STEPHEN MINISTRY

The name Stephen comes from Saint Stephen, who was the first lay person commissioned by the apostles to provide caring ministry to those in need (as recorded in Acts 6).

 

BECOME A STEPHEN MINISTER

Becoming a Stephen Minister at JCUMC is a life-transforming experience – an opportunity to serve God, help others and grow in faith.  Stephen Ministers are people like you – caring Christians who want to make a difference in the lives of those going through difficult times.
To learn more please look at this Stephen Ministry webpage - https://www.stephenministries.org/stephenministry/default.cfm/1759 or contact any Stephen Minister.
If you would like more information on training classes or have further questions, please contact Pastor Pam McCurdy or Stephen Leader, Cindy Curtin at dcts1111@att.net

E-mail us if you have questions or if you would like to refer someone to Stephen Ministry

StephenMinistry@JohnsCreekUMC.org  


JCUMC STEPHEN MINISTRY MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Johns Creek United Methodist Church is to make disciples.  In support of that mission, the mission of JCUMC Stephen Ministry is to provide the highest quality, one-on-one, and distinctively Christian care to members of our congregation and to the community who are experiencing a crisis in their life.  JCUMC Stephen Ministry will work with the clergy, the church staff and the church’s other ministries to provide care for God’s people.

 

WHAT IS STEPHEN MINISTRY?

  • A confidential lay caring ministry in which one person reaches out to another's need.
  • A confidential, ongoing, helping relationship focusing on the needs of the individual.
  • A congregational commitment to caring and supporting one another in response to Christ's command "to love one another as I have loved you”.
  • A complete system of training and organization used by many denominations in thousands of congregations throughout the world.

 

STEPHEN MINISTERS CARE FOR PEOPLE FACING...

  • Loss of a loved one
  • Hospitalization
  • Divorce or separation
  • Loneliness or discouragement
  • Spiritual Crisis
  • Unemployment or a job crisis
  • A terminal illness
  • Aging
  • Birth, adoption, miscarriage or infertility
  • A chronic illness
  • Relocation
  • Recovery after an accident or disaster
  • And many more

STEPHEN MINISTRY FACTS AND STATS

More than a million people have been cared for by a Stephen Minister since 1975. Stephen Ministry began in 1975.

The Stephen Series is now in more than 9,000 congregations from more than 100 Christian denominations, in all 50 states, nine Canadian provinces, and 21 other countries. More than 50,000 pastors, church staff, and laypersons have been trained as Stephen Leaders (those who oversee and direct Stephen Ministry in the congregation) at a Stephen Series Leader's Training Course.

More than 450,000 people have trained as Stephen Ministers in their congregations.

More than a million people have received care from a Stephen Minister in a formal one-to-one Stephen Ministry caring relationship, and millions of others have received care from Stephen Ministers in informal ways.

 

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN BECOMING A STEPHEN MINISTER?

A written application
A personal interview
A two-year commitment
Fifty hours of training
Frequent contacts with the care receiver
Twice a month supervision and continuing education
A commitment to confidentiality