What is Stephen Ministry?

First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg equips laypeople (a congregation member) to provide one-to-one Christian care to people in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives.

Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry. The identify of those receiving care and everything they discuss with a Stephen Minister remains private.

A Stephen Minister is…

  • A child of God who walks beside someone who is hurting.
  • A congregation member who is carefully selected to serve in this role because of his or her caregiving gifts.
  • A lay person with 50 hours of training in providing high-quality, distinctively Christian care.
  • A caring Christian friend who listens, cares, pray, supports, and encourages.
  • Someone who meets faithfully each week with his or her care receiver for as long as there’s a need.
Stephen Ministry logo
Stephen Ministry brochure cover

Stephen Ministers Care for People Facing Tough Times

We all experience challenges in life – times when we could benefit from care and support. Stephen Ministers can provide the emotional and spiritual care we need when faced with a crisis or difficulty such as:

  • Loss of a loved one
  • Hospitalization
  • Divorce or separation
  • Loneliness or discouragement
  • Spiritual crisis
  • Unemployment or a job crisis
  • A terminal illness
  • Incarceration
  • Aging
  • Birth, adoption, miscarriage, or infertility
  • A chronic illness
  • Relocation
  • Recovery after an accident or disaster
  • Many other life challenges

If you or someone you know could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister, please contact our church office and ask for a referral to Pastor Bob or Stephen Leaders Joyce and Bill Potter.