Ward’s Chapel Supports Local and Worldwide Missions​​

Our Mission at Ward's Chapel ~ 
Praising God, Offering Hospitality, Growing Disciples, Sharing the Word, Serving Others

Baltimore County Work Camp's mission is to share the love of Christ by improving the homes of and providing assistance for some limited income families in Baltimore County, Maryland.

CAMP HOPE Inc. helps needy families and individuals in and around Allegany County to upgrade their homes and forms a covenant community in which they explore and share their Christian faith.

Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) is an outreach ministry of God's people transforming a renewable God-given resource into food for the hungry.

Friendship Beyond Borders supports Syrian refugee children in UN camps in Jordan, by providing educational facilities with internet connection, classrooms, TV, and basic educational resources.

Heifer International is a non-profit organization whose goal is to help end world hunger and poverty through self-reliance & sustainability.

Samaritan's Purse is an International Christian relief and evangelism organization provides spiritual and physical aid to victims of war, poverty, natural disaster, and disease.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief Providing relief in disaster areas, aiding refugees, and confronting the challenge of world hunger and poverty.

Ward's Chapel Food Pantry's mission is to eliminate hunger, promote nutrition and health, and give hope to those feeling hopeless in our community.

View our 2024 Mission Auction Sponsors and Donors

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Ward’s Chapel Food Pantry

Open 9 - 11 am on the third Saturday of each month.

Our Food Pantry's mission is to gather and provide food and personal and home care items for members of our church and the community to eliminate hunger, promote nutrition and health, and give hope to those feeling hopeless.

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." ~ Matthew 25:35​

Much Needed Items

tuna 
chicken 
peanut butter 
jelly
paper towels
toilet paper

Complete List of Items to Donate

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Ward’s Chapel Stephen Ministry​​

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What Is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry is the one-to-one lay caring ministry that takes place in congregations that use the Stephen Series system.

Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting.

How Stephen Ministry Works
The best way to understand how Stephen Ministry works is to learn about three groups of people involved in this ministry: Stephen Leaders, Stephen Ministers, and care receivers.

​Stephen Leaders establish and direct Stephen Ministry in a congregation. They:

• build awareness of Stephen Ministry within the congregation and community
• recruit and train Stephen Ministers
• meet with potential care receivers to assess their needs
• match care receivers with Stephen Ministers
• ​provide Stephen Ministers with ongoing supervision and continuing education

People learn to serve as Stephen Leaders by attending a Leader’s Training Course—a one-week conference that introduces the resources used to lead Stephen Ministry, develops key skills, and gets people excited about this caring ministry. Most congregations begin with two to four Stephen Leaders, typically including a pastor, possibly another church staff person, and one or more lay leaders.

Stephen Ministers
Stephen Ministers are congregation members trained by Stephen Leaders to offer high-quality, one-to-one Christian care to people going through tough times. A Stephen Minister usually provides care to one person at a time, meeting with that person once a week for about an hour. Twice a month, Stephen Ministers gather with their Stephen Leaders for supervision and continuing education.

Care Receivers
Care receivers are congregation members and others in the community who receive care from a Stephen Minister. These are people struggling through a difficult time experiencing grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or some other life crisis.

Some important guidelines for this caring relationship protect both the care receiver and the Stephen Minister:

• The relationship between a care receiver and a Stephen Minister is confidential.
• Men are matched with men; women with women.
• When a care receiver’s needs exceed what a Stephen Minister can provide, the Stephen Ministry team makes a referral to an appropriate mental health professional or other community resource.  This decision if made by the team, including the Pastor.

The Blessings of Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry multiplies blessings throughout the church and community.

• Congregations receive a practical and powerful way to respond to Christ’s commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12 RSV).
• Pastors have a team of gifted, trained, and committed lay caregivers ready to minister to hurting people (information for pastors).
• Laypeople nurture and use their gifts in meaningful ministry, growing spiritually as they serve others.
• People who are hurting have a compassionate companion—a caring Christian friend who provides emotional and spiritual support.

If you feel you would like to have a Stephen Minister or would like to become a Stephen Minister, please contact the Pastor or the Stephen Leaders at 410-922-6556.
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