top of page
THE CHURCH CAN HELP
WE ALL HAVE HURT. WE ALL NEED OTHERS. WE CAN SHOW YOU HOW.
A free, research-based peer-ministry program that equips everyday believers to listen, pray, and share — so your church can walk with people through life's hardest moments.
GET CONNECTED
MEET WITH US
Looking to connect with The Church Cares? Sign up for a live meeting — no cost.
Introduction Meeting
DR. JIM SELLS
Sign up to meet with Dr. Sells and hear the vision and possibilities.
.png)
Office Hours
DR. SELLS & DR. OTEY‑SCOTT
Meet to discuss your church's specific care needs.
.png)
Listen Class
CORE LISTENING SKILLS
Take our training in listening skills — learn the core skills with us.
.png)
Consultation
IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT
Meet a consultant with other church leaders engaged in care ministry.
GET STARTED
START CARING TODAY
Whether you'd rather watch first or read first, here's everything you need to bring The Church Cares to your community.
Get the Free Church Cares Kit
Start right where you are. Download the Listen Course workbook and discussion guide — everything your group needs to begin listening well, sent straight to your inbox.
See the Listen Course in Action
Get a preview of what your team will experience — real conversations about listening with empathy, spiritual wisdom, and confidence.
ABOUT US
WELCOME TO THE CHURCH CARES
The Church Cares equips everyday believers to offer real care, right now. Across the country, lay leaders are being trained to walk with those in distress—and your church can be part of the movement.
This free, research-based program equips everyday believers to care, pray, and share in peer-to-peer relationships—demonstrating God’s love by walking with others through
life’s struggles.
SOLUTION
HOW THE CHURCH CARES WORKS
The Church Cares is a peer helping ministry that trains your biggest volunteer force—your church members—to listen, pray, and offer support to those with personal struggles and emotional needs.
When people are in distress, they want to go to church. The Church Cares offers a way to help them, serve them, and invite them in. It’s an evangelism, discipleship, and church growth approach, all wrapped into one.
More than that, it helps people like Jesus helped people. Compassionately. Intentionally. And Biblically.
AVAILABLE NOW
WHEN HURTING PEOPLE COME TO CHURCH:
HOW PEOPLE OF FAITH CAN HELP SOLVE THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS
People are hurting at a scale we’ve never seen. Pastors and counselors can’t see everyone in need. THIS BOOK CAN HELP. Order your copy today.
Rated as a Top 10 book by Carey Nieuwhof for 2025!
Outreach Magazine Resource Award for 2026
LISTEN & LEARN
CHECK OUT THE PODCASTS
Enjoy listening to podcasts about When Hurting People Come to Church and The Church Cares.
.png)
Episode 20: When Hurting People Come
In this conversation, Shaunti and Jim discuss the pressin
.png)
When Hurting People Come to Church: A Vi
Meet to discuss your church's specific care needs.
Solving the Mental Health Emergency:
olving the Mental Health Emergency: with Shaunti F
.png)
How Should We Respond to Hurting
How Should We Respond to Hurting People? | FamilyLif
PARTNERS
OUR NETWORK OF TRUSTED MINISTRY PARTNERS
The Church Cares operates independently through Regent University, in close collaboration with a network of trusted ministry partners
ABOUT US
Meet the team behind The Church Cares.
.png)
JOIN US
Don't miss a thing — sign up to get updates in your inbox.
.png)
HOW IT WORKS
Learn about implementing The Church Cares at your church.
LISTEN COURSE
LEARNING TO CARE WITH COMPASSION AND CONFIDENCE
Ready to offer a course to anyone in your church community that trains them to care, pray and share with those who are struggling?
GET THE LISTEN DISCUSSION GUIDE
Enter your email and we'll send the free discussion guide straight to your inbox.
WATCH THE TRAILER
SEE THE LISTEN COURSE IN ACTION
Get a preview of what your team will experience — real conversations about listening with empathy, spiritual wisdom, and confidence.
WAYS TO ENGAGE
HOW TO ENGAGE THE HELPER COURSE
There are four ways to engage the Listen: Care Prayer Share Course with us.
DIY
FREE IN THE TCC TOOLKIT
Do the video course DIY with a partner or group.
.png)
Learn then Lead
FREE — REGISTER
Your leadership takes the course with us, then offers it at your church.
.png)
Hosted
$300 PER CHURCH
Do the course as a watch party with a host from our team.
.png)
Live Speaker
COST VARIES
Host a live event with one of our team speakers.
UPCOMING SESSIONS
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING LISTEN
& ADVANCED COURSES
Join the Listen Course to learn the Basic Skills in a live interactive group led by our staff. The Advanced Certificate is an interactive, in-depth training with Dr Ripley. Can be taken at the same time or after the Basic Listen Course
Listen Course
Upcoming Helper Course Dates
Course is 11am - 5pm EST
Designed to Train the Trainers
June 20, Espanol
July 11 English
Sept 19 Espanol
October 17, English
Sept 12 English
or Anytime, DIY with a friend or your group. See DIY option below
.png)
Advanced Certificate Group
Fall 2026 Advanced Certificate
Four Group Meetings
August 31 8pm EST
Oct 26 8pm EST
Nov 30 8pm EST
Sept 30 8pm EST
WELCOME TO THE LISTEN COURSE
STEPS FOR THE CHURCH CARES TRAINING
Earn a certificate in the important interpersonal skills to take your care-related ministry to the next level.
Download & print the workbook.
.png)
Watch the videos with your group and discuss the ideas.
Practice skills with a partner, guided by the workbook.
.png)
Share your experience in the program evaluation.
CHECK IT OUT
MATERIALS TO SUPPORT YOUR TRAINING
Materials here to support you as you engage training in The Church Cares
.png)
.png)
.png)
THE CHURCH CARES TRAINING PATH
LISTEN. DEEPEN. PRACTICE.
When life gets hard, people turn to the Church. But who do they find there? What if your church could be known as the place where no one has to hurt alone? The Advanced Caregiver Certification is a three-tiered training pathway that helps churches build sustainable, Christ-centered care teams led by trained lay volunteers. It’s more than a course—it’s a movement to restore the Church’s role as a first responder in today’s mental and emotional health crisis.
LEVEL 1: LISTEN
Listen Class
A 6-hour introduction to relational caregiving for anyone with a heart to help. You’ll learn:
How to listen with empathy and spiritual wisdom.
The CARE model: Coordinated Attention, Accessible Support, Relational Encouragement.
What to say—and what not to say—when someone’s hurting.
How to stay grounded and avoid burnout.
Includes:
video teaching, discussion prompts, roleplay, and practical tools.
Cost:
Donation-based (pay what you can) for churches, ministries, and individuals to implement themselves as a class at your church.
Outcome:
Certificate of Completion – Church-Based Helper
LEVEL 2: DEEPEN
Advanced Certificate in The Church Cares
Deepen your theology. Expand your toolbox. For those stepping into more intentional roles within care ministry. In this level, participants will:
Explore a theology of care grounded in Scripture.
Read and discuss three books:
-
Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands by Paul David Tripp,
-
When Hurting People Come to Church – Feldhahn & Sells
-
Ministering to Families in Crisis – Ripley, Sells & Chandler
Reflect on real-world ministry situations.
Articulate a biblical approach to emotional and relational needs
Cost: $100 plus purchase readings. If you church wants to offer this as a group or you have questions email us with your interest. info@thechurchcares.com Sign up here
Outcome:
Certified Care Ministry Advocate
Led by experienced clinicians and ministry trainers. Great for team leads, coordinators, or anyone seeking to strengthen their biblical foundation for care.
LEVEL 3: PRACTICE
Care Listening Practicum
Put your care into action—with feedback and support. In this final tier, you’ll:
Engage in 15 hours of real-world listening ministry.
Submit recorded conversations (with help-seeker’s permission) for peer and mentor review.
Participate in mentoring or small group processing and debrief sessions.
Receive ongoing encouragement and supervision.
Includes:
video teaching, discussion prompts, roleplay, and practical tools
Cost:
$300
Email us with your interest. info@thechurchcares.com
Outcome:
Advanced Caregiver Certification
You’ll emerge not only equipped—but confident, supported, and transformed.
FREE DOWNLOAD
GET THE LISTEN COURSE DISCUSSION GUIDE
Drop in your email and we'll send the full Care · Prayer · Share discussion guide workbook straight to your inbox — everything your group needs to start listening well.
Listen Course Discussion Guide
PDF workbook · sent instantly
We'll only use your email to send the guide and occasional Church Cares updates. Unsubscribe anytime.
Equipping everyday believers to listen, pray, and share — so no one has to hurt alone.
Explore
The Solution
How it Works
Listen Course
Resources
Blog
GET INVOLVED
Join Us
Consultation
Donate
Set a Meeting
© 2026 The Church Cares. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions
bottom of page