My name is Sylvia, and I want to share about my experience with Stephen Ministry in order to encourage anyone who is experiencing difficulties to know that it’s okay to accept help, and that there is hope.

Years ago, I lost my husband – Willy, to Leukemia, and it was, by far, the most difficult time in my life. We were married for 35 years, and had been together since I was in my teens. We grew up together, we raised a family, became grandparents, and were looking forward to many more years ahead.

After Willy’s death, I didn’t know what to do with my life. I went through the motion of taking care all the important matters, but inside, I felt like a boat. A boat that’s lost at sea, adrift, on a sea of grief, without anchor nor direction. I felt powerless to do anything, and my life was at a standstill.

However, God was faithful, and I got a phone call one day from Pastor Michael asking if I would like to receive grief counseling from Stephen Ministry. I said “YES, I would love to”, and thought to myself, “Thank you, God, you answered my prayer!”
​
My Stephen minister was wonderful; she visited me, prayed with me, studied the Bible with me, and mostly, listened to me. She helped me renew my faith, helped me become stronger through God’s love. I cannot express enough gratitude to God, to Chinese Baptist Church, and Stephen Ministry. My Stephen minister was my pilot who helped me find my way, and gently guided me back to shore.