Stephen Ministry at PVLC-  In February, 2006, our congregation commissioned our first Stephen Ministers after 50 hours of training by our Stephen Leaders. We are now equipped and committed to serving our members with a caring ministry led by the laity of our congregation.

Stephen Ministries is a not-for-profit trans-denominational, religious and educational organization founded in 1975 in St. Louis, Missouri. It is staffed with dedicated pastors and laity from a variety of denominational backgrounds producing high-quality training and resources. Through their training material and guidance lay persons are equipped to provide one-on-one Christian care.

Who needs a Stephen Minister? People who are hospitalized ~The grieving ~ Those suffering loneliness or discouragement ~ The divorced or separated ~ Those who are dying—and their families and friends ~ Unemployed persons ~ People who are homebound or institutionalized ~ Those dealing with moving and the losses and challenges of relocating ~Parents grappling with loss when children leave home ~Those convalescing or rehabilitating ~ New parents ~ Single parents ~ Victims of natural or human-caused disasters ~ Those in a spiritual crisis ~many others…

Stephen Ministers are not professionals. If professional help is needed, Stephen Ministers are trained to become aware of this and make referrals. You will be matched up with a Stephen Minister of the same sex, and you must be over 21. All conversations are completely confidential. No one will even know you are seeing a Stephen Minister unless you yourself let others know. The length of the regular visits will continue as long as you want it, usually for several months, but may be shorter or longer durations.