Stephen Ministry

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted. He helps those whose spirit is crushed.” – Psalm 34

Sometimes It’s Hard To Ask For Help
We’re brought up to be strong, self-sufficient, and independent people. We tend to think that if we ask for help, it is a sign of weakness. So, we try to keep our struggles hidden, stuffed deep inside. However, that’s not God’s plan. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” God wants us to care for others – and allow others to care for us in our time of need.

If you’re sad or struggling inside, don’t suffer alone. Ask for help. We’ve got a team of Stephen Ministers who are ready to listen, care, encourage, pray, and help you through a tough time. (It’s confidential, too!) Our Stephen Ministers have been trained to provide one-to-one confidential Christian care to persons in need, at their request. Stephen Ministry is an extremely confidential national ministry founded in 1975 in St. Louis by Dr. Kenneth Haugk and is in over 12,000 congregations in the U.S., Canada and 24 other countries. Click here to learn more about this international ministry.

Stephen Ministers are trained for six months to provide confidential one-on-one care-giving to any individual 18 years or older who needs to talk to someone.  Stephen Ministers do not provide answers, but they will pray with you and/or for you.  Stephen Ministers will guide and listen to you, and they are a reflection of God’s love for you.

Have you or loved ones experienced a loss and need help growing through the grief process? Our Grief Support Ministry is a bereavement and educational support group for individuals and families experiencing grief or other losses. Click this link to learn more about “Life After Loss.”

YOU can play an important role in our Stephen Ministry…because you may know of a friend, neighbor, co-worker or relative who is going through a difficult time and who could benefit from the focused care, encouragement, and support of a Stephen Minister.  If you know of someone who is hurting, talk with one of our Stephen Leaders.  They can talk with you about how we can connect the person you know with one of our Stephen Ministers. It’s a great way for you to show how much you care!

Stephen Ministry has been active at White Rock since 2003, and although a Christian Ministry we support the community.  What that means is that if someone is not saved, or of a different religion, while we will pray for them if it is their choice, we will not talk spirituality with them.   For more information, click this link to contact one of our Stephen Ministry Referral Coordinators, Shirl Davis, Ann Penn or Rev. Regina Mitchell. They direct this ministry for our congregation and will be happy to connect you with one of our Stephen Ministers.  Our currently active Stephen Ministers are Venel Brown, Kathryn Jordan-Pierce, Deacon Earle Manhertz, Lynda Curtis, Birdie Midgette, Deaconess Aleta Broussard, Deaconess Saundra Hartsfield, Deacon Ron Oldham, Curtis Walker, Dr. Bridgette Coles-McAden, Deaconess Joyce Blackwell, and Meredythe Holmes.

Our Stephen Ministers care!

YOU ARE NOT ALONE; WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

“Life After Loss” is a grief support ministry that provides a safe space where confidentiality, compassion, and respect are essential values. Small group discussions are led by trained facilitators who guide and encourage participants as they grow through the grief process. Meetings are intended to offer hope and a listening ear and are not professional therapy. Grief is a journey and sometimes professional counseling is necessary. If you want to speak to a professional, we can help you find someone. If you are interested in participating in Life After Loss, please complete the registration form at the bottom of this page.

Mission Statement: Our Grief Support Ministry is a bereavement and educational support group for individuals and families experiencing grief or other losses, sponsored by the White Rock Stephen Ministry (click for details about Stephen Ministry). Our mission is to support those suffering from a loss. Our aim is to provide a confidential and safe environment where people can share and process their grief with others facing similar losses.

Sample Subjects Covered in Small Group Discussion:

• Understanding Grief: Will I ever be Normal Again?
• The Spiritual Journey: I Feel so Alone
• Loss, Grief and Identity: Living without Them
• Coping with Grief: Learning to Live Again
• Writing through Grief: Wounded Writers
• Complicated Grief: Anniversaries, Holidays, Birthdays, and Special Occasions
• Adjusting to a New Normal: Living Life after Loss

The meetings will be held 7:00-8:30 pm. twice a month on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month. They will be held virtually, via Zoom. Please note that all participants will be required to be on camera at all times during each meeting. This is an open program, with each week standing on its own. Come when you can. We encourage you to invite friends, family members, or neighbors experiencing grief to join us.

This program is free and open to all who have experienced a loss. If you would like more information, please click this link to contact Rev. Regina Mitchell or Sister Shirl Davis Kidd.

If you are interested in participating in Life After Loss, please complete the registration form below. This information is used only by Life After Loss to contact you and keep records of who is participating. It will not be released to others.