 Testimonies
Care
Receivers
“I
was diagnosed with Lymphoma in February 2005. After receiving
the Sacrament of the Sick from Father Don, Bobbie, the Stephen
Ministry Coordinator, gave me a lot of support and encouragement.
She referred me to a Stephen Minister at our church. I believe
that God sent my Stephen Minister to help carry me through this,
especially in the initial phase when I was dealing with accepting
the diagnosis. She prayed with me, offered support, and brought
me the Eucharist when I was too sick to come to Mass. After the
first chemo reaction she helped me face the challenges of depression
caused by moving to a new state and not having any family our
friends be with me through the treatments. Thank you, God, for
the love and compassion You have given me through this Stephen
Minister!!”
“What a blessing Stephen Ministry is for me and for the
parish! When I lost a loved one to death, I found myself alone
and lost. Everything changed. I don’t think people knew
how to deal with me. The platitudes they offered did not give
me comfort. All I wanted was for someone to listen to me share
the story of love. My Stephen Minister sat with me week after
week. This wonderful person held my grief and didn’t judge
me because of the pain that I was experiencing. When things were
really tough, I looked forward to my weekly visit, because I .knew
that I could be myself, wounded and empty. There were no easy
answers to the suffering of loss, but one thing was certain, I
had a friend to help me. Thank you, Stephen Ministry."
Stephen
Ministers
It
was written, "…as a child I thought like a child and
when I became an adult I cast away childish things." This
is how I feel about my walk as a Stephan Minister. My faith has
grown in leaps and bounds. I am stronger. I trust my Lord in all
things, in his plan for my life and that of my care receiver.
I pray more. I listen better. I hear beyond what is being said
to me. I see the person, as a whole gift from God. To quote St.
Francis of Assisi, "make me an instrument .....”
-Kelli Jo Stadlman, Stephen Minister
What does being a Stephen Minister mean to me?" I use the
skills we have learned in our classes all the time. It's like
Father Bob once said, "You don't have to look far to find
someone who is hurting." The Stephen Ministry classes have
made me sensitive so I hear pain, and have given me more understanding
of how to help the individual. I have especially become aware
of the elderly. I can see them more fully and completely, and
I am more comfortable talking to them.
-Gayna Rice, Stephen Minister
Launching the Stephen Ministry program here at Blessed John XXIII
University Parish has been a privilege. The Stephen Leaders and
Stephen Ministers have so much enthusiasm, care and understanding.
I find myself graced by their compassion and touched by their
sensitivity. In the midst of training, continuing education and
supervision, we have become a faith sharing group. When my mother
died, they stood by me, listening to me and praying for me. I
am grateful for these wonderful people and for Father don’s
support of this ministry.
-Bobbie Bonk, Coordinator of Stephen Ministry
Male
Stephen Ministers
“I
have always felt a need to serve; Stephen Ministry has equipped
me to be a real witness and servant of the Lord. I can’t
believe the joy I have received through Stephen Ministry.”
Jim from Minneapolis, Minnesota - Teacher
“Mercy and hospitality are two of my strongest spiritual
gifts. Stephen Ministry gives me the opportunity to exercise these
gifts and to continue to grow through my service to Christ.”
Dave from Virginia Beach, Virginia - Owner and manager of rental
properties
“Stephen
Ministry has provided me with a way to lead, teach, and serve
God with integrity. And I grow in the process. I also enjoy the
tremendous amount of comfort and support I get interacting with
my fellow Stephen Ministers.”
Ted from Scottsdale, Arizona - Restaurant owner
“Words can’t express the feeling I have in working
with a care receiver. God’s hand is truly present in each
relationship, and I get as much out of it as my care receiver
does. The needs of each caregiving assignment are different, but
the bottom line is more important, and more rewarding, than anything
else you’ll ever do!”
Ed from Greensboro, North Carolina - Retired
“As
a physician, I have observed many times the positive effect of
a simple gesture of concern for a patient’s well-being.
The greatest is that of a Stephen Minister being able to place
his hand on a care receiver’s shoulder and say, ‘May
God bless you!’”
Ben from Raleigh, North Carolina - Physician
“I
am a retired Navy pilot who recently attended the NCAA Final Four
Basketball Tournament. These things pale in comparison to the
everlasting importance of helping others as a Stephen Minister.
The Holy Spirit has allowed me to become a better listener and
I have been able to reach out to others because of what Jesus
did for me. I am indeed blessed!”
Jim from Virginia Beach, Virginia - Retired naval captain and
now active in volunteer ministries
“The
training component on Christian assertiveness didn’t just
help me to become a much better caregiver—it benefited me
in all aspects of my life.”
Mark from Macomb, Illinois - Farmer
“Whether you’re young or old, Stephen Ministry will
greatly enhance your life skills. My one regret is having not
become a Stephen Minister years ago.”
Robert from Omaha, Nebraska - Retired electric utility manager
“Society
sends out a message to take it like a man. But men, just like
women, sometimes have need to converse on a deeper, caring level.
As a Stephen Minister, I can help my care receiver do this. We
can rely on each other to exchange Christian caring without feeling
like we are not acting in a machismo manner. It is how God wanted
us to be.”
Roland from Naperville, Illinois - Express courier
“All
too often, men have no comfortable means to vent their emotions
or share their fears, doubts, and struggles. This can be a significant
deterrent to the healing process or to personal or spiritual growth.
Stephen Ministry provides a place where men can express their
feelings in a candid, confidential environment, thereby permitting
them to obtain the healing necessary to move on to a more productive
and satisfying life. To be part of this process is very meaningful.
Ronald from Virginia Beach, Virginia - CPA and executive director
of law firm
“I
learned so many wonderful lessons in Stephen Ministry training,
but the one that had the biggest impact on me is process versus
results. I am a businessman who has always been 100 percent results-oriented.
Stephen Ministry taught me the importance of the process and of
letting God bring about the results. I can’t always control
the outcome. Now I know I don’t have to. What a relief!”
Robert from Mobile, Alabama - Realtor
“I
recently was given an extraordinary opportunity to take over as
executive director of a nonprofit organization in trouble. I used
my Stephen Minister skills with the entire staff, including the
board, since grief was a major factor. By listening and caring
and using a process approach, it became a tremendous growth opportunity
for everyone involved.”
Don from San Antonio, Texas - Business owner
“My relationship with Christ has grown and grown and grown.
And I didn’t know that was possible until I became a Stephen
Minister. I know God is with me in my relationships. As I walk
up to my care receiver’s door, I feel the Holy Spirit’s
presence, and my nervousness leaves. I can rely on God to show
me what to do and to teach me to speak as Christ would speak to
my care receiver.”
Scott from Clarkston, Michigan - Sales representative
“Being
a Stephen Minister continues to help me grow in my understanding
of Jesus’s call to love and serve one another. I greatly
enjoy the relationships I have with my fellow Stephen Ministers
and my care receivers. Most of all, I have had the joy of seeing
firsthand the unfathomable depths of Christ’s love for us.”
Stephen from Portland, Oregon - Electrical engineer
“Stephen
Ministry has helped me become a more caring person—more
open, a better father to my children and grandchildren, and a
better husband. Stephen Ministry has also helped me feel better
about myself.”
Wayne from Big Rapids, Michigan - County Commissioner
"Stephen
Ministry is all about giving to others, but I can tell you I have
received far more than I have given. The benefits go on and on.
The skills I learned as a Stephen Minister have helped me at home
with my family, at work with my peers, and at church with other
Christians. Stephen Ministry also has brought many dear people
into my life whom I otherwise would never have met. I thank God
for pushing me in this direction and hope I will be able to give
something back in return for what I have received.”
Gil from Virginia Beach, Virginia - Real estate developer
“Stephen
Ministry has, without question, changed my life and my relationship
with God. Stephen Ministry allowed me to answer a long-resisted
call to serve God in a meaningful ministry. I have enjoyed every
aspect of this important ministry of distinctively Christian care.”
Michael from Pflugerville, Texas - Procurement manager
“Being a Stephen Minister has been a great step forward
in my faith journey. It has given me a way to live the life that
God wants me to live. It has been a wonderful experience.”
Donald from Athol, Massachusetts - Manufacturers representative
Copyright ©2000 by Stephen Ministries, St. Louis.
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