Stephen Ministry

For more than 20 years, Stephen Ministry has been an extension of our congregation's Serve Ministry. This program provides caring Christians to give spiritual comfort and reassurance to those faced with difficult life situations. Stephen Ministers are lay persons called to Christian caregiving. They faithfully listen, provide encouragement, and pray with and for the person receiving care, and provide a confidential, secure setting in which concerns can be expressed and explored.

A Stephen Minister is not a problem solver but, rather, someone who will walk with another person as he or she goes through a difficult period in life. Each Stephen Minister has received over 50 hours of formal training on how to care for others. He or she meets one-on-one with the person in need once a week for one hour at a mutually convenient place. In between meetings, a Stephen Minister is usually available by phone if needed.

A Stephen Ministry relationship is strictly confidential. All communications between Stephen Ministers and those they care for remain private. In fact, only a pastor and two of the leaders of the NPC Stephen Ministry program know who is receiving care from any of the Stephen Ministers. The Stephen Minister and the person they care for are always of the same gender.

The caring relationship continues as long as necessary. Stephen Ministry relationships typically last from a few months to a year, but there is no "set" time limit. The person receiving care and his or her Stephen Minister work together to decide when and how the formal care giving relationship will come to a close.

No matter what the situation -- death of a loved one, illness, caring for a chronically ill family member, loneliness, divorce, single parenthood, job loss, or any of the many other challenges all of us face from time to time -- a Stephen Minister is there to listen and provide Christian caring.

Active Stephen Ministers

Glenn Schmitt, chairperson

Tom Bartman
Marcia Bini
John Breckenridge
Jeanne Carr
Trish Crawford
Richard Crawford
Al Duncker
Julie Gadingan
Lyn Halvonik
Lapsley Hamblen
Sally Ingersoll
Emmy Lewis
Dottie McKnight
Gwen Paro
Aly Porter
Charles Proctor
Betsy Ross
Ed Redfern Jr.
Lucille Smiley
May Yamate