Plymouth Magazine-Spring24-FINAL - Flipbook - Page 7
Brian Leckrone
Susan Raye
Plymouth member: 11 years
Plymouth member: 4 years
Stephen Minister: 9 years
Stephen Minister: 7 years
Why did you become a Stephen Minister?
It was not so much that I became a Stephen
Minster, as I was called to be a Stephen
Minister. If you read the teachings of Jesus,
what we do as Stephen Ministers is exactly
what all of us should be doing as followers
of Christ. I felt this calling very strongly
when I served as a Deacon at my church in DC, which is where I first
learned about the Stephen Ministry. When I moved to Des Moines,
and after joining Plymouth, learned that Plymouth had a Stephen
Ministry I knew then that I needed to be a part of this ministry. A
ministry that fits so well with Plymouth’s mission statement, Love of
God, Love of Neighbor, Love of Creation.
What Scripture, quote, or saying do you personally refer to when
faced with a challenging or difficult situation?
Romans 8:28 — “We know that all things work together for good for
those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
Micah 6:8 — “He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does
the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to
walk humbly with your God?”
Luke 10:25-28 — “An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’
he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What
is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You
shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as
yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this,
and you will live.’”
Matthew 5-7 — The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 25: 31-43 — Judgement of Nations
What would you like Plymouth to know about Stephen Ministers?
The Stephen Ministry and Stephen Ministers are here for you. To walk
with you when you are met with life challenges and just need someone
to stand with you. So many times, I have heard that people are hesitant
to request a Stephen Minister because they believe we are going to be
preaching at them, this is completely untrue. We do this walk without
any judgement. We are there to listen and ask questions. Stephen
Ministry has a very strong code of confidentiality, and we take this very
seriously. So put aside whatever preconceived notions you might have,
and when you are faced with something that just seems overwhelming,
call on the Stephen Ministry. There is no issue, big or small, that we
will not help you through.
Why did you become a Stephen Minister?
Space opened in my life, allowing me to
hear a call to be helpful one-on-one to
people going through a difficult time.
What Scripture, quote, or saying do you
personally refer to when faced with a
challenging or difficult situation?
Psalm 46:10 — “Be still and know I am God.”
“Know that you are a beloved child of God.”
“We belong to each other because we belong to God.”
What would you like Plymouth to know about Stephen Ministers?
Talking to someone in confidence somehow diffuses a troublesome
situation.
Nancy Williamson
Plymouth member: 15 years
Stephen Minister: 7 years
Why did you become a Stephen Minister?
Felt compelled to give back to the
Plymouth community and contribute to a
very worthy purpose within the church.
What Scripture, quote, or saying do you
personally refer to when faced with a
challenging or difficult situation?
Psalm 27:12 — “Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am
your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with
my right hand”
What would you like Plymouth to know about Stephen Ministers?
Stephen Ministry is a subtle but powerful source of support for any
member of our church. It is dedicated to the wellbeing of any who are,
in need of care and connection.
Charlotte Wilson
Plymouth member: 19 years
Stephen Minister: 2 years
Why did you become a Stephen Minister?
I hoped to learn to be a better listener and
to be able to better share God’s love with
those who are going through difficult times.
What Scripture, quote, or saying do you
personally refer to when faced with a
challenging or difficult situation?
I don’t have a scripture or saying. I simply rely on a lifetime of
learning that God’s love is with us always and nothing can separate is
from that love.
What would you like Plymouth to know about Stephen Ministers?
We are here to listen without judgment and to share God ‘s love with you.
Plymouth Magazine 7
