Caring That Changes Lives

What is Stephen Ministry?

The Stephen Series, also called "Stephen Ministry," provides congregations with the training, resources, and ongoing support to organize and equip a team of lay caregivers called Stephen Ministers from within one congregation.

Stephen Ministers provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care and support to people experiencing grief, divorce, illness, job loss, loneliness, disability, relocations, and other life difficulties. People who are hurting no longer suffer alone. A caring Christian friend (Stephen Minister) comes alongside them to provide emotional and spiritual care for as long as the need persists.

Since 1975, the Stephen Ministry organization, based in St. Louis, MO, has helped more than 11,000 congregations implement Stephen Ministry. These congregations represent more than 150 denominations and come from all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces, and 23 other countries.

St. Mary's is proud to have been involved with Stephen Ministry since 2006, and since 2008 has provided confidential care for over 225 care receivers. Each year, Stephen Ministers are recruited and trained with 50 hours of intense, comprehensive training. This training, along with continuing education and twice-monthly supervision groups, adequately equips our Stephen Ministers to be skilled caregivers.

What is NOT Stephen Ministry?

Stephen Ministry is not professional counseling or therapy service/provider, an errand service, personal care attendant, etc. Rather, Stephen Ministers are the "After People.". They are ready to come alongside you or any parishioner from St. Mary's and provide comfort and support for as long after as needed.

How can I contact St. Mary’s Stephen Ministry?

There are three options for parishioners of St. Mary's who are interested in a Stephen Minister to contact the ministry:

• Call the confidential referral line at 806-350-2930 and leave us a message
• Complete a care card located in the church's gathering area or the Chapel and place it in the secure collection box
• Complete an online referral by clicking here: Request a Stephen Minister

A Referral Coordinator will contact you within 24 hours. Unfortunately, at this time, the Stephen Ministry is only available to those over 18 years of age and registered within St. Mary’s Cathedral.

For more information, see the video below.

“Within five minutes of meeting my Stephen Minister, I knew she was right for me. She listens and cares—never judging or criticiz­ing me. She has shown me God’s unconditional love, something I had never fully experienced before”.
     ~ Sarah