Bluefish Student Ministry
Bluefish are students serving as ministers for the campus community while developing their individual gifts. Each year a new class of Bluefish is trained as Stephen Ministers, an interdenominational system of pastoral caregiving for laypeople used in churches and ministries around the world. The training teaches a biblically-based and psychologically-sound approach to caring ministry. The Bluefish students who are commissioned as Stephen Ministers are prepared and equipped to truly care for the students, faculty, and staff that make up the PCcommunity.
Stephen Ministers provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care and support to people experiencing grief, job loss, depression, illness, divorce, relocation, and other life difficulties.
All of the Stephen Ministers listed below have been through 50 hours of training with even more hands-on experience. They are trained and qualified to walk side-by-side with you as you go through a difficult time. Every Stephen Ministry relationship is completely confidential; nothing you say to your Stephen Minister will ever be repeated. If you ever are in need of a friendly ear to listen or a shoulder to lean on, please reach out to one of the people listed below.
Seniors:Administrative Assistant:
Jill Mechling
Lauren Cates
Murray Corbett
Daniel Crofts
Elizabeth Eason
Mckenzie Engram
Wilson Kennedy
Kathleen Lifsey
Martin Pruitt
Alex Rumer
Brooklynn Smith
Juniors:
Sammy Kaye Lunsford
Meg McGill
Heather McGowan
Jennifer Paden
Madison Paff (abroad)
John Turnbull
Seth Warner (abroad)
Sophomores:
Katie Anderson
Elizabeth Bagley
Morgan DeLoach
Andrew Hane
JB Mitchell
Paul Rice
Helen Wilkins
“Equip God’s people for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12)
“Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)
“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
If any of these passages speak to you, you may be right for the Bluefish. Every year, a new group of Bluefish are trained and commissioned as Stephen Ministers. Each prospective Bluefish must fill out an application and complete the required 50 hours of training. Throughout the training, students learn how to provide friendly and confidential care to people going through difficult times such as grief, job loss, depression, illness, divorce, relocation, and other life difficulties. This is a serious commitment of time, talent, and energy, but if you are willing to put in the necessary effort you can only gain from learning how to be in loving and caring relationships with those in crisis.
Each Bluefish serves on one of the Bluefish teams to help plan events: spiritual growth, worship, mission, and fellowship. After training and commissioning, they seek ways to serve, particularly by making themselves available to the students on the residence hall to which they are assigned. They also maintain their skills through regular continuing education and supervisory groups.
All students are welcome and invited to apply to the Stephen Ministry program and be a part of the Bluefish ministry team!
If you are interested, please come by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life on the 1st floor of Springs across from the prayer room. You can also e-mail Dr. Jeri Parris Perkins, jpperkins@presby.edu or Meg McGill, gmmcgill@presby.edu.
Bluefish Year 1 Fellows: Elizabeth Bagley, edbagley@presby.edu and Paul Rice, pbrice@presby.edu
Stephen Ministry Website: http://www.stephenministries.org/
PBS Special on Stephen Ministry: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/april-9-2010/stephen-ministry/6044/
