CBCGB Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry began in 1975 when Rev Kenneth C. Haugk, Ph.D., a pastor and clinical psychologist in St. Louis, Missouri trained members of his congregation to provide “One to One” caring to people in the congregation and community who were experiencing life difficulties. Details can be found at www.stephenministries.org
To date, more than 11,000 congregations from 160 Christian denominations in the United States and 24 other countries have enrolled in the training of Stephen Leaders (those who oversee and direct Stephen Ministry in the congregation), through whom over 600,000 Stephen Ministers were trained. It is the firm belief of the Stephen Ministers that they are the Care Givers, and only God is the Cure Giver.
Why is it called Stephen Ministry?
The name Stephen comes from the first layperson “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” commissioned by the Apostles to provide caring ministry to those in need (Acts 6).
History of Stephen Ministry at CBCGB
The ministry was started in 2003 with the purpose to train brothers and sisters as Stephen Ministers to care for the people in our congregation and community who are going through life crises such as the loss of loved ones, unemployment, illness, divorce, and others. Since then, 78 brothers and sisters have completed 50 hours (20 weeks of 2.5 hours each week) of training and a 2-year commitment of caring for those who are in need. They meet for an hour with their care-receivers (of the same gender) each week, and participate in the small group peer supervision and continuing education sessions twice a month.
The Stephen Ministers provide a Christ-centered care for the care-receivers, listen to their needs with reflection and compassion, and in confidence.
Schedule:
Annual recruitment of new Stephen Ministers:
First week of February Informational meeting/Accept applications
Third week of February Application deadline
Fourth week of February to first week of March Interviews
April to August Training
Contact
Referral coordinator: Pastor Steve Chang <schang@cbcgb.org>, Tel: 781-863-1755 X12
Ministry coordinator: Sandy Teng stephenministry.care.cbcgb@gmail.com
