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Ministries


our doors are always openStephen Ministry at First Presbyterian

First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg is a Stephen Ministry congregation. The Stephen Series is a complete system for training and organizing lay people to provide one-to-one Christian care to hurting people in and around our congregation. The Stephen Series provides congregations with the structure, training and resources to set up and administer a complete system for lay caring ministry, Stephen Ministry, in the congregation. In Stephen Ministry congregations, lay caregivers, Stephen Ministers, are trained to provide one-to-one Christian care to hurting people in our and around our congregation, the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, and others facing a crisis or life challenge. Stephen Ministry helps pastors and congregations provide quality caring ministry for as long as people need it. If you or someone you know is facing or going through a difficult time, contact Pastor Jack Craft or Stephen Leaders Dale and Barb Groff. the pastor or a Stephen Leader.

In Acts 6, as a man who was “known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom,” Stephen was chosen to be a servant leader in the early church. “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.” As Stephen served “among the people,” so, too, our Stephen Ministers care for the people of our church body and community.

Stephen Ministers are committed Christian people who...

  • express God’s care through their lives to others;
  • received 50 hours of initial training in important caring ministry and concepts;
  • are commissioned as Stephen Ministers after completing their training;
  • visit another person regularly and dependably and offer Christian support and care;
  • participate in regular support and supervision under guidance of trained Stephen leaders;
  • are committed to preserving the condidential nature of the caring relationship;
  • serve at least two years;
  • receive continuing education and skill builidng throughout their time of service.

People who receive care from a Stephen Minister...

  • receive quality Christian care;
  • deepen their relationship with their Lord;
  • grow in their desire to participate in Christian community;
  • come to value ministry from a lay person while continuing their contact with the pastor.

Stephen Ministry enables our congregation to grow as a warm, loving, nurturing community where people are cherished and cared for in Jesus Christ and identifies our congregation to the community as a place where people’s needs are taken seriously.


Stephen Ministry Enhances our Outreach by...

  • creating a “caring ministry explosion” where many instead of are offering God’s loveand care in intentional, systemic ways;
  • enabling our congregation to grow as a warm, loving, nurturing community where people are cherished and cared for in Jesus Christ;
  • identifying our congregation to the community as a place where people’s needs are taken seriously.

retreatNew Beginnings House

The New Beginnings Ministry is just that. It provides a new beginning for a woman and her children emerging from an abusive relationship, substance dependency, or other destructive situation. From the day the woman and her children enter our program, they’re surrounded by people who provide affordable housing, financial counseling, emotional support and Christian fellowship. The NBM team serves as mentors to the family, meeting frequently to listen and guide them through the steps to independence and a renewed sense of self-worth. It’s an exciting and very rewarding opportunity to witness God moving in the life of a family. Our New Beginnings House, at 119 South Decatur Street, is next door to the church on the church grounds.

 

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