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Stephen Ministry

Yorkminster Presbyterian Church participates in Stephen Ministry. In Stephen Ministry congregations, highly trained lay caregivers called Stephen Ministers provide one-to-one Christian care to those facing a crisis or life challenge. Situations may include bereavement, hospitalization, separation/divorce, unemployment, and relocation. Stephen Ministers provide quality caring for as long as necessary. Stephen Ministers are not just available to Yorkminster members but to visitors, family, neighbors and friends - including friends we’ve yet to meet.

Who Benefits from Stephen Ministry?

People Who Need Care . . .

  • 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


The Entire Congregation . . .

  • Discovers that many members want to be involved in meaningful ministry and will respond to the call to become a Stephen Minister or Stephen Leader

  • Becomes a more loving community that is more sensitive and responsive to people's needs for care

  • Is able to provide more quality Christian care, so that fewer people slip through the cracks

  • Sees itself as not only being served by the pastor, but as a caring body of believers actively involved in serving one another in love

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Yorkminster's Stephen Ministry Mission Statement

Stephen Ministers are rooted and grounded in personal faith in Jesus Christ. They are called to share His love with others by creating an environment of acceptance to facilitate listening to those who have a need. Stephen Ministers will personally commit to seeking the will of God by participating in ongoing training, by being non-judgmental listeners, by growing in an awareness of the needs of others, and by offering God's love as He brings healing. We believe that this ministry comes from God, is established in Christ and is guided by confidentiality, love, respect, trust, compassion and commitment.

How do I know if I need a Stephen Minister?

​We all face challenges in our lives. Some we cope with easier than others. Are you facing one of life's difficult challenges? A death in the family, divorce, loss of a job, relocation? If you think you would benefit from having someone visit with you, once a week, listen to you, encourage you and pray for you, then request a Stephen Minister. A Stephen Leader will contact you and then assign you a Stephen Minister. Everything you say to your Stephen Minister is strictly confidential - no one else will "know your business."

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I would like to be a Stephen Minister.

If you feel called to be a friend in Christ to those who are hurting, you must complete an application and be interviewed by some/all of the Stephen Leaders. Stephen Ministers must be carefully selected. You must agree to attend 50 hours of training—usually held every Tuesday night, September through January. Training includes at least one half-day retreat. Your life will be blessed by this experience. If you are interested, please email us or call the church office.

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I would like to be a Stephen Leader.

If you feel called to help lead our Stephen Ministry, please email us or call the church office. You will be interviewed by a panel comprised of Stephen Leaders and Pastoral staff. Stephen Leadership is not for everyone and we believe in the Stephen Ministry process of carefully selecting Stephen Leaders. In addition, you must attend a week-long Stephen Ministry Leadership Training Conference led by Stephen Ministries, St. Louis.

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I have a prayer request.

We will be happy to hold you up in prayer. Please email your prayer request to us. If you have any other questions or want to learn more, please call the church office at 757-898-4972.

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