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Experiencing a Crisis? Need Help?
We care. Immanuel has trained over 30 people known as Stephen Ministers (after the Apostle Stephen). These people have taken a 50-hour training course to be prepared and able to come alongside individuals who are dealing with a challenging life crisis, such as:
- the loss of a loved one
- hospitalization
- depression
- loneliness
- divorce
- loss of a job
These care-givers meet with their care-receivers and provide distinctively Christian care through active listening, empathy, prayer and companionship.
What can you expect?
Each Stephen Minister will contact the individual, usually from a reference by one of the Pastoral Staff, or a direct request from the individual in need. Meetings are set up either weekly or bi-weekly for the Stephen Minister to provide care for the duration of the crisis.
What about confidentiality?
The Stephen Ministers maintain a high level of confidentiality in protecting the identity of their care receivers. Every three weeks all Stephen Ministers are involved in small-group supervision sessions led by the Stephen Leaders. The names of those in care are never revealed, even in these sessions. The focus instead is on how to improve the nature of the caring relationship so that Christ’s healing touch may be evident to the individual in need.
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What if I want a Stephen Minister?
Referrals are usually made through Pastor Bruce who will assess what the most appropriate kind of care might be needed, and if it should be met by a Stephen Minister or in some other way. This ministry augments other caring ministries, such as the Congregational Care Committee, or counseling care provided by the pastors, to provide a continuum of care according to the severity of need.
Stephen Ministers make a commitment to serve for a two-year term, after which they may choose to take a sabbatical. They take no credit for the positive changes they see in the lives of their care receivers. They say that they provide the care, but God provides the "cure".
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