Stephen Ministry is named after Stephen, who was one of the first lay persons the apostles commissioned to provide caring ministry to those in need (Acts 6).
Stephen Ministry began in St. Louis in 1975 and has since spread to more than 12,000 congregations from more than 150 Christian denominations throughout the United States and Canada and in 23 other countries. More than 500,000 people have been trained as Stephen Ministers, and more than 55,000 pastors and laypersons have been trained as Stephen Leaders. More than One Million people have received Stephen Minister care.