STEPHEN MINISTRY - GOD`S LOVE IN ACTION

Immanuel`s Stephen Ministry program began in 2006 with the first commissioning of our Stephen Ministers. Stephen Ministers are lay men or women who have been trained to offer distinctively Christian care and support to those in our congregation and community experiencing a crisis concerning their social, emotional, spiritual or other needs. They provide one-to-one care for individuals who are grieving, ill, or experiencing other stresses in their lives. Stephen Ministers are trained and supervised by Stephen Leaders, who are responsible for administering the program in our congregation.

The leadership team consists of Dan Canfield, Barbara Watkins and Pastor Kamprath. Stephen Ministry office hours are Wednesday from 8:30 -10:00 a.m., or other times by appointment. Please call 364-4525 if you have any questions about the program or if you feel that you could benefit from it.

Meet Barbara Watkins, our newest Stephen Leader. Following intensive leadership training, Barb was commissioned as a Stephen Leader in May. She brings extensive leadership experience and compassion to the program. Barb grew up in the Rolla area and was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel. As a Synodically trained teacher/principal, she served schools in Texas, Oklahoma, and Lockwood, MO. She was an elementary school counselor in St. James for 17 years, started preschools in St. James and Cuba, and then served one year at Immanuel Lutheran School as interim principal.

Barb believes that ``God has called us all into the priesthood of believers for salvation and ministry to one another. Through Stephen Ministry training, we have an opportunity to become confident and competent ministers to one another.``

We are pleased that Barb has joined Dan Canfield as a Stephen Leader, serving in the successful Stephen Ministry program at Immanuel.