Care Receivers Tell Their Stories

Benedictine Communities exhibit two characteristics; compassion and hospitality. We are compassionate to one another. For our community, Anam Cara (Celtic for Soul Friend) offers a base for our compassionate nature. We are paired Brother to Brother and Sister to Sister to come alongside one another as we journey along life’s path. This compassionate care is simply a ministry of presence to assure one another that we are never alone. Stephen Ministry is our way to equip us to provide that ministry of presence well. It is a thorough education and experience that has proven its effectiveness for more than 40 years in more than 180 Christian faith traditions in more than 30 countries.  

Our Brothers and Sisters also have the opportunity to show hospitality to others who are hurting, lonely, or disoriented by life trauma. Stephen Ministry equips us to serve others well. You may be asking, “What is a Stephen Minister?”

A Stephen Minister comes alongside a hurting person and meets with that person on a weekly basis to listen, care, encourage, pray, and provide emotional and spiritual support. Men are paired with men; women with women.

Over the years, well over one-and-a-half million people have benefited from the one-to-one, Christ-centered care of a Stephen Minister. This care is entirely confidential—no one knows the identity of a care receiver except for his or her Stephen Minister and the pastor or Stephen Leader who paired the two together. The care receivers featured here stepped forward willingly to share their stories.