Stephen Ministry
Someone to Listen. Someone to Care.
You Are Not Alone
Life can be overwhelming. During difficult seasons, it helps to have someone who will simply listen, care, and walk alongside you.
A Stephen Minister provides confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals going through challenging times. They offer a compassionate presence through listening, encouragement, and prayer. You are not alone—there is someone ready to stand with you, offering steady support and understanding when you need it most.
How a Stephen Minister Helps
- Meets with you one-to-one, typically once a week for about an hour
- Listens without judgment
- Offers encouragement and emotional support
- Prays with and for you (if you desire)
- Walks alongside you through life’s challenges at your pace
Stephen Ministers are trained caregivers—but they are not professional counselors, therapists, pastors, or physicians.
The “After” People
Sometimes the hardest part comes after everything else.
Stephen Ministers are there for those moments:
- After a relationship ends, but the hurt remains
- After the doctor says, “There’s nothing more we can do”
- After the divorce papers are signed
- After the funeral, when the quiet sets in
- After a job loss, dealing with difficult caregiving responsibilities, and other life events
When others may have moved on, a Stephen Minister stays—offering steady, ongoing care and support.
Confidential Care You Can Trust
Your privacy matters.
You are respected, heard, and never judged.
- Everything you share is kept confidential
- You can speak freely without fear
- The only exceptions involve risk of harm (such as suicide, abuse, or danger to others)
- Ministers receive support through supervision, but never share names or identifying details
I’m really thankful that you’ve been here for me over this past year. I know that God has worked through this relationship to bring me the help and support I needed. I’m in a much better place now.
Having a Stephen Minister walk with me through a very difficult time in my life was a true gift from God. My SM truly listened to me; she listened to my words, listened to what I did not say, and listened when I could not speak. In walking with me through my journey, she demonstrated God’s love when I felt unlovable. She made me feel valued when I felt worthless. But most amazing, she did all of this without making me feel like I was a burden. My SM made a huge difference in my journey.
My Stephen Minister was God’s hands lifting me up physically and mentally to keep me going each day. Just having my SM there to listen to me each week meant that I was not going through my situation alone. The SM gave me hope, inspiration, and the ability to persevere. I looked forward to meeting my SM each week! I am now a stronger person, I feel God’s love and grace, and I am a much better person to those around me. The Stephen Ministry program is God sent.
Request a Stephen Minister
If you’re going through a difficult time, you don’t have to face it alone.
Take the first step today. Complete the request form below.
A referrals coordinator will connect with you—by phone or in person—to learn more about your situation and match you with a Stephen Minister.
(All care is provided free of charge.)
Feel Called to Care for Others?
Stephen Ministry is also an opportunity to serve others in a meaningful and life-changing way.
- 50 hours of in-person training
- Ongoing support and supervision
- Practical skills in caregiving and compassionate listening
- A chance to make a real difference in someone’s life
Training is held at North Raleigh United Methodist Church, in partnership with four other local churches.
If you feel called to serve in this way, we’d love to talk with you.