STEPHEN MINISTRY

I have told some of you about the Stephen Ministry training I have been doing. This is a christain care giving ministry. We basically give care to people going through a crises. We finally finished it a couple of weeks ago. It was 50 hours of classes done over a couple of months. Eight of us at my church completed the training.

Here is an overview of what we do taken from the Stephen Minsistry web site:

Mission and Ministry of Stephen Ministries
The mission of Stephen Ministries is to help congregations equip God's people for spiritual growth and Christ-centered, practical ministry in today's world.
Since 1975, the 50-person staff of Stephen Ministries St. Louis has developed training and resources characterized by excellence, practicality, psychological integrity, and theological depth. Stephen Ministries offers courses and ministry systems to fit the needs of every Christian congregation and adult education ministry. The Vision of Stephen Ministries that each congregation would embody and express Jesus' command, "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34).
The Core Values of Stephen Ministries

Solid Biblical, Christ-centered theology
Sound practical psychology
Equipping God's people
Relational Ministry
Transdenominational
Excellence
Stability and dependability

The easy part is behind us and the hard work is about to begin as we are ready to get care recievers. Each of us are in it for at least a two year commitment, so keep us all in prayer as we go about doing God's work. It isn't doing the healing, but the Lord. We are only the conduit He is using.

MAY GOD'S BLESSINGS BE WITH YOU 'TILL NEXT TIME.

-THE GREAT ONE