Stephen Ministry at PCLG

 

Are you going through a hard time? Do you need to talk? PCLG is committed to caring for and supporting one another in response to Christ’s command in John 13:34 “to love one another as I have loved you.” If you or someone you know is experiencing a life crisis, a Stephen Minister is ready to walk alongside to listen and pray.

To contact the Stephen Ministry, call the church office at 408-356-6156 or email the Stephen Ministry by clicking here.

 

Jesus told us, his disciples, to make disciples of all nations. One of the most important values of this church is our mission to the world. It begins in our own community, and spreads overseas to every nation. Church members are involved in a variety of ministries from things as simple as washing the church vehicles, to preparing the church bulletins.

 

What is the Stephen Ministry?

 

The Stephen Ministry is one of PCLG’s Caring Ministries that is based on the scriptural principle found in Galatians 6:20: “Bear one another’s burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ.” The Stephen Ministry provides on-going, one-on-one, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting and going through a difficult time in life because of the death of a loved one, separation or divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, loneliness or discouragement, spiritual crisis, recovery after an accident or disaster, relocation, incarceration, parenting a wayward teen, birth, adoption, miscarriage, issues related to racial reconciliation, or some other life challenge.  

 

 

Who Are Stephen Ministers?  

 

Stephen Ministers are highly-trained lay people who meet with their care receiver once a week. They are individuals who show love and compassion for their neighbor, and who see others as having a story and creating a history that they become involved in like a Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37). Stephen Ministers are compassionate, caring people who walk alongside those who are hurting and listen, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support. The confidential, one-on-one caring relationship lasts as long as the care receiver is in need.  

 

As 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Sometimes the people who have gone through the really hard places in life are the very ones who are best able to help those who are going through those tough times now.  

 

If you’ve been wounded by some of life’s tragedies, maybe you should explore the possibility of becoming a Stephen Minister – a wounded healer who listens deeply and takes the time to hear the heart of a hurting person with love, compassion, acceptance, and empathic understanding.  

 

Watch the video to learn more about the value of, and need for, Stephen Ministers at PCLG.