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Immanuel's Stephen Ministers

Stephen Leaders:
Pastor Erik Johnson
Connie Young

Stephen Ministers:
Renee Brock
Barb Donner
Nancy Hartford
Jill Holleque
Janet Jaeger
Jamie McElhone
Melissa McElhone
Becky Sanderlin
Pauline Zdanowitz

Stephen Ministry

The Stephen Series Logo: The logo Stephen Ministry congregations use consists of a cross and circle, together with a broken person and a whole person. The broken person stands behind the cross, symbolizing the brokenness in our lives as a result of our sin. The whole person stands in front of the cross because it is through the cross of Jesus that we again are made whole. The circle symbolizes both the wholeness we receive through Christ and God's unending love for us.

Stephen Ministry Links

Stephen Ministries

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.

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

Stephen Ministers Care For People Facing Tough Times

We all experience challenges in life--times when we could benefit from the support of a caring Christian friend. Stephen Ministers are ready to provide the emotional and spiritual care we need when faced with a crisis or difficulty such as---
  • Loss of a loved one
  • Hospitalization
  • Divorce or separation
  • Loneliness or discouragement
  • Spiritual crisis
  • Unemployment or a job crisis
  • A terminal illness
  • Incarceration
  • Aging
  • Birth, adoption, miscarriage, or infertility
  • A chronic illness
  • Relocation
  • Recovery after an accident or disaster
  • And many more
Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry: The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each caring relationship remains private.

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

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 Connie Young, Chair of our Stephen Ministry Team.

Stephen Ministry at Immanuel

Following a seminary in November 2007, a core team of Immanuel members began work on forming a Stephen Ministry program at the church.

In April, Immanuel Lutheran Church officially enrolled as a Stephen Ministry congregation.

During the spring of 2008, a great deal of awarness building and fund-raising was done. On March 2, 2008 a chili cook-off, along with giflts from several memorial funds, private donations, and a Thrivent matching grant helped us to send Pastor Erick, Vicar Michelle and Connie Young to a Stephen Ministry Leader Training in Pittsburg in August 2008.

In November, 2008 we began training our first class of Stephen Ministers. These 12 dedicated individuals will receive 50 hours of training in distinctively Christian caregiving and will be comissioned as Stephen Ministers in April 2009.

On March 8, 2009, we had our second Chili Cook-Off. $1341.00 was raised in ticket sales & raffle tickets. The money will be used to help send more people to the leader training and to help with expenses for our Senior High Youth's trip to the Gathering in New Orleans.

On April 19, 2009 we commissioned 11 new Stephen Ministers. They are currently engaged in Bi-monthly Supervision and while some are engaged caring relationships with people in need in our congregation and community, others are still available to help new people in need.

During this winter, we hope to send our new intern and several more lay people to Stephen Leader training and we hope to begin training a class of Stephen Ministers in the Spring.

If you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, click to email the Pastor Erick, or you can call him at 517-782-6081.

Click to email Connie Young, Immanuel's Stephen Ministries Chair or you can call her at 517-745-2699. .


MISSION STATEMENT
Joyfully proclaiming the Good News of Jesus in word and action,
growing in faith and discipleship, and caring for one another.

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Immanuel Lutheran Church
Jackson, Michigan