficult times. Having someone to care, to listen and to share God’s love with you, can help get you through the confusion, stress or loneliness you may be experiencing. Stephen Ministry is grounded in Jesus’ command to love one another. Through one-to-one caring relationships, those who are hurting receive the love and care they need to support them.

Now taking applications for Stephen Ministry training. Deadline to apply is Friday, May 31. All applicants are required to go through an interview process with our Stephen Ministry team. 

Training will commence in September, exact dates TBD. 

To Learn more about becoming a Stephen Minister or to receive an application form please email Pastor Melissa.

What is Stephen Ministry?

Our congregation’s Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry, whereby trained and supervised lay people provide one-to-one Christian care to people in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. These difficulties may include:

  • Loss of a loved one
  • Divorce or separation
  • Loneliness or discouragement
  • Spiritual crisis
  • Terminal or chronic illness
  • Unemployment or a job crisis
  • Many other life changes

To inquire about receiving the care of a Stephen Minister for yourself or for someone you know, please contact Pastor Melissa.

How does the referral process work?

  • A person--you, a relative, or a friend--is hurting and in need of Christian care and reaches out to the Pastoral Staff here at MBC
  • If it is determined that Stephen Ministry is a good fit for the person’s situation and with their permission, information is provided to the Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator
  • The Referrals Coordinator meets with the person to talk about Stephen Ministry and the need for care experienced by the person
  • With the person’s permission and prayerful consideration, the Referrals Coordinator assigns a Stephen Minister to regularly meet with the person, usually on a weekly basis
  • The Stephen Minister continues to provide distinctively Christian care for the person with strict confidentiality and under peer supervision

Stephen Ministry Application

 

*Denotes Required Field

Are you willing to commit to serving for a period of no less than two years? This includes:

1) Faithful participation in the initial 50 hours of training
2) Weekly visits (or mutually agreed upon frequency) to your care receiver
3) Monthly participation in small group peer supervision

Please provide the names of two references that we can contact to learn more about your qualifications to serve as a Stephen Minister.

Reference #1

Reference #2

Have you ever received treatment for any emotional or psychiatric problems?
If yes, someone from the Stephen Leader Team will speak with you about this so that the team may better understand its significance in your life and ministry. NOTE: A great many care givers have ben made stronger in their care giving ministry through the care they themselves have received, including care from mental health professionals. Your Stephen Leader Team affirms the work of mental health professionals who have helped many individuals to experience growth and healing. Members of the Stephen Leader Team request this information because they want to be as fully informed as possible about their Stephen Ministers.
Have you ever been charged with a crime?
If yes, explain in detail, using additional paper as needed. Someone from the Stephen Leader Team will speak with you about this so that the team may better understand its significance in your life and ministry.

 

Acknowledgement

I understand that all information provided on this application will be shared with our Stephen Ministry Team. I further understand that Stephen Leaders will be checking with others in the congregation to learn more about my qualifications to serve as a Stephen Minister.

 

Thank You for your interest in Stephen Ministry!