In the book of Acts, Stephen was chosen to provide caring ministry to those in need. Since 1975, millions of people have benefited from the one-to-one, Christ-centered care provided by Stephen ministers. Every year, these lay ministers at Peace also lead an outreach for any who struggle during the holiday season. Contact pastor@peacepcusa.com if you need compassionate care during this stressful pandemic. A Stephen Minister is happy to listen to you via phone, text, or videocamera conversation during this season.

Who are Stephen Ministers?

Stephen Ministers are congregation members trained by their Stephen Leaders to offer care to people who are hurting. A Stephen Minister typically has one care receiver at a time and meets with that person once a week for about an hour. Stephen Ministers often provide care for people in the broader community, so you do not need to be a member of Peace Church to receive care.

Who are care receivers?

Care receivers are individuals in the congregation or community who are going through a crisis or life difficulty. Potential care receivers first meet with a pastor or Stephen Leader, who assesses their needs for care and matches them with a Stephen Minister. The caring relationship lasts for as long as the need persists. Some common reasons for seeking a caring listener include grief, divorce, cancer, hospitalization, long-term care, chronic illness, terminal illness, job loss, loss of a home, military deployment, the onset of a disability, spiritual crisis, and many other life struggles.

In operation since 1999, this fully accredited, full service counseling facility offers many locations throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. Committed to helping people cope with their challenges, these professional counselors are licensed by the state of Florida and specialize in treating a wide range of mental health conditions.

Counseling at Peace

At Peace, we value holistic care for the mental and spiritual health of our neighbors. With that in mind, we recently added an office for Samaritan Counseling Services on our campus. Regardless of whether or not you worship at Peace, you may book appointments on with Sandy Pulos.