Guided By Grace: Stephen Ministry Helped Me Heal

Hello Sweet friends! 👋

What an absolute whirlwind of gratitude and joy it’s been since launching this space and connecting with you—whether you’re just around the corner or reading from afar. The Holy Spirit has been moving powerfully through these first few blog posts and creative moments I get to share with you here. 🙏💖

🎄 The Holidays: A Time of Joy… and “Stuff”

As Christmas draws near (the holiest of holy days! 💫), life can feel like a beautiful mess. Some of us get tangled in family drama (I see you!), while others might be quietly struggling with loss or unexpected changes. If you’re feeling tension, sadness, or even a little alone, please know—you're in good company, truly loved, and never alone. 💌

🌄 The Valleys Are Real—You Are Not Alone

Recently, I went live on TikTok with my dear friend Barry Spears (a faithful Stephen Minister & part of the leadership team ❤️). We opened up about those “valley moments” that life throws our way:

• 🤕 Medical diagnoses & tough health news

• 🕊️ Loss of a loved one (or “unbeloved”—closure is so tricky)

• 🧩 Relationship changes—marriage, friendships, jobs, family dynamics

Sometimes these feelings are just too big for our closest circle. 💭 That’s when it helps to have a safe, caring person—someone outside our immediate crew—ready to listen with an open heart.

🌳 My Lifeline: Discovering Stephen Ministry

Here’s where things get really personal. In 2018, I found myself in a difficult season. Moving to Georgia had brought up deep homesickness—a longing for a home that no longer existed and for family connections I missed more than I realized. This sense of disconnection reopened wounds from losing my dad, especially as I found myself turning to Scripture for comfort.

I’d once asked my dad to do his best to hold on until after my birthday. My Heavenly “Abba Father” honored that prayer. My dad passed away just days later, on January 3rd, 2012—and my heart broke all over again.

Fast forward to December 2023, and my marriage entered a season of separation. The pain and questions only grew.

It was during these valleys—these raw, aching chapters—that God reached out to me through Stephen Ministry. I vented, cried, screamed, and wrestled with my emotions, yet my Stephen Minister stood by me—calm, present, and unshaken—no matter what I was feeling. Their steady, compassionate support made all the difference when the waves of grief and anger hit hardest.

🤲 So, What Is Stephen Ministry?

Stephen Ministry was founded in 1975 by Dr. Kenneth Haugk—a pastor and clinical psychologist—with one mission at heart: to provide one-to-one, Christ-centered care for anyone walking through life’s valleys. 🤲✨

No matter your background or where you are on your spiritual journey, Stephen Ministry is here for you—whether you’re facing grief, illness, divorce, job loss, loneliness, or a major life transition. 🌱💔🩺 You don’t need to belong to a particular church; support is open to all. 🌍

Stephen Ministers aren’t professional counselors—they’re compassionate church members who complete over 50 hours of specialized training in listening, confidentiality, and caring for others through crisis. 🧑‍🎓❤️ Their gift? Simply showing up, being present, and offering faith-based support rooted in Christ-like love. Think of them as prayer warriors who step into your story with empathy—not advice. No “fixing,” no preaching—just being with you in your hurt. 🛡️🙌

For your comfort, women are paired with women and men with men. 🚻💬 Most Stephen Ministers meet with their care receivers weekly for about an hour—a safe, confidential space where you’re free to be fully yourself. 🫶🤗

If you’re looking for a compassionate ear or curious to learn more, Stephen Ministry can be your lifeline through the valley. 🌄🕊️

⛪ Across Denominations: God’s Love Knows No Borders

There was a time I wondered if I really “qualified” as a care receiver—especially since Stephen Ministry started in the Lutheran tradition. God quickly showed me His love knows no labels or borders!

My testimony began in a beautifully unconventional way with Reverend Sheri Smith, Associate Pastor (now a retiree 🙏🏽). Her wisdom, patience, and genuine faith blessed me through deep-dive Bible studies 📖 and one-on-one sessions. Together, we explored every book the Lord laid on our hearts.

From there, my faith journey brought me (by God’s leading!) under the wings of Andy Stanley’s church—officially “non-denominational” 🏡, but connected to Baptist , roots through his father, Charles Stanley (may he rest in peace 🕊️). When I say “graduated,” I mean I literally spent 2-3 years soaking up every Sunday message, eventually “running out” of new content!

SO I hopped over to his best friend’s church: Louie Giglio’s Passion City Church in Buckhead, Georgia, where ‘retired’ Sheri is now part of their volunteer hands.

But my soul craved even MORE—Sunday best, every day! Then, unexpectedly, into the loving embrace of the Roman Catholic Church. For about 6-7 months, I learned the ‘order of the Mass’ with another amazing Catholic convert, Angie KC. I thought I had missed my chance for confirmation and the Lord’s Supper, but God said otherwise—the journey continued! ✝️🍞🍷

By Fall 2020, I started RCIA (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). God took me seriously, even when I doubted myself—His compassion never asked for credentials or a perfectly cleared path. 🚦💗

Through all my valleys and baggage, God was ready—ahead of me and for me—sending just the right people and, eventually, the caring presence of Stephen Ministers. My first experience was via Sheri. Later, God brought me Stephen Ministers through a Catholic parish!

Special thanks and love to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart in Ankeny, Iowa, for training so many Stephen Ministers to care in this unique way. 🤍

💞 You Don’t Have to Walk Alone

If you’re in a valley right now—whatever it looks like—I hope you let this truth sink deep: You’re not a burden. You’re not invisible. God loves you wildly, just as you are, and support is closer than you think. 💛✨

If you’re curious about Stephen Ministry, or longing for someone to walk beside you in this season, visit their website 🌐 or talk to a caring leader at a local church. You do not have to journey alone.

🌸 With Childlike Faith,

Connie Hill

Founder, God’s Toddler

P.S. I have to leave you with the song that completely wrecked me this Sunday night as I typed these words:🎶 'God, I’m Just Grateful for You' by Elevation Worship 🎶

“Who am I that You keep me on Your mind?

God, I’m just grateful for You (hey)

God, I’m just grateful for You

All my life, You’ve been right here by my side

God, I’m just grateful for You

God, I’m just grateful for You (who am I?)…

You ARE loved. You ARE seen. You HAVE/WILL survive—and you ARE never without hope. 💫🤗

National Christian Prayer Lines

1. Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Prayer Line

   
   

   📞 1-888-388-2683 (24/7)

2. TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) Prayer Line

   
   

   📞 1-714-731-1000 (24/7)

3. CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) Prayer Center

   
   

   📞 1-800-700-7000 (24/7)

4. Joel Osteen Ministries Prayer Line

   
   

   📞 1-888-567-5635 (24/7)

5. Upper Room Living Prayer Center

   
   

   📞 1-800-251-2468 (Monday–Friday, 7am–11pm, Saturday, 9am–5pm CST)

6. Guideposts OurPrayer Prayer Line

   
   

   📞 1-800-521-8011 (Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm EST)

7. Silent Unity Prayer Line

   
   

   📞 1-816-969-2000 (24/7)

   
   

   or 1-800-NOW-PRAY (1-800-669-7729) (24/7)

Works Cited

Crossroads 24-Hour Prayer Centre. Crossroads Prayer Centre, www.crossroads.ca/247prayer. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025

Elevation Worship. “‘God I’m Just Grateful for You’ | Elevation Worship.” YouTube, uploaded by Elevation Worship, 5 Nov. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WF6NoywfII. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.

National Christian Prayer Line. National Christian Prayer Line, www.nationalprayerline.org. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.

Spears, Barry. Personal interview. Conducted by Connie Hill, 20 December. 2025, 9:00-9:30 a.m. CT, Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.

Stephen Ministries. “Stephen Ministry.” Stephen Ministries, www.stephenministries.org/stephenministry/default.cfm/917?mnbsm=1. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.

Upper Room Prayer Line. The Upper Room, www.upperroom.org/prayer. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.