If you've navigated this far, your curiosity is to be commended. Stephen Ministry exists to restore individuals to emotional and spiritual wholeness.

God has created us. God has provided all we need for daily life. God has also provided for our emotional and spiritual well-being.

Know this, that bad things happen to good people. Smarter people than I have spent their lifetimes trying to explain this. I will simply acknowledge that it's reality. That said, God is not silent in the bad times. There are few things to think about.

1. God does not want you to go through life alone. Adam had Eve. Jesus had his disciples. God has the Trinity. The Lone Ranger had Tonto. We weren't designed to be alone.

2. Jesus, being God himself, needed his friends. Facing his own death,  Jesus asked that his friends spend the night with him. If Jesus needed people, then we do all the more.

3. Rugged individualism is a lie. We're taught that the West was won buy rugged individuals. My family were pioneers. I can tell you the stories. I will also tell you of an abandoned homestead for fear of loneliness. It's my observation that when the hard times hit, people tend to withdraw, at the very time they need people the most.

4. We can't see around the corner, but God can. And, maybe there's someone out there who has been around the corner before you. Our Stephen Ministers have battled depression, death, cancer, inability to have children, a household full of children, unemployment, divorce, etc. A lot of us have been around the corner. We can help you navigate life.

So, you may ask, how does this work?

Stephen Ministers are specifically trained to help. They generally meet with you once a week, face-to-face, or by phone. They may or may not pray with you, but be assured, they are praying for you. And they are in this for the long haul. Your Stephen Minister will stick with you as long as you want.  Months. Years. Forever. That's what they have volunteered for. That is their heart's desire.  There are no books to buy. No study guides. No twelve steps. You will not have to stand up in front of a group. In fact, the only one who will even know your name is your Stephen Minister and I. Confidentiality is assured.

We listen, we talk, and we pray. It's that simple. It works miracles. I've seen the miracles.

If you want to talk about this, call me.

Mike Tanner, Stephen Leader.

847-746-6751