Serve God. Help Others. Grow Spiritually.
What sets us apart isn’t just our process—it’s the intention behind it.
Stephen Ministers provide emotional and spiritual support and care to people who are going through a difficult time, such as divorce, grief, hospitalization, unemployment, terminal illness, relocation, chronic illness, or loneliness.
Join a caring community where your gifts of empathy and faith are nurtured, and you can make a lasting difference in another person’s life.
FAQs
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Who Are Stephen Ministers?
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Stephen Ministers are members of our parish or Catholic community equipped and commissioned for caring ministry. They come from many different backgrounds, ages, and walks of life, but all have a heart for bringing Christ’s healing love to hurting people. They are people like you—caring Christians who want to make a difference in the lives of those going through difficult times.
What do Stephen Ministers do?
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A Stephen Minister walks alongside a hurting person to provide one-to-one, confidential emotional and spiritual care—listening, empathizing, encouraging, helping process feelings, and connecting the person with God’s love. Serving in this role is an opportunity to put your spiritual gifts into action and touch people’s lives in powerful ways.
Typically, a Stephen Minister meets with his or her care receiver in person for about an hour a week. Stephen Ministry also meet twice a month for supervision and continuing education.
Who Do Stephen Ministers Care For?
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Stephen Ministers provide care for care receivers, people in the congregation or community who are experiencing a difficult season in their life, such as grief, job loss, divorce, major illness, spiritual struggles, and the like. In the midst of challenging times, receiving care from a Stephen Minister can make a significant difference.
First, pray about serving as a Stephen Minister. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and discern if this is something you are being called to do. Then, contact a Stephen Leader at Nativity ask about applying for our next training class. We will let you know what your next steps are and, if you are selected, when training will begin.
What Is Stephen Minister Training Like?
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What Do I Do Next?
Stephen Minister training is an interactive program that equips and empowers you to provide Christ-centered care to those who are hurting. Through presentations, discussions, readings, videos, skill practice, and spiritual exercises, Stephen Leaders teach practical caregiving and relational skills while fostering Christian community and personal spiritual growth.
Stephen Ministers often say that their training was life-transforming—helping them to grow in faith and learn relationship skills that deepened and enhanced all of their relationships.
“Stephen Minister training gives you new insight into the thoughts, feelings, and actions of people who are hurting, equips you with relational and caring skills you can apply in all areas of your life, helps deepen your faith, and builds community with the other trainees and Stephen Ministers. Plus, it is interactive, engaging, and fun.”
Nativity Stephen Leader
“Through my training and service as a Stephen Minister, I have grown as a person and have been given an amazing gift to help others. Stephen Ministry provides gifts to both the care giver and to me. I am so blessed to be a part of the Nativity community that continues to provide amazing opportunities to parishioners and our community.”
Nativity Stephen Minister
“My background is in business, but while praying in adoration one day, I felt called to become a Stephen Minister. At the time, I thought it was only to help others. During the training, I realized Jesus was helping me too. I continue to learn so much about myself and others by being a Stephen Minister.”
Nativity Stephen Minister