TODAY'S DATE Wednesday, May 14th 2008. Get all the Church News Here! The Stephen Series logo symbolizes that we all are broken people and that it is only through the cross of Jesus that we are made whole. Hurting? Struggling? Discouraged? Stressed? Confused? Broken? Stephen Ministers are Ready to Care! What is Stephen Ministry? Our congregation’s Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. A Stephen Minister Is . . . A child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting A congregation member with gifts for caregiving, who was carefully selected to serve in this role A lay person who has received 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care A caring Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages Someone who will "be there" for his or her care receiver, meeting faithfully for about an hour each week, for as long as there’s a need "Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 Stephen Ministry is Your Ministry You play an important role in our Stephen Ministry. Here’s what you can do: Pray for God to bring hope and healing to hurting people through our Stephen Ministry. Accept care from a Stephen Minister during your time of need. God doesn’t expect you to bear your burdens alone. Tell a friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative who is hurting about our Stephen Ministry. If you are a good listener and a compassionate person, prayerfully consider becoming a Stephen Minister. Stephen Leaders Are . . . Trained leaders in our congregation who oversee and direct our Stephen Ministry. If you – or someone you know – could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister … If you are interested in possibly becoming a Stephen Minister … If you have any other questions about Stephen Ministry … … talk with one of our Stephen Leaders. "Therefore encourage one another and build up each other." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Stephen Ministry Multiplies Ministry Pastors will always be on the front lines of care, especially during times of crisis. But there are always many more needs for ongoing, one-to-one care than pastors can effectively meet by themselves. Stephen Ministry provides a biblical solution—equipping God’s people for ministry. Gifted lay people are trained to support and extend the care that pastors continue to provide. Stephen Ministers reach out with God’s love to people who are hurting—both congregation members and nonmembers alike. "To equip the saints for the work of ministry." Ephesians 4:12a Stephen Ministry is in Our Congregation Could you benefit from the confidential, one-to-one care of a Stephen Minister? Do you know someone else who could benefit from Stephen Ministry? (Feel free to pass along this brochure.) Are you interested in possibly becoming a Stephen Minister? Then contact one of our Stephen Leaders: Pastor Cody Pelham (248) 349-9030 Ron and Sandy Ward (734) 397-1716 Pat Kuxhaus (248) 348-3915 Dolores Snook (313) 291-9459 Gary & Sue Seibert (313) 937-2720 Sandy McGrew (734) 927-4513   © Copyright Northville Christian Assembly