Rosmeli Gahona is one of our newest Stephen Ministers, getting trained and commissioned last year. Rosmeli learned that she should listen to her Care Receiver, patiently and actively, letting her fully express herself. Sometimes it’s hard to sit in the silence as you wait for the Care Receiver to continue, but that helps the Stephen Minister stay away from the “I can fix it” mode!

Rosmeli has years of showing care for others, but being a Stephen Minister has allowed her to understand what it truly means to be there for someone. Stephen Ministers listen and care for their Care Receivers, walking with them as they work on whatever they are going through.

Rosmeli helps lead worship (with her husband, Ramon) for Grace en Español.

Brian Prather’s favorite skill from Stephen Minister training is learning not to get into the “pit” with a Care Receiver. A well-trained Stephen Minister offers more than sympathy—but avoids over-identifying with the Care Receiver, which can lead to getting “stuck in the mud” and unable to help. The mud hole illustration is a powerful reminder that the most helpful response is empathy. With empathy, and anchored by faith, a Stephen Minister can help lift a Care Receiver out of the pit and walk with them toward healing.

Brian admits it can be tempting to jump in, but this lesson keeps him focused on his true role: offering care without trying to “fix” problems. He’s also found great joy in learning from his Care Receivers along the way.

We’re excited to welcome Brian to the Stephen Minister leadership team this fall, following his completion of Stephen Leader training in November.

Lyn Sell has served as a Stephen Minister for many years, faithfully putting into practice the skills she learned in training. With four months of intensive preparation, choosing a single favorite skill was not easy—but Lyn ultimately chose active listening as the one that has impacted her ministry the most. This vital skill allows her to hear her Care Receivers fully and compassionately, without the urge to tell them what they “should” do.

Stephen Ministers are trained—and often reminded—that we are the care-givers, while God is the Cure-giver. Lyn embraces this truth, doing her part by listening well and trusting God to do His work. She finds joy in watching how God answers prayers, and the experience has deepened her faith as she learns to rely on His plan for both herself and her Care Receivers.

When she’s not worshipping or volunteering at Grace, Lyn brings her creativity to her work in interior design—crafting home environments that reflect each person’s unique tastes and interests while meeting their practical needs.