Care Ministry
In all of the seasons of life Second Baptist believes in journeying together. Our caring ministries seek to answer Christ’s call of rejoicing with those who rejoice, weeping with those who weep, and bearing one another’s burdens. In our caring ministries you can help people realize what the Psalmist writes in Psalm 147:3, “The Lord heals the brokenhearted…”
STEPHEN MINISTRY
The name Stephen comes from St. Stephen who was the first layperson commissioned by the apostles to provide caring ministry to those in need. As a congregation, it is our desire to provide quality, one-on-one care for members of our congregation who are travelling through some of those difficult times that life brings.
Training for Stephen Ministry consists of 50 hours of quality class time during which topics such as listening, feelings, assertiveness, confidentiality, as well as ministering to people in specific situations such as divorce, terminal illness, grief, and childbirth are all covered.
Stephen Ministers Provide Distinctively Christian Care
Most important, Stephen Ministers rely on God to direct their actions and help them as they care for their care receivers. Stephen Ministers pray for their care receivers and may pray with them when they welcome prayer. Stephen Ministry care is based on grace; Stephen Ministers strive to be the face of Christ to their care receivers. Friendships may have a spiritual perspective, but Stephen Ministry relationships always do. The Stephen Minister is always sensitive to the care receiver’s needs in this aspect, never forcing prayers or Bible verses into the relationship. But Stephen Ministers often focus on spiritual as well as emotional and psychological hurts as they minister to their care receivers.
If you have a friend who might benefit from this confidential ministry, ask permission to give their name to a pastor who will then talk with him/her and decide whether Stephen Ministry or some other sort of pastoral care would be appropriate. If Stephen Ministry is the choice, our referral coordinator will then visit and assign a Stephen Minister.Christ modeled for us the caring that we as Stephen Ministers want to share.
It would be our joy and privilege to have the opportunity to serve.
Contact: Mike Lassiter, Associate Pastor
mlassiter@2bcliberty.org / 781-2824 ext. 307
GOOD SHEPHERDS
The primary function of our GOOD SHEPHERD team is to minister to senior members of our congregation and provide a link between the congregation and those who cannot attend church services on a regular basis. Good Shepherds are volunteers who help Second Baptist stay in contact with homebound and care center members once a week. Through phone calls, letters or personal visits this friendly contact helps those unable to regularly participate stay connected to our faith family. Volunteers can choose a day per month or multiple days a month to assist with this caring ministry.
If you are interested in visiting, sending notes or cards, or participating in any other way, click here to learn more.
Prayer Ministry
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7).
A Second Baptist prayer list is updated weekly and posted on the website for members to access for daily prayers. There you may also submit a request or contact Maggie Henderson at mhenderson@2bcliberty.org. Second Baptist also has a team of volunteers who form a weekly prayer team. This team meets Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m. and prays for any specific requests, prays for those on the weekly Second Baptist prayer list, and prays for our church. All are welcome to be a part of this prayer team.