The Stephen Ministry here at First United Methodist Church brings care to all in need. This confidential, Christian care giving is a vital part of the total healing ministry of Christ's body, the church. Our trained Stephen Ministers are here to meet the needs of individuals who are:

• Homebound or alone
• Hospitalized or recently discharged
• Facing serious or terminal illness
• Experiencing major life adjustments
• Residents of long-term care facilities
• Facing decisions on care of loved ones
• Experiencing the absence of family members due to death, school, military assignment, marriage or divorce
• Adjusting to becoming single parents

Our mission is to provide loving and distinctly Christian Care to those going through difficult times and to offer a ministry of highly trained and godly Stephen Ministers who provide loving Christian Care and share the burdens of others.

When someone requests a Stephen Minister, our Care Ministries Director, Debbie Black, will meet with that individual, explain what Stephen Ministry is and determine whether a Stephen Ministry Referral is the appropriate care needed. If so, a Stephen Minister will contact the care receiver and begin meeting with him or her for approximately one hour each week for as long as the need is there. All information is confidential. The Stephen Ministers don't try to solve problems; they listen, care, pray and help the care receiver find his or her path to healing and wholeness.

If you would like information about the Stephen Ministry program and how to become a Stephen Minister, contact Carol Ritchey at (817)917-8042. If you would like to request a Stephen Minister, please complete this form or contact Debbie Black via e-mail or phone at (817)477-2287, X-162.

Our vision is to be a ministry recognized for its highly trained and godly Stephen Ministers who are providing loving Christian care and sharing the burdens of Christians having difficulty keeping focused on God due to issues or concerns in their lives.