Where Can I Serve?

Jesus told us, his disciples, to make disciples of all nations. One of the most important values of this church is our mission to the world. It begins in our own community, and spreads overseas to every nation. Church members are involved in a variety of ministries from things as serving on a board, preparing the church bulletins or leading a Bible Study Class. 

Mission Outreach

St. John Lutheran Church, Defiance, Ohio, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod  is thrilled to be part of the spread of God’s kingdom around the world. We support the missions with our monies to help spread the Word of God.  

Music & Drama

God-honoring worship is something we strive for. Many church members get involved in our music ministry. Some play their instruments. Some are vocalists. Others are involved in the choir. These volunteers are an important part of the ministry of our church, using their talents and gifts to glorify God.

Ushers

The usher teams at our church fills an important role. They are involved in directing attendees to their seats, ensuring the safety of the building during services, guiding traffic, helping visitors, answering questions, providing direction, unlocking doors, locking doors, and generally ensuring that the service can proceed problem-free. The usher team is a servant-hearted group of men and women whose ministry is integral to church life.

Media & Technology

Using media to spread the gospel is a privilege of this church. In an age of widespread technology, we have a stewardship to use these tools as best as possible for kingdom purposes. All of our weekly sermons are uploaded to our website in video and audio formats. We also have Facebook and Twitter feed for additional church communication.

Prayer 

Prayer cannot be overestimated. Prayer moves the hand of God. Our Church is a body of believers dependent upon prayer, and committed to God’s sovereignty. Each Sunday, during our services we pray for people that are dealing with health problems, people that have lost love one, anniversaries, new births, people that are serving our country. Along with our weekly prayers we have a number of people that receive the prayer chain that prayer for special needs of our congregation. 

What Does a Stephen Ministry Do?

A Stephen Minister gives one-to-one, lay Christian Care. One-to-one: Stephen Ministers meet privately with one care receiver of the same gender. Lay: Stephen Ministers are trained and supervised lay volunteers, not professional counselors or therapists, pastors, or physicians. Christians: Stephen Ministers are Christians who care in the name of Christ. They are willing to talk about spiritual issues but won’t force them. Care: Stephen Ministers care by listening, supporting and encouraging, praying, being dependable and trustworthy, and maintaining confidentiality in their caregiving. Confidentiality: Stephen Ministers keep personal information confidential. Therefore, you can feel free to share with your Stephen Minister without worrying that everyone else will know about it There are rare occasions when Stephen Ministers must share confidential information in order to save a life. Those occasions are suicide, homicide, or abuse.
 

It’s YOUR ministry!

Stephen Ministry is YOUR ministry. It is an important way we at St. John care for one another. If you are going through a difficult time, consider having a Stephen Minister. If you know someone else who is facing difficulties, suggest that they request a Stephen Minister. Make us of it. Stephen Ministry belongs to you! 
 

TeleCare Ministry

The TeleCare Ministry that helps our church family stay connected. The first Monday of each month a group of Stephen Ministers meet and reach out of people in our congregation that need a special follow up and a prayer from our TeleCare individuals. Penny Mueller and Elaine Carpenter organized this ministry. 
 

WeCare Card Ministry

The WeCare Card Ministry sends cards to congregation members that are facing life challenges. Our group of shut-ins get a “WeCare Card” once a month from one of our card senders. Anniversaries, births, on-going care and there are many other reasons why we send a cards. If you would like to be a card sender please contact Penny Mueller at 419-782-5766.
 

Food Pantry 

We serve the Defiance County community with a three day food supply. We are open from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. We are closed on holidays.  We serve households once a month. Please bring your proof of residence.
 

Clothes Closet

Our Clothes Closet is located across the street from the school at 646 Wayne Ave, Defiance, OH. We provide good clean clothes at a very reasonable price. We do provide FREE clothes for people that cannot afford to pay. The Clothes Closet supports the ministries at St. John as well as the Defiance Community.