How Do We Solve the Problem
The Body of Christ is uniquely positioned to respond to today’s challenges—not with more programs, but with presence.
​
Every church has people with the heart to help. With simple training and a clear structure, they can walk alongside those in need, listen well—and know when to refer for greater support.
That’s how the Church becomes a place where no one has to hurt alone—and where ordinary people bring extraordinary hope.
The Church Cares is for:
Churches that would like to start a mental health care ministry
Churches with a mental health care ministry that need additional, no-cost resources
Pastors who need to lighten the demands on their time
Lay helpers who want to encourage others in a meaningful way
Counselors who want to help the church meet these needs
You don’t need to be a therapist to be a lifeline
Lay listeners don’t replace professional counselors. But if every church trained even one person to listen well, we could begin to meet today’s need --with presence, prayer, and Christ-centered hope.
​
One listener in every church. See how it works.
Most pastors and church leaders believe lay care is an important solution.[i]
Yet only 38% of those leaders actually have that solution in their church.
This is where The Church Cares comes in!
The Church has the heart – let’s give it the tools.
The CARE Framework
The Church Cares equips local churches to become safe, supportive, and spiritually grounded places where people can find care—not just referral slips.
​
We do this through a practical, biblical model called the CARE Framework, which helps churches build volunteer-led care ministries that are sustainable, safe, and deeply relational.
Here's how it works:
1
WE TRAIN LAY LEADERS TO CARE WELL
Most people don’t need a therapist—they need someone who will listen, pray, and walk with them. We train everyday believers in basic emotional and spiritual care skills rooted in Scripture and psychological wisdom. Volunteers learn how to support others without overstepping or burning out.
2
WE HELP CHURCHES BUILD A LAYERED SUPPORT SYSTEM
Our model adds structure to what many churches are already trying to do: show up for people in pain. We help churches organize care around three key roles:
-
Lay Listeners: Trained volunteers who offer presence and encouragement.
-
Specialized Helpers: Group leaders or coaches with deeper experience.
-
CARE Coordinators: The bridge between pastoral care, volunteers, and professional referrals.
3
WE STRENGTHEN, NOT REPLACE, THE CHURCH'S MISSION
We don’t add another program—we support your calling. Our tools are customizable, scalable, and designed to work in your context, whether you're a rural church of 100 or a suburban congregation of 1,000.
4
WE MAKE SURE NO ONE HAS TO HURT ALONE
​Through simple care practices and shared presence, we help churches become places where burdens are carried together. People feel seen, supported, and invited to experience Christ-centered hope.
This strategy not only helps churches meet the mental health crisis with compassion—it empowers them to reflect the heart of Christ more clearly than ever.
How It Works
Ordinary volunteers are trained to listen.
And bring extraordinary hope.
The Church Cares is a peer helping ministry that trains everyday people in your church to listen, pray, and offer support to those with personal struggles and emotional needs. [note the slight revision]
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.
Our Team
The Church Cares team is a deeply collaborative, mission-driven group with complementary strengths—all aligned around one central purpose: equipping the Church to care well when life gets hard.
.webp)
