Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church will host a workshop for caring ministers to the hopeless.
The Stephen Ministry Introductory Workshop will be Sunday, Sept. 21, 9 am to 1 pm in the Light House Atrium.
The purpose is to introduce the Stephen Ministry to other churches in Lexington.
Since it started in 1974, more than 13,000 congregations have enrolled in the series.
And they have ministered to more than 1 million people.
Saxe Gotha started a Stephen Ministry 10 years ago.
It is a 1-on-1 caregiving ministry. Volunteers are lay members of the church who assist those during a difficult time in their lives.
Connections are matched by gender and everything is strictly confidential.
The Stephen Ministers plant a seed of hope and healing in a person who sees little hope because of crisis or tragedy.
The Stephen Ministers are naturally caring people who are willing to learn, grow and serve. They go through extensive screening and training in listening, responding and role play, before they work with individuals.
Carol Perrin, one of the Stephen Ministers, told me about a woman she has bonded with. She had lost her husband and was broken and in despair - to the point of questioning if God would help her.
After meeting with Carol for a year, she felt the Stephen Ministry had helped save her.
Do you feel led to begin this type of ministry at your church?
This workshop is a great place to get the necessary information and learn from others who have walked the same path. To register, please go to www.saxegotha.org/events .
You may contact Renee Starnes at SGPC with your questions rstarnes@saxegotha.org or 803-359-7770.
This is Chuck McCurry’s last Church Buzz column. He will continue working with area churches to help them advertise their messages to the community.