"First, Stephen Ministers are sorrow-bearers. They are not sorrow-fixers, sorrow-brighteners, or sorrow-deniers. They come alongside a hurting person to listen, care, support, pray, empathize, encourage--to bear another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). And through their sorrow-bearing, God brings about real, lasting healing.

Second, an effective sorrow-bearer remains connected to Jesus, who "took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows" (Isaiah 53:4). Jesus, incarnate in you, empowers you to be a sorrow-bearer. He makes sorrow-bearing possible--and powerful."

-Rev. David A. Paap, Litt.D., Program Director, Stephen Ministries

Stephen Ministry is a program of our congregation that equips lay persons (called Stephen Ministers) to provide distinctively Christian one-to-one care to those who are experienceing grief, separation or divorce, disability, job loss, illness or hospitalization, loneliness and many other of life's difficulties.

Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who listen, care, encourage and provide emotional and spiritual support to people who are facing a crisis or going through tough times. The care is confidential and free.

The learn how to receive care from - or become - a Stephen Minister, talk to our Stephen Minister co-ordinator,Veronica Klein, or to Alex McLeod.