Welcome to the South Bend Area 
Stephen Ministry Network home page

Stephen Ministry is a special ministry in which one Christian reaches out to another in time of need. It is an on-going helping relationship with scheduled regularity, dependability and confidentiality. Stephen Ministers are men and women who have developed their gifts for bringing the concern and care of Christ's community to people in need. They are not professional psychologists, social workers, or expert theologians. Nor do they replace the ministry of the pastor or priest.

Stephen Ministers receive approximately fifty hours of training based on solid theology and psychology before beginning their caregiving work. Once this Initial 50 Hours of Training has been completed, each Stephen Minister, through a referral process, is assigned to an individual experiencing a life crisis. They begin meeting for about one hour once a week. The Stephen Minister is also then assigned to a supervision group. Throughout their service, Stephen Ministers receive continuing education in a variety of related subjects.