Stephen Ministry

 … is an international, non-denominational movement for providing one-to-one Christian care to people struggling with major and minor life crises – loss of a loved one, divorce or separation, disability, serious or chronic illness, job loss, loss of home, relocation, and other life challenges (more).  Stephen Ministers ‘walk’ alongside such hurting people as they travel through the difficult time.  Peace Lutheran Church became a Stephen Ministry congregation in 2008.

Our Stephen Ministers are lay caregivers trained to provide such care to members of Peace and others in the greater New Braunfels community.  Each has completed 50 hours of training (more) in providing one-to-one caring ministry to hurting people.  After training, twice-monthly ‘supervision’ meetings include continuing education to hone those skills. 

Each Stephen Minister may be matched with a hurting person (care receiver) with whom they’ll meet regularly.  The Stephen Minister’s primary role is to listen and reflect.  Information exchanged during these meetings is confidential, so care receivers know they can vent freely and share deeply personal feelings.  These meetings normally continue for a year or so, until the Stephen Minister and care receiver agree they are no longer needed. 

If you feel called to become a Stephen Minister, or feel the need for a Stephen Minister, or just to learn more, contact Pastor Jake, Deacon Andrew, Cathi Fain (830-660-4956) or any Stephen Minister (they wear the blue name tags each Sunday).