~A Brief Explanation of Stephen Ministry ~

   The Stephen Ministry was formed in 1975 by Rev.  Kenneth C. Haugk, Ph.D.  He was fresh out of seminary and graduate school in clinical psychology and he had high hopes for providing pastoral care to his congregation and community because that was where his gifts were and that was why he felt called to the pastoral church—to bring Christ’s love to hurting people.

    Dr. Haugk soon learned he did not have the time to provide pastoral care for his entire congregation. So he sought a solution.  It took years to develop, but from his efforts, was born the Stephen Ministry.  Stephen Ministry trains committed lay ministers to provide pastoral care to those in need, thus extending the reach of pastors to their congregations.

     Today there are more than 11,000 congregations from 150 Christian denominations, in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces and 23 other countries that have an operating Stephen Ministry program.   More than 500,000 Stephen Ministers have been commissioned since the program began.

     Trinity’s Stephen Ministry program began in 1997 and currently has 20 commissioned Stephen Ministers.  Each Stephen Minister has completed 50 hours of classroom training and attends required monthly continuing education classes. All Stephen Ministers also meet monthly for Peer Supervision.  This supervision program provides oversight to Stephen Ministers with care receivers to ensure progress is being made.

      Stephen Ministry reaches out to people experiencing personal difficulties or some crisis in their lives.  We serve both Trinity’s congregation as well as people within the general community.   Some of the areas that Stephen Ministers provide emotional and spiritual support  are:

terminal illness, health issues, family concerns, divorce, separation, loss of job, aging issues, loss of a loved one, birth, adoption, miscarriage, spiritual needs, grand-parenting concerns, family concerns, loneliness, discouragement & more

The process to obtain a Stephen Minister:

1. A Stephen Minister will first meet with a person requesting a Stephen Minister
2. It is then determined if a Stephen Minister should be assigned
3. A  form is signed outlining what Stephen Ministry does & does not do
4. After an assignment is made,  the assigned Stephen Minister will contact the person (known a the care receiver)
5. Each will talk and agree on a time and place to begin meeting
6. Meetings generally take place once a week for about an hour, but the frequency and time is determined by the needs of the individual
7. A Stephen Minister may work with an individual for a short time or the relationship may last longer than 1 year
8. The name of the care receiver is never known to anyone except the interviewing Stephen Leader and the assigned Stephen Minister
9. All work and conversations by Stephen Ministers are strictly confidential

Call Trinity at: 457.4841 or email: celeste.plassman@southporttrinity.org  to inquire further.

Christian Outreach

Christ taught us in Acts 1: Verse 8, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  Trinity offers many ways to put your talents and passions to work through our Christian Outreach Ministries.  If you have a passion that one of these doesn't fulfill start your own ministry.

"Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us daily"

- Sally Koch

Christian Support

At some point in our lives we all find ourselves in need of support.  Be it a personal tragedy or setback, illness, loss of job...etc.  Trinity offers many different Christian support ministries that will always be there for you in your time of need.

Christian Community Service

Ephesians 2:10 tells us: ”For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Trinity has many opportunities in the Southport / Brunswick county community and the world.  Explore these opportunities to see where you would like to help.

Youth & Childrens Ministry

Our purpose is to offer your children a place of wonder and discovery as they learn Bible truths. Our goal is to create an environment that is both educational and entertaining. We want to capture your child’s imagination, intrigue them, and set them on a course of discovery.

Music Ministry

There are many other opportunities for the church family to share their gifts during worship.  We use dance, flags, drama, puppets and both instrumental and vocal soloists to enhance our “passionate worship” every Sunday!  Come join the music family at Trinity and help us spread the love of Christ to the Southport community and the world.