The Problem
We Help Solve
We’re in an unprecedented mental health crisis—skyrocketing anxiety, epidemic loneliness, and a deep ache for hope. A lot of hurting people need help, including right inside the church.
Too many people are
suffering in silence.
Across the country, churches are being flooded with hurting people—grieving parents, anxious teens, overwhelmed caregivers, and lonely neighbors—all seeking comfort, hope, and help. Yet pastors and church leaders often feel ill-equipped to meet the rising tide of emotional, relational, and mental health needs. Meanwhile, professional counseling resources are stretched thin, expensive, or unavailable.
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The result? Too many people fall through the cracks. Churches refer them out—but have little left to offer themselves. Volunteers want to help—but feel unqualified. And people who come to church in pain often leave feeling unseen or alone.
The Church Cares exists to change that.
Pastors and church leaders can’t meet with everyone, so they refer to Christian counselors. But many counselors have long waitlists—or the cost puts care out of reach. Everyone wants to help. But the system is overwhelmed.
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Too often, those in pain are left feeling alone—and caring Christians are left wondering if there’s more they could do.
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There is.
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There’s a way to help many more people with the love of Jesus, while also taking pressure off already-stretched pastors and counselors.
WHAT THE DATA SAYS
59.3
MILLION
59.3 million adults are dealing with distress significant enough to diagnose as a mental illness,[i] and half (30 million!) are not being treated.[ii] That’s almost the population of Texas. And it doesn’t even include youth.
Licensed counselors aren’t always needed.
Today, we are already short 109,000 mental health professionals just to meet existing demand. That gap will more than double in the next five years.[iii] There will never be enough programs or funding to train and pay that many new professionals. Another solution is required.
88%
88% of pastors and church leaders believe that with psychological issues the primary role of the church is to refer out.[iv]
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Yet, as noted, half of those who need care do not receive it. Waiting lists are often long, trusted counselors simply may not be available, and many people cannot afford the cost.
There will never be enough counselors.
[i]Defined as a disorder “diagnosable currently or within the past year; of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic criteria specified within the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV); and exclude developmental and substance use disorders.”
[ii]National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). Mental illness. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. Retrieved May 23, 2025 from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
[iii]Wang, P. S., Lane, M., Olfson, M., Pincus, H. A., Wells, K. B., & Kessler, R. C. (2005). Twelve-Month Use of Mental Health Services in the United States: Results From the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 629–640. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.629
[iv]See the national survey data in When Hurting People Come to Church by Shaunti Feldhahn and Dr. James Sells.
[V]https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/workforce-projections
How We Solve the Problem
The Body of Christ is uniquely positioned to respond to today’s challenges—not with more programs, but with presence.
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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.
Testimonials
Here’s what church leaders are saying about The Church Cares.
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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.
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One listener in every church. See how it works.
94%
of Pastors and Church Leaders Agree
that Lay Care is Important.[i]
Most people with mental health issues can be greatly helped by spending time with a Christian lay counselor/coach who will listen to them and walk alongside them for a season.
38%
Only 38% of those leaders actually have that solution in their church.
Are there lay people in your church trained in listening in that way? Does any type of ministry like that exist in your church? [ii]
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.
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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:
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Lay Listeners: Trained volunteers who offer presence and encouragement.
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Specialized Helpers: Group leaders or coaches with deeper experience.
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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 thousands.
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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.