Trained Stephen Ministers from retirement community continue to reach out to the pastoral needs of residents
For more than 10 years, The Stephen Ministries has been a part of Longwood at Oakmont, a Presbyterian SeniorCare Continuing Care Retirement Community in Plum. Since 2002, a team of Longwood at Oakmont’s residents have been trained and equipped to provide quality Christian one-on-one care to individuals in the community who are experiencing life difficulties — including the loss of loved ones, health issues, or lack of mobility; transitions such as moving from their old homes to Longwood at Oakmont, relocation within Longwood at Oakmont and adjusting to their new environment; terminal illness, loneliness, spiritual crisis, illness, hospitalization, and many more personal matters.
Founded in 1975 by the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Haugk, Ph.D., a pastor and clinical psychologist, The Stephen Ministries is a trans-denominational care giving ministry headquartered in St. Louis. There are 11,631 congregations or other organizations, representing 165 denominations, enrolled in the program across the United States and Canada — with an additional 24 countries with The Stephen Ministries’ congregations.
Approximately 600,000 people have been trained as a Stephen Minister in their church or organization. Before commissioning, Stephen Ministers receive 50 hours of training in Christian care giving skills. Continue Reading
