Stephen Ministry At East Cobb UMC

“[God] consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4)

If you are not already aware, Stephen Ministry is a lay caring ministry of our church that enables fellow members to care for one another in the way Paul describes above. With over 1000 members, it’s impossible (and impractical) for our Pastors to be able to take care of all the congregational care needs of our church. So, our Stephen Ministry is therefore one of the vital complementary components of our overall Pastoral Care system.

Our ministry here at East Cobb UMC is a part of an interdenominational ministry that began in 1975 in St. Louis, MO and is now in over 10,000 churches around the world who have collectively trained over half a million Stephen Ministers in that time (including 10 currently in our church). Find out more about this ministry HERE.

Stephen Ministers themselves are fellow church members who’ve gone through 50 hours of training to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care for people who’re facing a crisis or simply going through a tough time. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, loneliness, cancer, a layoff, relocation, divorce, a spiritual crisis, recuperation, single parenthood, or any of countless other life challenges or hurts, our Stephen Ministers are here to care for you!

Your Stephen Minister will meet with you once a week for around an hour to listen to you, care for you, pray with and for you, and provide emotional and spiritual encouragement. Men are matched with male Stephen Ministers, and women are matched with female Stephen Ministers. The caring relationship is free, and lasts for as long as you need care – it’s a powerful way either to receive help yourself, or also a great way to help a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or relative who’s been struggling in any way.

To find out more about either...(#1) how you can become a Stephen Minister, OR (#2) how you or someone you know could be matched with one of our church’s confidential Stephen Ministers, either email our Stephen Ministry, speak in person with one of our Stephen Leaders (Jody Kershner or Eileen Forrester), or to Pastor Jim or Pastor Brian. Our Stephen Ministers are here for YOU!  Always remember that God loves you and I do, too!