Stephen Ministry

Founded in 1975 by Dr. Kenneth C. Haugk, a pastor and clinical psychologist, Stephen Ministries is a not-for-profit religious organization based in St. Louis, Missouri. Over the last 30+ years, Stephen Ministries has developed an effective and useful system for training and deploying Christian caregivers throughout the congregation and the community.

In 2007, our church voted to become one of 9,635 Stephen Ministry congregations. Our desire is to see laypeople trained to provide genuinely Christian care to people who are going through times of transition or times of difficulty. Stephen Ministry will help us in our mission to care for one another and to reach out to those who do not yet know Jesus.

Stephen Ministers ARE...

Children of God who walk beside hurting people

A caring Christian friend who really listens

A lay person who has received 50 hours of training in how to provide distinctively Christian care

Stephen Ministers ARE NOT...

Counselors or therapists

Problem-solvers

Casual visitors

The symbol for Stephen Ministry is a cross and circle along with a broken person and a whole person. The broken person behind the cross symbolizes the brokenness in our lives due to sin and imperfections. The whole person in front of the cross symbolizes the wholeness we can only receive through the cross of Jesus. The circle symbolizes both the wholeness we receive through Christ and God's unending love for us.

Our Timeline for Stephen Ministry

October - Applications will be accepted for 2009 class - DUE OCTOBER 19

November - Interviews will take place

January - May 2009 - 50 hours of training for Stephen Ministers

Photos from the 2008 opening retreat

Need more information?

Contact one of our Stephen Leaders: Linda Mitchell, Pastor Deb Rousselle, Deb Shebesh, Pastor Dennis Ticen.

Or click on the graphic to the right to connect to the Stephen Ministries St. Louis site.