About Us
The Mount Hope Baptist Church Stephen Ministry is a spiritual care model that offers hope for recovery in times of grief, unemployment, illness and other moments of crises and stress. Through one-to-one lay caring relationships, our Stephen Ministers walk alongside our parishioners and non-parishioners through seasons of despair, dismay and distress, and provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to those who are hurting. As the process of healing and wholeness occurs, our care receivers experience an encounter with God using disciplines of the Christian faith that promote transformation through the liberating power of God’s Holy Spirit.
To receive spiritual care and support in times of need including bereavement and grief, divorce, job loss, chronic, terminal illness, or other life crisis, please contact Rev. Dr. Sharon K. Jones at stephen.ministry@mthopeva.org or fill out the form below.
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2, NRSV).
Frequency Asked Questions
In Acts 6, Stephen was chosen to provide caring ministry to those in need. Since the time of the Apostles, caring ministry has been considered a hallmark of the Christian faith community.
The Stephen Series is the overall ministry system—including training, resources, structure, and ongoing support—used by congregations to equip and empower a team of laypeople to provide one-to-one Christian care to hurting people.
Stephen Ministry is the ministry that happens when a congregation implements the Stephen Series system.
Stephen Ministers are laypeople trained to provide one-to-one, Christ-centered care. They have a compassionate heart for those who are hurting, and they’re equipped with caring ministry skills by their congregation’s Stephen Leaders. A Stephen Minister typically has one care receiver at a time and meets with that person once a week to listen, care, pray, encourage, and offer emotional and spiritual support.
Stephen Ministers provide care to individuals facing difficult times in life—grief, cancer, divorce, financial difficulties, hospitalization, chronic illness, job loss, disability, loneliness, a spiritual crisis, or other life struggles.
Stephen Leaders are the pastors, other church staff members, and lay leaders who are equipped to direct Stephen Ministry in their congregation. Stephen Leaders have gifts and skills in areas such as leadership, teaching, and organizing people, along with a heart for caring ministry.
A Leader’s Training Course (LTC) is a one-week event where pastors, other church staff, and lay leaders are equipped to serve as Stephen Leaders. They learn the Stephen Series system so they can establish and lead Stephen Ministry in their congregations.
Yes. Stephen Ministers often provide care for people in the broader community, enhancing and expanding a congregation’s outreach in a powerful way.
To receive spiritual care and support or to learn more about becoming a Stephen Minister please contact Rev. Dr. Sharon K. Jones at stephen.ministry@mthopeva.org or fill out the contact form below.
CONTACT US
