The Church CARES Ministry
Connecting people who need HOPE with people who HELP
How it Works
We enlist and equip lay volunteers to respond to basic emotional and spiritual needs – those that don’t require professional care. With training in listening, presence, and knowing when to refer, volunteers become a hopeful Christ-centered presence for those in distress.
Helper Interview Form
(Please note: training is required before an interview is accepted)
About Us
The mental health crisis is flooding the church.
-Studies show there are almost 58 million people in our country with emotional or
mental distress. Nearly half are not getting help.
-There will never be enough professionals to meet this need.
-In distress people come to the church first.
-Pastors see as many people as they can or refer to counselors who are often full.
-Too many people fall through the cracks and never receive the help they need.
-The Body of Christ is uniquely positioned to respond to today’s challenges – not with more programs, but with presence. We have people with a heart to help. With simple training and clear structure, they can offer hope and healing to the
hurting.
The Church CARES Ministry will . . .
-Train and equip lay listeners to provide compassionate, Christ-centered care so that no one facing emotional, relational, or personal distress has to walk alone.
-Provide a place at The Table Church that is known as a trusted place where people can find care, connection, and Christ-centered hope when life gets hard.
-Provide opportunities for discipleship and evangelism as we walk alongside hurting people listening, supporting, encouraging, praying, and sharing the hope we have in Jesus.
Lay listeners can walk alongside:
-Discouragement and sadness
-Fear, stress, and worry
-Grief and basic trauma
-Adolescents and life development
-Family, couples, and parents
-Struggle with harmful habits
