Stephen Ministry

My name is Sandy Hoisington and I am a Stephen Minister at Wickline.  God did not give me the gift of singing, preaching or teaching.  He did give me the gift to listen and care about people.  With God’s help and the training of the wonderful Stephen Leaders at Wickline, I was able to become a Stephen Minister.  So far I have been blessed with three wonderful, but very different care receivers.  It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.  The other Stephen Ministers and I would love to share this rewarding experience with you.  There is a new class starting soon.

Stephen Ministers are dedicated lay people who provide one-to-one caring, in-depth ministry to others in time of need.  They extend a hand of Christian friendship.   They visit weekly, or as needed, and care enough to commit to a caring relationship as long as the need exists.  The Ministers listen empathetically and keep confidentiality; while encouraging the care receiver to take positive steps, they will use Christian resources such as scripture and prayer.

When people experience loss, grief, or other stressful changes in their lives, there is a need for an empathetic listener.  Family and close friends are often too emotionally involved to meet the need.  Stephen Ministers are trained to be caring Christian friends who can help hurting individuals sort out options.  They do not give advice or provide solutions.  They are not professional counselors, psychologists, social workers, or experts in law, finance, church doctrine, and so on, but neither are they merely superficial visitors. God is viewed as providing the cure while Stephen Ministers provide the care.

Would you like to talk to a qualified person about a personal situation you are dealing with?  Are you looking for a caring person to help you through a crisis?  The Stephen Ministry program is a free and confidential service provided by Wickline United Methodist Church for its people in need of care.  Simply call the church office and ask to speak to Rev. Tiffany D’Amours.

Wickline Stephen Ministers: