|
Stephen Ministry at Big Canoe Chapel
“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way
you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
|
Stephen Ministry Leaders: (l to r) Jim Pollner, Linda Allen, Millann Funk, Linn Bowman, The Rev. V. Lamar Helms.
|
Big Canoe Chapel Begins Stephen Ministry
Big Canoe Chapel is expanding its outreach program with the addition of a Stephen Ministry. This ministry will equip lay members of the Chapel to work alongside our pastors to provide one-to-one Christian emotional and spiritual support to individuals in the congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives–persons who are going through the trauma of grief, illness, spiritual crises, loneliness and a myriad of other problems. Highly trained Stephen Ministers can extend the care given by our pastors by being there to walk alongside hurting people as long as there is a need. Stephen Ministers at the Chapel extending loving care.
A multidenominational ministry, the Stephen Ministry has been in existence since 1975 and is currently operating in thousands of congregations and organizations throughout the world (www.stephenministries.org). Some time ago, Rev. Lamar Helms and Millann Funk became interested in the Stephen Ministry and, upon exploration, concluded that the program fit perfectly with Big Canoe Chapel’s mission to reach out to our community. This past June, Lamar and Millann attended a 50-hour, week-long Stephen Leadership Training course in Orlando, Florida. The next month, Jim Pollner and Linda Allen attended the same training seminar in Dallas, Texas. Those four individuals, plus Linn Bowman who was a Stephen Leader and Minister in another congregation, make up the Stephen Leader Team, with the responsibility for planning and directing the program for Big Canoe Chapel.
The Stephen Ministry philosophy is best expressed by its logo shown above. Read more about the beautiful symbolism expressed in the Stephen Ministry logo.
Stephen Ministers commissioned on May 16, 2010
 |
(Front row) Jean Berry, Marty Anderson, Jimmie Dell Noll, Linn Bowman, Kay Stanley, Linda Yeakel, Lynda Case; (Back row) Millann Funk, Linda Allen, Keith Schut, Jobeth Yarbrough, Connie Pollner, Jim Pollner, Randy Case, Rev. Lamar Helms. Not pictured, Terry Campbell, Vee Thompson, Margie Bowyer. (Photo by Valerie Doll)
|
If you think you might be interesting in becoming a Stephen Minister, please read more about Minister Recruitment and Training.
|
