Article by Patsy Morriss
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Jesus calls us to care for each other. One way members of Williams Memorial United Methodist Church respond to that call is through Stephen Ministry.
Stephen Ministry provides confidential, one-to-one Christian care to those who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. A Stephen Minister meets weekly with a person who is hurting to listen, pray, encourage and offer support so that person doesn’t have to walk alone through life’s struggles.
“I thank God every day for my Stephen Minister,” said one care receiver. “I don’t know how I could have made it through the past year without her.”
Stephen Ministry at Williams consists of 13 Stephen Ministers, each of whom has received 50 hours of initial training as well as ongoing continuing education. Stephen Ministers include Debbie Alkire, Laurie Booker, Jim Bunch, Margy Chaufty, Kari Jo Cranford, Betty Hankins, Karen Mittelman, Don Morriss, Martha Morriss, Jan Patterson, Joe Thornton, Patsy Thornton and Denise Wright. To date, they have worked with 23 care receivers.
Gin Allen, Don Keasler and Patsy Morriss administer the program as Stephen Leaders, working closely with Senior Pastor Danny Wayman to identify needs both within and outside the congregation. Stephen Leaders receive a full week of training from the staff of Stephen Ministries St. Louis. The organization is non-denominational, and there are more than 10,000 Stephen Ministry congregations across 150 denominations around the world.
“Stephen Ministers are there to listen and care, not to offer advice,” explained Stephen Leader Gin Allen. “They aren’t counselors or therapists. They are caring Christian friends who walk with others through life’s struggles.”
“Stephen Ministry benefits both the caregiver and the care receiver,” added Pastor Danny Wayman. “Both walk as friends along their faith journey, and both grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.”
New Stephen Ministers are needed in order to expand Stephen Ministry’s ability to reach out to those who are in need. Training will take place starting in January, running through the end of May. Classes will be on Tuesday evenings. Training topics will include active listening, distinctively Christian care, feelings, confidentiality, and crisis theory, as well as ministering to those in specific situations such as divorce, grief and hospitalization.
“Stephen Ministry training has helped me to be a better listener, and to understand that healing comes through Jesus Christ,” said Stephen Minister Don Morriss. “My job as a Stephen Minister isn’t to fix my care receiver’s problems, it’s to help him trust, love and follow God. I’m the caregiver; God is the cure-giver.”
If you are compassionate and a good listener you might find Stephen Ministry to be the perfect way to utilize your spiritual gifts. Give prayerful consideration to becoming a Stephen Minister and helping fellow Christians trust God more completely, follow Him more closely and love Him more deeply.
A workshop for anyone who might be interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, or would like more information, will be held on Sunday, November 1 at 4:30 p.m. in Room 103/105. This workshop will provide an opportunity to learn more, ask questions and meet others who are interested.
Stephen Ministry application forms are available at the Welcome Center or the church office. Call Don Keasler, 903-838-5990, Gin Allen, 903-832-5776, or Patsy Morriss, 903-793-2769 for more information.
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Jesus calls us to care for each other. One way members of Williams Memorial United Methodist Church respond to that call is through Stephen Ministry.
Stephen Ministry provides confidential, one-to-one Christian care to those who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. A Stephen Minister meets weekly with a person who is hurting to listen, pray, encourage and offer support so that person doesn’t have to walk alone through life’s struggles.
“I thank God every day for my Stephen Minister,” said one care receiver. “I don’t know how I could have made it through the past year without her.”
Stephen Ministry at Williams consists of 13 Stephen Ministers, each of whom has received 50 hours of initial training as well as ongoing continuing education. Stephen Ministers include Debbie Alkire, Laurie Booker, Jim Bunch, Margy Chaufty, Kari Jo Cranford, Betty Hankins, Karen Mittelman, Don Morriss, Martha Morriss, Jan Patterson, Joe Thornton, Patsy Thornton and Denise Wright. To date, they have worked with 23 care receivers.
Gin Allen, Don Keasler and Patsy Morriss administer the program as Stephen Leaders, working closely with Senior Pastor Danny Wayman to identify needs both within and outside the congregation. Stephen Leaders receive a full week of training from the staff of Stephen Ministries St. Louis. The organization is non-denominational, and there are more than 10,000 Stephen Ministry congregations across 150 denominations around the world.
“Stephen Ministers are there to listen and care, not to offer advice,” explained Stephen Leader Gin Allen. “They aren’t counselors or therapists. They are caring Christian friends who walk with others through life’s struggles.”
“Stephen Ministry benefits both the caregiver and the care receiver,” added Pastor Danny Wayman. “Both walk as friends along their faith journey, and both grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.”
New Stephen Ministers are needed in order to expand Stephen Ministry’s ability to reach out to those who are in need. Training will take place starting in January, running through the end of May. Classes will be on Tuesday evenings. Training topics will include active listening, distinctively Christian care, feelings, confidentiality, and crisis theory, as well as ministering to those in specific situations such as divorce, grief and hospitalization.
“Stephen Ministry training has helped me to be a better listener, and to understand that healing comes through Jesus Christ,” said Stephen Minister Don Morriss. “My job as a Stephen Minister isn’t to fix my care receiver’s problems, it’s to help him trust, love and follow God. I’m the caregiver; God is the cure-giver.”
If you are compassionate and a good listener you might find Stephen Ministry to be the perfect way to utilize your spiritual gifts. Give prayerful consideration to becoming a Stephen Minister and helping fellow Christians trust God more completely, follow Him more closely and love Him more deeply.
A workshop for anyone who might be interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, or would like more information, will be held on Sunday, November 1 at 4:30 p.m. in Room 103/105. This workshop will provide an opportunity to learn more, ask questions and meet others who are interested.
Stephen Ministry application forms are available at the Welcome Center or the church office. Call Don Keasler, 903-838-5990, Gin Allen, 903-832-5776, or Patsy Morriss, 903-793-2769 for more information.
Article by Patsy Morriss
Stephen Ministry at Williams consists of 13 Stephen Ministers, each of whom has received 50 hours of initial training as well as ongoing continuing education. Stephen Ministers include Debbie Alkire, Laurie Booker, Jim Bunch, Margy Chaufty, Kari Jo Cranford, Betty Hankins, Karen Mittelman, Don Morriss, Martha Morriss, Jan Patterson, Joe Thornton, Patsy Thornton and Denise Wright. To date, they have worked with 23 care receivers.
