Stephen Ministry Matters
John Jarrard, Ruth Ducharme, and Kam Cook have returned from Orlando where they experienced an informative and inspirational week learning how to serve Highland Hills as Stephen Leaders. Though the week was intensive, we returned renewed and refreshed, ready to start training our first class of Stephen Ministers today (Thursday). I (Kam) feel as though I have finally entered the last trimester of an 8-year gestation to birth our new lay pastoral care ministry.
We were among the 339 participants from 26 different denominations and 4 countries (USA, Canada, Switzerland, and China) who joined the 75,000+ commissioned Stephen Leaders from 13,000+ congregations throughout the world at the end of the week. We laughed together, cried together, and prayed together for an amazing week. We met many wonderful, encouraging people who were eager to give us guidance in establishing a new Stephen Ministry and providing quality care for our congregation.
The break-away sessions were most informative. In addition to sessions on utilizing Stephen Ministry-generated books (the acclaimed Journeying through Grief series and Cancer—Now What?), other sessions provided a window into the inner workings of the research and development at Stephen Ministry. One session was a “test-drive” of an updated version of one of the training modules. Another—of special interest to me since my mother had Alzheimer’s—was to brainstorm what those who have had experiences with people with dementia would want to be included in researching a book on Alzheimer’s and Dementia that would benefit Alzheimer and dementia patients, their caregivers, and loved ones. I hope the finished product will be similar in format to Cancer—Now What?, which deals with medical, emotional, relational ,and spiritual responses to cancer. This book was inspired by what Dr. Kenneth Haught, founder of Stephen Ministry, experienced and learned while serving as a caregiver for his beloved wife, Joan, during her fight with cancer, as well as the wisdom and input of more than 3,500 cancer survivors, loved ones, and medical professionals. You will be hearing more about Cancer – Now What? in the near future.
Recognizing that God is the ultimate Cure Giver, the Mission of the Highland Hills Baptist Church Stephen Ministry is to serve God and bring Christ’s healing love to individuals who are experiencing life’s challenges through confidential, non-judgmental, one-on-one Christian care.
Training for new Stephen Ministers will begin Thursday, January 24, and will end May 11. If you are interested in joining the Stephen Ministry team, please contact the church office, Kam Cook (kmhcook@gmail.com or 836-5301), Cheryl Sjoquist (320-3625), or Peggy Williams (pjwhaw@yahoo.com or 719-3340).