First Presbyterian Church of
525 N. Broadway
http://www.firstpresbywichita.org
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What is it? – History – Who can be helped? |
History
In Acts
chapter 6 we learn the story of Stephen.
The leaders of the early church had already determined that their responsibility
was for preaching and teaching the Word of God and they needed help caring for
the poor. Stephen a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit was among seven
trusted men in their congregation who were chosen to help with the care of the
poor. The apostles laid on hands and
commissioned the seven for their task.
In 1974
Kenneth Haugk, a pastor and clinical psychologist, began Stephen Ministry in
his congregation in St. Louis, Missouri for much the same reasons as the early
leaders of the church. Kenneth Haugk
found that the need for care by far exceeded that which he alone could
provide. After meeting with friends the
conversation turned to Ephesians 4 “equipping the saints for the work of
ministry”. At that point Haugk realized
that God didn’t intend for pastors to monopolize ministry, rather God gave all
his people gifts for ministry. In
November of 1975 the Stephen Ministries organization began bringing Stephen
Ministry to other congregations. Today
over 9,000 churches and 100 Christian denominations has Stephen Ministry.
In 1986
Mary Ellen Williford heard about Stephen Ministry in other congregations and
felt that First Presbyterian Church would benefit from such a program. She spoke to then pastor George McCall who
embraced the idea and together they went to the Stephen Ministry Leader
training. With those first Stephen
Leaders the Stephen Ministry began at First Presbyterian Church. From 1986 till 1997, 19 Stephen Leaders and
93 Stephen Ministers were trained and commissioned and 241 people within our
congregation received care.
And now a
New Beginning. Tony Bove and Lynn
Buchanan were commissioned as Stephen Leaders at First Presbyterian Church on
September 24, 2006. Tony and Lynn have
met with and updated Stephen Leaders and are meeting with Stephen Ministers who
are willing to recommit and to start work this fall as Caregivers. From the congregation, Tony and Lynn ask for
the continued prayers and support .
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Stephen Ministry Links |
What is it? – History – Who can be helped? |
© First Presbyterian Church of Wichita 2007
525 N. Broadway
Phone: (316) 263-0248 – Fax: (316) 263-3237
Questions, Comments, Constructive Criticism
don’t hesitate to email Shawn