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Join The Church Cares

Join our email community and get exclusive access to The Church Cares Kit, which is filled with video trainings, downloads, and resources. Sign up below and get instant access.

Meet Our Team

The Church Cares team is a deeply collaborative, mission-driven community, united by a shared calling: to equip the Church to care well. Each of us brings unique strengths to this work—but together, we serve one purpose: making Christ-centered care possible in every local church.

If you’ve joined us, welcome. We’d love to meet you. Schedule a free introductory call to get to know the heart behind The Church Cares, meet members of our team, and ask any questions you have. If you already know us, reach out to one of our Church Implementation Liaisons by email—we’re here to help.

Dr Jim Sells

Charis Institute Co-founder

Dr. James Sells, a licensed psychologist, holds more than two decades of training and practice in education, counseling, and psychology. He has written books and articles on family therapy, Christian integration, and church ministries. He is Professor of Counseling and the co-director of the Charis Institute at Regent University

Dr. Jennifer Ripley

Charis Institute Co-founder

Dr. Ripley is a Professor of Psychology at Regent University and the co-director of the Charis Institute, where she consults with churches and conducts research. She is a licensed psychologist and operates a couples training clinic. Dr. RIpley has published dozens of articles, several books, and over 100 presentations.

Set Up an Introduction Call

Sylvia Chipman

Church Implementation Liaison & Project Manager

Sylvia Chipman is the Project Manager for The Church Cares. She is available to talk with you to support you, answer your questions, and get your CARE ministry off the ground. She is the owner and founder of Thrive Marriage Coaching and serves as a marriage coach and SYMBIS-certified premarital counselor. Sylvia holds an MA in Human Services with a Marriage and Family Ministry concentration from Regent University.

Contact Sylvia

Dr. Stacie Otey-Scott

Church Implementation Liaison

Dr. Stacie Otey-Scott serves as a trusted bridge between diverse faith communities and The Church Cares Team, championing healing-centered partnerships that respect each congregation’s unique cultural identity, spiritual traditions, and communal strengths. Through her thoughtful guidance, churches are equipped to integrate mental wellness practices with spiritual care that reflects the heart of their communities.

Contact Stacie

Shaunti Feldhahn

Project Partner &

Church Implementation Liaison

Shaunti is a Harvard-trained researcher, best-selling author, and former Wall Street analyst who applies analytical expertise to uncover transformative truths about relationships. A public champion for The Church Cares, she equips churches and leaders with tools for healing and growth, helping individuals thrive in life, love, and faith. Discover more at Shaunti.com

Contact Shaunti

Valter De Souza Jr

Church Implementation Liaison

Valter De Souza Jr. is a Ph.D. student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Regent University and an ordained minister. As part of The Church Cares team, he focuses on lay counselor training, culturally responsive mental health support in church communities, and supports Spanish-speaking and bilingual congregations. He teaches at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Contact Valter

Sarah Haught

Director of Program Evaluation

Sarah Haught is a doctoral candidate in the PsyD program at Regent University with an M.A. in Clinical Psychology. She serves as director of program evaluation for The Church Cares. She is passionate about faith integration and active in the Charis Institute and Society for Christian Accommodative Treatment and Programs.

Reema Angelique Smith

Social Media Manager

Reema Angelique Smith is the Social Media Manager for The Church Cares and a doctoral candidate in Clinical Psychology at Regent University. She is passionate about integrating faith, mental health, and digital ministry to support the well-being of individuals and church communities.

Eileen Kirkland

Project Partner

Eileen Kirkland supports The Church Cares by overseeing partner relationships, implementation strategies, and communication resources. A former educator, Eileen now serves as Shaunti Feldhahn’s staff and operations director, using her administrative acumen to keep projects and people on track.

Why You Should Sign Up

This isn’t just about mental health—it’s about discipleship, hospitality, and evangelism in a hurting world. The Church Cares gives you a roadmap that’s spiritual, practical, and sustainable. When you sign up, you’ll:

Equip your church to truly care.

Train lay leaders in biblical, practical skills to walk alongside others in pain—without overwhelming pastors or replacing professional help.

Build a culture of compassion.

Shift from “refer out” to “walk with,” making your church a safe, trusted place where healing happens together.

Reach people on the margins.

Extend love and support to those who feel unseen or unsure about faith, opening doors for gospel-shaped transformation.

Join a movement of hope.

Be part of a growing network of churches committed to coordinated, sustainable care—so no one has to carry their burdens alone.

Care isn’t a program.
It’s people reflecting the heart of Christ.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

– Galatians 6:2

What You Get When You Join
The Church Cares

All of the following materials and training are available for free when you sign up. We are constantly adding and modifying content to better assist you. The Church Cares Toolkit is exhaustive from training, to vision casting with your team, to agreements to use with those you are caring for.