Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry is grounded in Jesus' command to love one another. Through one-to-one caring relationships, those who are hurting receive the love and care they need to support them. 

• Is life more than you can handle alone right now?
• Are your health, your attitude, or your relationships suffering?
• Are you adjusting to a new job, change in marital status, a serious illness, the death of a loved one, or a recent move?
• Would you like to have someone in your life who really cares?

Everyone goes through difficult times. Having someone to care, to listen, to share God's love with you can help you get through the confusion, stress, or loneliness you may be experiencing. 

How does the referrals process work?  

Any adult who is hurting and in need of Christian care can seek a Stephen Minister. It is not necessary to be member of White Plains to have a Stephen Minister. 

If you, a friend, or a relative would like a Stephen Minister, you can, with the person's permission, contact either of the pastors, the church office, or make a request by email or phone to contact the Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator, Betty Walden. (Betty Walden at 467-5933) 

The Referrals Coordinator will then contact the interested person and arrange a time that they can meet briefly to talk about Stephen Ministry, share expectations and answer questions that the person may have. 

If the person decides he/she would like a Stephen Minister, the referrals coordinator prayerfully links him/her with a Stephen minister. The Stephen Minister and Care Receiver then decide on a schedule to meet and location (normally once a week for 1 hour). 

Stephen Ministry is strictly confidential and distinctively Christian.  

What is a Stephen Minister? 

A Stephen Minister is...

• A child of God who walks beside a hurting person 
• A caring Christian friend who really listens
• Lay person who has received 50 hours of training in how to provide distinctively Christian care. 
• Committed to growing spiritually in relationship with Christ, and growing in skills through regular Stephen Ministry Supervision meetings.

A Stephen Minister is NOT...

• a counselor or therapist 
• a problem solver 
• a casual visitor.

Stephen Ministry helps meet the needs of individuals who are in any life crisis that would benefit from a caring, Christian friend. Included, but not limited to...

• hospitalized
• family crisis 
• separation/divorce 
• terminally ill 
• life crisis issues
• bereaved / loss 
• in a job crisis 
• relationship issues
• new members of the church 
• homebound 
• lonely 
• in a spiritual crisis 
• looking for a caring, Christian friend. 

For more information on becoming a Stephen Minister or for referrals, please contact Betty Walden at 467-5933. 

Your request will be kept strictly confidential. 

Click these links for more information:

• Training Class of 2011-12
  
  
• Additional questions and answers on the Stephen Ministry
  
  
• Stephen Minister job description
  
  
• Stephen Minister application form

Who are our White Plains Stephen Ministers? 

Many members of White Plains have been trained as Stephen Ministers since we began in 1988. Stephen Ministers commit to two years of service, but many have continued much longer. 

Our current roster of Stephen Ministers include: 

Stephen Ministry Leadership Team: