Hurting? Struggling? Discouraged? Stressed? Confused? Broken? 

We all experience challenges in life; times when we could benefit from the support of a caring Christian friend. Stephen Ministers are ready to provide the emotional and spiritual care we need when faced with a crisis or difficulty, such as: loss of a loved one, hospitalization, divorce or separation, loneliness or discouragement, spiritual crisis, unemployment or job crisis, terminal illness, birth (miscarriage or infertility) or adoption, chronic illness, relocation, recovery after an accident or disaster and many more. 

What is Stephen Ministry? 

Our congregation’s Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-on-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. 

A Stephen Minister is…

A child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting. 

A congregation member with gifts for caring, who was carefully selected for this role. 

A lay person who has received 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care. 

A dedicated individual who meets twice monthly in a large group for devotionals and continuing educational studies provided by health care and other respected professional in our community.

A dedicated individual who participates in small group supervision that emphasizes complete confidentiality in all sessions. 

A caring Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports and encourages. 

Someone who will “be there” for his or her care receiver, meeting faithfully for about an hour each week, for as long as there’s a need.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 

Stephen Ministry Comes Alongside Your Pastor

Pastors will always be on the front lines of care, especially during times of crises. But there are always many more needs for ongoing, one-to-one care than pastors can’t effectively meet themselves. Stephen Ministers provide a biblical solution—equipping God’s people for ministry. Gifted lay people are trained to support and extend the care that pastors continue to provide. Stephen Ministers reach out with God’s love to people who are hurting—both congregation members and nonmembers alike. 

“To equip the saints for the work of ministry” Ephesians 4:12a 

Stephen Ministry is YOUR Ministry

You play an important role in our Stephen Ministry, Here’s what you can do: 

-Pray for God to bring hope and healing to hurting people through our Stephen Ministry. 

-Accept care from a Stephen Minister during your time of need. God doesn’t expect you to bear your burdens alone. 

-Tell a friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative who is hurting about our Stephen Ministry. 

“Therefore encourage one another and build up each other.”      -1Thessalonians 5:11 

Stephen Leaders Are…

Trained leaders in our congregation who oversee and direct our Stephen Ministry. Stephen Leaders also complete an additional 50 hours of educational and supervisory training. 

If you or someone you know could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister or have any questions about Stephen Ministry please contact one of the following Stephen Leaders: 

Richard Darnell (405) 317-3401 or email at richardhdarnell@msn.com Carole Sue Muller (405) 721-6518 or email at: ramuller1@cox.net 

Or contact one of the following Church staff:

Rev. Dr. Randall Spindle, Preaching Minister (405)524-2224 Ext.229 or email at rspindle@snu.edu. 

Ferrelyn Oakes, Pastoral Care (405) 524-2224 Ext.227 or email at ferrelyn@wpcokc.org. 

Active Stephen Leaders

Tim Cheek, Richard Darnell, Glenn Dunn, Ed Jezek, Carole Sue Muller, Susan Seely, Mary Stanley & Mary Truss. 

Emeritus Stephen Leaders

Don Bobzien, Kathy Cross, & Patti Leeman

Emeritus Stephen Minister 

Jack Graves

Active Stephen Ministers

Bob Bowles, Rhonda Hefton, Wentz Miller, Janet Mitchell, Shirley O’Bannnon, Glen Dahl, Kim Doty, Susan Edwards, Susan Hickox, Nancy Riddell, Stephen Tkach, Dana Seaton,, Juanita Jezek, Jane Krizer, Bill Mowery, Jean Walters, Susan Hager, Patsy Hosman, Margaret Ihrig, Gil Mitchell & DeNean Tkach.

Stephen Ministries, St. Louis supports Westminster Presbyterian’s Stephen Ministry. It is a not-for-profit, Christian educational organization based in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1975, Stephen Ministries provides training and resources to thousands of congregations and organizations worldwide. The Stephen Series serves 11,000 congregations, 150 different denominations, with over one million care receivers and trained 500,000 as Stephen Ministers. For more information go to www.stephenministries.org.