What are Stephen ministers?

Our congregation’s Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation who are experiencing difficulty in their lives. Pastors will always be the primary caregivers, but there is no way pastors can meet all the needs for care. God has called all of us, not just pastors, to minister to one another. Stephen Ministry multiplies ministry by turning the pastors into equippers so they can enable lay people to provide caring ministry as well.


Contact Pastor Fred Perez or Ron Sears, Stephen Leader for more information. Church office phone: 956-423-0540

who are stephen ministers and care receivers?

Stephen Ministers are lay church members who have received specialized training to offer individualized and confidential support to those going through tough times in life. Members of the congregation who are getting care from a Stephen Minister are known as Care Receivers.  These are individuals going through a trying time in their lives, whether it be a time of bereavement, divorce, job loss, a chronic or terminal illness, or another crisis.


are you going through a tough time - emotionally or spiritually?

God never intended us to go through these experiences alone. Consider allowing a Stephen Minister to walk with you. A Stephen Minister provides confidential one-on-one Christian care by listening, encouraging, praying, supporting, and walking beside you. Our Stephen Ministers are unique individuals who come from all walks of life, but they all share a passion for bringing Christ’s love and care to people during a time of need.

who can i contact to request a stephen minister

If you believe you or someone you know could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister, please urge them to contact Pastor Phillip Hoeflinger, Email: Phillip@fumcharlingen.org, or call 956-423-0540, to learn more about this compassionate ministry.

key guidelines for this caring relationship:

Men are matched with men; women with women. 

Each week, a Stephen Minister meets with a care receiver for about one hour.


When a care receiver's needs exceed what a Stephen Minister can provide, the Stephen Ministry team makes a referral to an appropriate health professional or other community resource.



Pictured below: Stephen Leader Ron Sears, Barbara Lyon, Nenetzin Cooper, Sharon Harper, Lucy Bennett, & Steven Hans