Stephen Ministry

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2, NRSV).

Saint Martin’s Stephen Ministry

Everyone faces periods of crisis, transition, or difficulty.  During these times a caring relationship with someone who will faithfully listen, empathize, pray with and for them, and encourage them with Christ’s love and care can be a tremendous benefit.

What can pastors and congregations do to meet the ever-growing need for such care?  Empowering well-chosen, trained, and supervised laypeople called Stephen Ministers is an answer that St. Martin’s chose over 30 years ago. It was and is a natural, highly effective, and thoroughly biblical way to meet the growing needs for care within a congregation or to reach out with Christ’s love to hurting people who have no church home. St. Martin’s currently has 22 trained Stephen Ministers who have engaged in 50 hours of training in Christian caregiving and have continuing education to further enhance their skills.  Stephen Minister’s care doesn’t replace a pastor’s care; it complements and expands the pastor’s care. Also, Stephen Ministers provide confidential one-to-one Christ-centered care to hurting people in our congregation and community.  Men are paired with men, women with women.

Please contact the St. Martin’s church office (512-476-6757) to leave a number if you have a need or know someone who has a need for a caring relationship that can be short term or for however long is needed. One of the Stephen Leaders: Connie Grosskopf, Fred Aus, Sally Gavin, Virginia Haas, or Susan Pearce will return your call.