CARE For The Hurting

About Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry is a new mission for First Baptist. This will be a one-on-one, peer-led ministry that helps people navigate the difficulties that this life holds. Stephen Ministry offers a proven and effective way to organize, equip, and supervise a team of congregation members - called Stephen Ministers - to provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and the community experiencing life difficulties.

To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. - Ephesians 4:12-13

Who's Involved in Stephen Ministry

Stephen Leaders are church staff, lay leaders, and pastors trained to provide ongoing leadership for their congregation’s Stephen Ministry.

Stephen Ministers are lay congregation members trained to provide one-to-one care to those experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or relocation. Stephen Ministers come from all walks of life, but they all share a passion for bringing Christ’s love and care to people during a time of need.

Stephen Ministers are trained by their congregation’s Stephen Leaders using resources from Stephen Ministries St. Louis. The training they receive in the congregation equips them to provide high-quality care to people who are hurting.

Care receivers are individuals in the congregation or community who are going through a crisis or life difficulty. Potential care receivers first meet with a pastor or Stephen Leader, who assesses their needs for care and matches them with a Stephen Minister. The caring relationship lasts for as long as the need persists.