When people are going through a time of crisis, they often need a listening ear. That's the purpose of the Stephen Ministry program. 

Stephen Ministry is a program that has been adopted by a few churches in Winnipeg, including Grant Memorial Church.

"The purpose is to try to fill some of the gaps in terms of people who need someone to walk alongside them," said Sean Sagert, Director of Pastoral Care at Grant Memorial Church.

Congregants who go through the required 50 hours of training become Stephen Ministers. Each Stephen Minister is matched with a 'care receiver', never more than one at a time. Care receivers are people who are going through a crisis or a difficult period in their life. These include situations like losing a loved one, hospitalization, unemployment, and more.

"The role of a Stephen Minister is to be a listening ear, to be non-judgemental," Sagert explained. "They aren't there to solve the problem, they are there to be practical support."

Stephen Ministries started in 1978 after it's founder realized he couldn't care for the needs of his entire church by himself. Today, more than 13,000 congregations across the world are enrolled with Stephen Ministry.

Sagert says the power of the program comes from the Stephen Ministers themselves. They aren't trained counsellors or Bible teachers, but are everyday congregants, much like the people they meet with.

"Often in scripture we see God using regular, everyday people," he pointed out.

The relationships created last as long as the care receiver needs it, which can be anywhere from a few months to years. Currently, Grant has 30 Stephen Ministers who are matched up with 25 care receivers.

"One of the biggest things that happens (in a crisis) is they think they are in it alone," Sagert said. "When they connect with a Stephen Minister they realize that they aren't alone.

"They don't have an agenda other than that person's need."

Stephen Ministers continue to learn after their training, meeting regularly to discuss what they have learned. All of it is done under complete confidentiality.

One of the underlying mission's at Grant is to 'be the church,' and Sagert believes this is a great way to live that out.

"It enables us to be the church by empowering people that God is calling within our congregation and give them the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus."

The program has been running for 10 years at Grant Memorial and Sagert would love to see it continue.