Stephen Ministry is a caring connection in which a Care Giver listens to and emotionally supports a Care Receiver during weekly one-hour visits.
Does life feel overwhelming?

Have you experienced or do you expect a loss or transition? You may find the support of a Stephen Ministry Care Giver helpful. Care Givers provide confidential listening and support for as long as needed. They meet one-on-one with their care receivers once a week to listen to, support and pray with them as they cope with a variety of life-challenging situations, such as:
• loss of a loved one
• chronic or terminal illness
• job loss, transition, or retirement
• separation or divorce
• many other life struggles

Is it hard to ask for help?
We’re brought up to be strong, self-sufficient people. We may think that if we ask for help, it is a sign of weakness. However, that’s not God’s plan. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” God wants us to care for others – and allow others to care for us. Our Care Givers are there when you need someone to listen and to care.

Stephen Ministry is Christ caring for people through people.
If you want to try it out, please call the church office at 703-978-8724 or visit our Contact Page and fill out our online contact form.

Are you a future Stephen Ministry Care Giver?  Your help is needed.

Stephen Ministry CareGivers provide confidential, one-on-one, Christ-centered care and support to people experiencing grief, divorce, cancer, job loss, disability, and other life difficulties.  This program has been an important part of St. Stephen’s caring ministries since 2000 and has helped many in our church family.  We are seeking more people to serve others in this way.

The two most important qualifications to become a Stephen Ministry Care Giver are a big heart and the willingness to listen without judgment.  You will attend 30+ hours of interesting, interactive training, reading, discussion and skill practices to fine-tune your techniques and equip you with the knowledge you will need.  You will have a chance to use and strengthen your care-giving gifts in meaningful ministry–serving others while experiencing tremendous spiritual growth.  And the people you care for will no longer suffer alone.

Please talk to or Nancy Dubiell, Dahlia Orleans-Pobee, or Patti Keppler for more information (the church office at 703-978-8724 can give you contact information) or visit our church’s Stephen Ministry webpage.  Then either volunteer to become a Stephen Ministry Care Giver yourself or talk to someone you believe has the right gifts and encourage them to volunteer.  The need is great, and the rewards are many.  Thank you.

How does it work?

A trained Stephen Ministry Care Giver is matched with a person experiencing a life challenge. Assignments are made male to male and female to female. The CareGiver then meets with the Care Receiver once a week for about an hour to listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support. The confidential, caring relationship generally lasts for as long as the care receiver needs care. Each month, Care Givers gather with their Stephen Leaders for confidential supervision and continuing education.
Please watch this 2 minute video for more information.

Who are the Stephen Ministry Care Givers?

Care Givers are church members who have trained for 50 hours to offer high-quality, confidential, one-to-one Christian care to people going through tough times. Care Givers come from all walks of life but share a passion for bringing Christ’s love and care to people during a time of need. Since Stephen Ministry was founded in 1975, more than 13,000 congregations have enrolled, more than 650,000 laypeople have received Stephen Minister training and more than one-and-a-half-million people have had a Care Giver walk with them during tough times.
“Stephen Ministers: The After People” — A concise description of Stephen Ministry Care Givers can be found here. 

Why the name “Stephen”?

In Acts 6, Stephen was chosen to provide caring ministry to those in need. Since the time of the Apostles, caring ministry has been a hallmark of the Christian faith community.

How can I become a Stephen Ministry Care Giver?

If you feel called to a ministry of caring for others and would like to learn more about Stephen Ministry,  please  watch this 7 minute video about Stephen Ministry, then contact a Stephen Leader through the church office by calling 703-978-8724 or visit the Stephen Ministries Headquarters’ website for more information and videos at  www.stephenministries.org.