Since 2004 Epworth United Methodist church has offered Stephen Ministry as a confidential Christian care giving ministry. The volunteers who become Stephen Ministers are first gifted by God to provide prayer, a caring presence, and the skill of listening. Stephen Ministers additionally go through 50 hours of training to provide Christ-centered care for people going through difficult times. These one-on-one caring relationships are a way of representing Christ's presence in even the darkest of circumstances. Confidentiality is maintained throughout the caring relationship. The only way anyone will know that a Stephen Minister has been assigned to someone is if the care receiver him/herself tells other people. Also anything that is discussed remains confidential. Stephen Ministers provide quality care for the following: to the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, and others facing a crisis or life challenge. If you or someone you know might benefit from having a Stephen Minister, please don't hesitate to call Keith Badowski at 334 298-3186.

Stephen Ministries is a trans-denominational Christian education organization that provides high quality training and resources to strengthen and expand lay ministry in congregations. The mission of Stephen Ministries is to help congregations equip God's people for spiritual growth and Christ-centered, practical ministry in today's world. Since 1975, the 50-person staff of Stephen Ministries St. Louis has developed training and resources characterized by excellence, practicality, psychological integrity, and theological depth. Stephen Ministries offers courses and ministry systems to fit the needs of every Christian congregation and adult education ministry.