What is Stephen Ministry?

RBC provides trained, commissioned, and supervised members of our congregation to provide one-to-one Christian care to persons in need. Stephen Ministers, named after the world wide ministry (www.stephenministries.org), typically are assigned one care receiver at a time and meet with that person for about one hour each week. Stephen Ministers usually serve for two years, which includes an initial 50 hours of training followed by twice-monthly supervision and continuing education sessions.

A person experiencing a life crisis or challenge will receive the caring ministry of a Stephen Minister. The needs of care receivers may include divorce, loss of a loved one, hospitalization, terminal illness, loneliness, relocation, unemployment, retirement, empty nest, and other life transitions.

People who need care will…

· Receive quality, Christ-centered, confidential care for their hurts and needs.

· Find hope, healing, and a new sense of self-worth through the support of a Stephen Minister. Know they are remembered and supported by their congregation in times of personal difficulty.

· Receive ongoing care for continuing needs long after the onset of a crisis, when many others have forgotten about them.

· Grow in a deeper relationship with their Lord as they experience God's unconditional love for them through their Stephen Minister.