Stephen Ministers; Prayer Ministries

The ministers of Vista de la Montaña are the congregation.

  

Stephen Ministers

• Are you lonely or discouraged?
• Do you or a family member in your home have a chronic illness or disability?
• Are you grieving the loss of a loved one?
• Are you going through the losses associated with aging?
• Are you facing a major life transition?
• Are you homebound?

These are but a few of the many scenarios when you or someone near you might benefit from having a Stephen Minister — for a few weeks, months, or even years. A Stephen Minister is a child of God who walks beside a hurting person. He/she is a caring Christian friend who really listens. All conversations/visits are strictly confidential. A Stephen Minister is NOT a counselor or therapist, a problem-solver, or a casual visitor. We know that God is the Curegiver; Stephen Ministers are called to be Caregivers.

Consider allowing a Stephen Minister to walk with you on your journey, to listen to your concerns, anxieties, anger, confusion, and feelings of helplessness. If you would like to know more about how you or someone close to you could become a care receiver of one of Vista’s trained Stephen Ministers, please call Jon Leonard, Mary Louise Roberson, or Jim Hilgendorf. Open yourself to the possibility of receiving this service, given in strict confidentiality and with distinctively Christian care.

Stephen Ministry is a program of our congregation that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one-to-one care to those who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances, both in our congregation and community. Stephen Ministers are committed Christian people who

• express God’s care through their lives to others;
• receive 50 hours of initial training in important caring ministry skills and concepts;
• are commissioned as Stephen Ministers after completing their initial training;
• visit another person regularly and dependably and offer Christian support and care;
• participate in regular support and supervision under the guidance of trained Stephen Leaders;
• are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship;
• serve for at least two years; and
• receive continuing education and skill building throughout their years of service.

  

Prayer Ministries

Vista de la Montaña offers several different prayer ministries. During Lent, we have Lenten Scripture Calendar on which you may “register” to come to the Chapel, to read the Bible and meditate, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Click here for a link to the UMC 24-hour Living Prayer site.

• Intercessory Prayer Team
• Prayer Chain Ministry
• Tele-Care Phone Ministry
• Prayer Vigils

The Intercessory Prayer Team meets on Wednesday mornings, accepting all kinds of prayer requests for all kinds of needs. The Team prays in strict confidence for individuals and for situations that are brought to the team.

The Prayer Chain provides intercessory prayer in time of greatest need.

The Tele-Care Phone Ministers are church members trained by the pastor or the Tele-Care Coordinator. Regular monthly phone calls are made to the congregation to show love and encouragement, and to take prayer requests, becoming a communication link between the congregation and the pastor.

Prayer Vigils are a concentrated time of prayer, usually one or two days in a row.

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