St
ephen Ministry Facts and Statistics
Named for St. Stephen, the first layperson commissioned by the Apostles to provide caring ministry to those in need (Acts 6), Stephen Ministry is comprised of trained laypersons within local church congregations who are called by the Holy Spirit to minister to others. Below are some statistics related to this ministry.
More than a million people have been cared for by a Stephen Minister since 1975.
- Stephen Ministry began in 1975.
- The Stephen Series is now in more than 11,000 congregations from more than 150 Christian denominations, in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces, and 23 other countries.
- More than 60,000 pastors, church staff, and laypersons have been trained as Stephen Leaders (those who oversee and direct Stephen Ministry in the congregation) at a Stephen Series Leader's Training Course.
- More than 500,000 people have trained as Stephen Ministers in their congregations.
- More than a million people have received care from a Stephen Minister in a formal one-to-one Stephen Ministry caring relationship, and millions of others have received care from Stephen Ministers in informal ways.
