Stephen Ministry

A Life-Changing Experience for the Care Receiver

Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting.

Stephen Ministers have cared for over one-and-a-half million people in one-to-one caring relationships—and they have touched countless more with compassionate understanding and encouragement.

A Stephen Minister will walk alongside you in difficult times. It's confidential and free.

 
“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”
— Galatians 6:2, NRSV
 

Are you interested in receiving care or support from a Stephen Minister?

 

or call 781-762-3320 for information

We’re beginning a new chapter for the Stephen Ministry program at FCC Norwood. Where have we come from over the years?

-        June 2018- Pastor Michele and Sheila Lockwood were trained to be Stephen Leaders.

-        January 2019- Leah Robertson was trained to be a Stephen Leader.

-        September 2019- our first Stephen Ministry training began.

-        January 2020- Desley Boardman, Keith Esthimer, Joe Hansjon, and Nancy St. Laurent were commissioned as Stephen Ministers.

-        Since then, Care Receivers have been matched with our Stephen Ministers and received God’s healing love through this program.

-        December 2021- Keith Esthimer completed training to become a Stephen Leader and was commissioned.

- September 2022 -Keith and Sheila start a new training with 4 new Stephen Minister trainees while continuing the education and support to our 3 current ministers.

- May 2023-Denise Begley, Jeanne Mahanna, Ken Lindgren and Nancy Demattia were commissioned as our newest Stephen Ministers.

- January 2024- Chris Varney applies to attend Stephen Ministry trainings as a Stephen Leader.

 

Who could benefit from a Stephen Minister?

Stephen Ministry is appropriate for people experiencing:

  • grief

  • divorce

  • cancer

  • hospitalization

  • physical rehabilitation

  • long-term care

  • chronic illness

  • terminal illness

  • job loss

  • loss of a home

  • military deployment

  • the onset of a disability

  • spiritual crisis

  • or other life struggles

 
 

Receiving Care

Care receivers are people—congregation members and others in the community—who receive care from a Stephen Minister. These are people struggling through a difficult time in life—experiencing grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or some other life crisis.

  • The relationship between a care receiver and a Stephen Minister is confidential.

  • Men are matched with men; women with women.

Watch video stories of people describing the life-changing care they received from a Stephen Minister.

 

What Is a Stephen Minister?

Stephen Ministers are laypeople—Christian men and women—trained to provide one-to-one care to people experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, relocation, or separation due to military deployment.

Stephen Ministers come from all walks of life. Their commonality? A passion for bringing Christ’s love and care to people during a time of need.

Learn More about Stephen Ministers.

 

speak with our Stephen Ministry Leaders to learn more about Stephen Ministry.

 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

+ What is the Stephen Ministries organization?

Stephen Ministries is a not-for-profit Christian education organization founded in 1975. Our staff of 40 carry out our mission to “equip God’s people for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12). Helping congregations get involved in the Stephen Series is a major way we accomplish this mission.

Read more about the history of Stephen Ministries .

Find out about our mission and ministry .

+ How many congregations have Stephen Minstery?

More than 13,000 congregations have Stephen Ministry—representing over 180 denominations, all 50 states, all 10 Canadian provinces, and 30 other countries, have Stephen Ministry. Many of these congregations have had Stephen Ministry going for more than 30 years.

See more facts and stats about Stephen Ministry.

+ Why the name Stephen?

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

+ What are Stephen Leaders?

Stephen Leaders are the pastors, other church staff members, and lay leaders who are equipped to direct Stephen Ministry in their congregation. Stephen Leaders have gifts and skills in areas such as leadership, teaching, and organizing people, along with a heart for caring ministry.

+ What are Stephen Ministers?

Stephen Ministers are laypeople trained to provide one-to-one Christ-centered care. They have a compassionate heart for those who are hurting, and they’ve been equipped with caring ministry skills by their congregation’s Stephen Leaders. A Stephen Minister typically has one care receiver at a time and meets with that person once a week to listen, care, pray, encourage, and offer emotional and spiritual support.

Find out more about what a Stephen Minister is.

+ Do Stephen Ministers provide care for people outside the congregation?

Yes. Stephen Ministers often provide care for people in the broader community, enhancing and expanding a congregation’s outreach in a powerful way.