Stephen Ministry Matters

STEPHEN MINISTRY COMMISSIONING THIS SUNDAY

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.

This coming Sunday will be a joyous occasion here at Highland Hills Baptist Church. At the morning worship service, we will commission three new Stephen Leaders and nine new Stephen Ministers. Stephen Leaders Renee Bennett, Ruth Ducharme, and John Jarrard are prepared to lead this lay caring ministry. They bring their gifts for leadership, vision, wisdom, administration, organization, discernment, and teaching to select and equip those who will be Stephen Ministers—lay Christian caregivers—in our congregation.

Join us Sunday in thanking God that they have answered His call to become Stephen Leaders and in praying for them as they begin this important work of the Lord! Anne Heath, Neil Heath, Lyn Hicks, Kam Cook, Martha Fennell, John Jarrard, Cheryl Sjoquist, Garry Williams, and Peggy Williams are being commissioned into a special ministry of care and concern for others as Stephen Ministers. This rite of commissioning culminates a period of extensive training and preparation for caring ministry. Our Stephen Ministers have studied and practiced skills in such areas as dealing with feelings, crisis intervention, asserting oneself with gentleness and firmness, and numerous other topics to prepare them to help people who are experiencing problems in their lives.

After being commissioned, these Stephen Ministers will be assigned to minister to those hurting in our congregation and community. They will be working with people who are experiencing such life crises as the loss of a loved one, illness, divorce, hospitalization, retirement, financial setback, long-term care, or any of a number of other difficulties people face in daily living.

We thank God for their gifts of caring and listening. Their ministries will increase greatly the overall ministry at HHBC. Please keep them in your prayers as they carry the love of Christ to their care receivers.