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    • Home
    • About Us
      • Mission and Vision
      • Doctrine Statement
      • History
      • Leadership
      • What To Expect
    • Services
    • Ministries
      • Why New Friendship
      • Youth
      • Music
      • Outreach
      • Care & Prayer
    • Upcoming Events
    • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Mission and Vision
    • Doctrine Statement
    • History
    • Leadership
    • What To Expect
  • Services
  • Ministries
    • Why New Friendship
    • Youth
    • Music
    • Outreach
    • Care & Prayer
  • Upcoming Events
  • Contact Us

Stephen Ministry

Are you going through a difficult time?

 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 you'll receive is confidential, free, and very helpful. 

What is Stephen Ministry?

 Our congregation's Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives.

Contact the Stephen Ministry at stephenministry@newfriendshipchurch.org

The Ministry Logo

 The Stephen Series logo symbolizes that we all are broken people and that it is through the cross of Jesus that we are made whole.

"To equip the saints for the work of ministry." --Ephesians 4:12a

A Stephen Minister is ...

Stephen Ministers Care for People Facing Tough Times

  • A child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting
  • A congregation member with gifts for caregiving who was carefully selected to serve in this role
  • A lay person who has received 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care
  • A caring, Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages
  • Someone who will "be there" for his or her care receiver; meeting faithfully for about an hour each week, for as long as there's a need

"Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." 

-Galatians 6:2

Stephen Ministers Care for People Facing Tough Times

Stephen Ministers Care for People Facing Tough Times

Stephen Ministers Care for People Facing Tough Times

We all experience challenges in life-- times when we could benefit from the support of a caring Christian friend. Stephen Ministers are ready to provide the emotional and spiritual care we need when faced with a crisis or difficulty such as --

  • Loss of a loved one
  • Hospitalization
  • Divorce or separation
  • Loneliness or discouragement
  • Spiritual crisis
  • Unemployment or a job crisis
  • A terminal illness
  • Incarceration
  • Aging
  • Birth, adoption, miscarriage, or infertility
  • A chronic illness
  • Relocation
  • Recovery after an accident or disaster
  • And many more


Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry: The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each caring relationship remain private.


"Therefore encourage one another and build up each other." --1 Thessalonians 5:11

Stephen Ministry is Your Ministry

Stephen Ministers Care for People Facing Tough Times

Stephen Ministers Care for People Facing Tough Times

You play an important role in our Stephen Ministry. Here's what you can do:

  • Pray for God to bring hope and healing to hurting people through our Stephen Ministry.
  • Accept care  from a Stephen Minister during your time of need. God doesn't expect you to bear your burdens alone.
  • Tell a friend,  neighbor, coworker, or relative who is hurting about our Stephen Ministry.
  • If you are a good listener and a compassionate person, prayerfully consider becoming a Stephen Minister.

Stephen Leaders Are...

Stephen Leaders Are...

Stephen Leaders Are...

Trained leaders in our congregation who oversee and direct our Stephen Ministry.

  • If you--or someone you know--could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister ...
  • If you are interested in possibly becoming a Stephen Minister ...
  • If you have any other questions about Stephen Ministry ...
  • ... talk with one of our Stephen Leaders.

"Love one another--as I have loved you." --John 13:34

What next?

Stephen Leaders Are...

Stephen Leaders Are...

  • Could you benefit from the confidential, one-to-one care and support of a Stephen Minister?
  • Do you know someone else--perhaps a friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative--who could benefit from Stephen Ministry?
  • Are you interested in possibly becoming a Stephen Minister?

Contact the Stephen Ministry at stephenministry@newfriendshipchurch.org

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