Our Mission
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…” (Eph 4:11-13)
Our Ministry - Responding to Christ’s Command
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal 6:2)
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (Jn 15:12)
“Therefore, encourage one another and build up each other.” (1 Thes 5:11)
Using God’s Gifts to Serve Those in Need
“He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God.” (2 Cor 1:4-5)
“If you open your heart to the hungry, and provide abundantly for those who are afflicted, your light will shine in the darkness, and your gloom will be like the noon.” (Is 58:10)
The genesis of Stephen Ministry is seen in the book of Acts...
Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and six others were chosen to aid the Apostles in providing caring ministry to those in need. Since the time of the Apostles, caring ministry has been a hallmark of the Christian faith community.
Today, Stephen Ministry continues this tradition of caring by providing one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their life.
Millions of people in more than 13,000 Christian churches throughout the United States, Canada, and thirty other countries have benefited from Stephen Ministry since its founding in 1975. We have had an active Stephen Ministry at Santa Catalina Parish for over 12 years.
Stephen Ministry is founded on pillars of compassion, grace-based acceptance, listening, trust, and confidentiality.
Through distinctively Christian, one-to-one caring relationships, Stephen Ministers walk faithfully with those who are hurting on their journey to wholeness.
We meet the needs of individuals in a variety of life situations, such as being homebound, suffering the loss of a loved one, loneliness, prolonged illness, disability, rehabilitation, spiritual crisis, or divorce, as well as experiencing job loss, a recent move, or other stressful circumstances.