
Empowering spiritual leaders for soul-based discipleship and community care.
Peer Support and Consultation
The discipleship mandate calls us to extend care and compassion to those who are hurting. As a leader, you may excel in traditional forms of discipleship yet feel unequipped to meet the deeper emotional and pastoral care needs that arise. That’s where CareCola comes in!
We provide a safe, confidential space designed specifically for pastors and ministry leaders to navigate the unique challenges and emotional demands of their sacred roles. Through shared experiences, guided discussions, and mutual encouragement, our groups become a lifeline of support. They are a vital resource, empowering you to continue serving others with compassion, resilience, and strength.
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Deepen Understanding: Gain insights into mental health and caregiving, learning practical approaches to support those in need.
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Find Encouragement: Receive care and support from others who understand the joys and challenges of ministry.
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Build Community: Connect with fellow pastors in an environment of trust and mutual respect.
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Enhance Skills: Explore tools and strategies to navigate crisis situations, provide soul-based care, and foster hope within your church body.
Directories
When you encounter situations where someone requires more help than you can offer, we are here to assist. Our directories provide connections to reliable resources, expanding the reach of care beyond your capacity. Featuring a carefully curated network of Christian therapists, pastoral counselors, and life coaches, as well as support, therapy, and recovery groups, our directories are designed to link individuals, couples, or families to compassionate, faith-driven support. These FREE resources empower those in need to find healing, encouragement, and growth within a community or through one-on-one care.
Find the support you need with our online directory of Christian licensed therapists, pastoral counselors, and life coaches. Customize your search based on the criteria that matter most to you!
Explore local support and therapy groups as a cost-effective way to build community, develop valuable skills, find support, foster solidarity, and stay accountable on your journey.
Continuing Education
Resource List
Basic Mental Health Awareness
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A Leader's Quick Guide to Anxiety. This quick reference guide aims to pastors and church leaders feel more prepared should someone walk into their office with a new diagnosis, or a panic attack.
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A Leader's Quick Guide to Depression. This quick guide aims to help pastors and church leaders distinguish between depression, grief, and sadness as well as when to walk alongside someone, when to refer them for help, or how to best support them.
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The Sanctuary Course: This 8-session video series created to inspire and equip communities of faith that are asking this important question. Developed in consultation with mental health professionals, theologians, and people with lived experience, the series explores key mental health topics and examines meaningful ways to offer companionship, support recovery, and promote wellbeing.
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Understanding Fear, Worry, and Anxiety. Four week small group study.
Caring Skills
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Help Me Help Others (2016) by Dr. Larry Wagner.
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Stephen Ministry Training Series. This 50-hour course is designed to equip volunteer teams to provide FREE and confidential care within the church context. One-time membership fee and leader training is required. (Crossroads Church leads a training series during the spring of each year.)
Community Organizations and Services
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*211. The 211 service is a free, confidential resource that connects individuals to essential community services and support, making it easier for people to find help without navigating complex systems on their own. It is available across the United States and is managed by local organizations, including United Way and other community partners. By simply dialing 211, you can access help 24/7 for a wide range of needs, such as Housing Assistance: Support for homelessness, rent, or utility bills. Food Resources: Information on food banks, meal programs, and benefits. Mental Health Services: Access to counseling, crisis intervention, and substance use support. Healthcare: Guidance on finding affordable medical care and health programs. Disaster Relief: Assistance during emergencies or natural disasters. Employment Support: Job training, placement services, and financial assistance.
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Chapin We Care. We serve as an outreach ministry for churches in the Chapin, Little Mountain, White Rock, Peak, Pomaria, and Prosperity communities in answer to the call of Jesus Christ to serve the poor and needy. 803.345.3244
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EauClaire Cooperative Health. Delivery of a full-continuum of primary care services to include pediatrics, adult and family, obstetrics & gynecology, dental, podiatry, behavioral medicine, orthopedics, and in-house pharmacies. Those who are insured, uninsured, or underinsured are welcome. A sliding fee scale is available to all patients and no one is denied care regardless of the ability to pay. 803.733.5969
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Family Promise of the Midlands. We help families experiencing homelessness in their quest to achieve sustainable independence. While our guest families work toward that goal, congregations in the faith-based community provide them with temporary shelter and hospitality. 803.832.4765.
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Flourishing Families. We meet the needs of vulnerable children by establishing a trauma-informed, attachment-based culture of care in South Carolina so that families flourish in connected communities.
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Heart for Profit Homes. Empowering Lifes through shared housing. Safe, Clean, and Affordable living spaces tailored for rebuilding lives without barriers.
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Lifeline Children Services. To equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our desire is to come alongside Christian missional families with resources they will need to find and nurture their children, as they become disciples who make disciples. Adoption, foster care, crisis response, and counseling. 803.888.7525.
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Leeza's Connection. Helping families cope with a health crisis, care for themselves and their diagnosed loved ones, create positive new realities through our network of connections.
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Meals on Wheels. Delivered meals to seniors to keep them safe and living independently.
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Needful Things Columbia-Lexington SC. Directory of community services and organizations in Richland and Lexington counties.
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Oliver Gospel Mission. Community-based mission that helps those who are unhoused, in poverty, or addiction transform their lives through physical, spiritual, and relational support so that they can lead full, healthy lives. Through our Men's Center, Toby's Place (center for women and children), and our social enterprises, we provide holistic rehabilitation, transitional housing, and career development, always aiming for permanent housing and a solid community for each person who comes through our doors.
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Sharing God's Love. Cooperative ministry that works with those facing emergencies related to their basic living needs. The ministry operates as an extension of the churches in the Irmo, St. Andrews, and Ballentine areas and is committed to the call of Jesus Christ to serve the poor and needy. 803.732.3188.
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WIC. USDA's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
Crisis Care
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Daybreak Crisis Pregnancy Center 803.771.6634
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Dickerson Children Advocacy Center. Child-focused facility that provides forensic interviews, forensic medicals, mental health and victim advocate services to victims of child abuse between the ages of 0 to 18.. 803.358.7200.
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Lighthouse for Life. Human trafficking education, counseling, and shelters. 803.900.0907
- Mobile Crisis Unit. Mental health clinicians work with law enfocement to triage and deploy assistance. 833.364.2274
- Pathways to Healing. Sexual trauma and assault - advocacy and counseling. 803.790.8208 and 24-hr hotline 803.771.7273
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Sistercare. Domestic abuse advocacy and shelters. 803-765-9428
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Suicide Prevention Hotline. 800.273.TALK. Local Emergency Services. 988
Grief and Loss
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Anna's Tea. Hosted by Riverland Hills Church, Anna's Tea is a support community for widows. Come to the Fellowship Hall the second Monday of each month, offered from September to May, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM. Enjoy a light meal, some tea, of course, entertainment, and possibly making a craft or two – all while meeting new friends. Meetings are free but registration is required.
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Grace Like Scarlett: Grieving with Hope after Miscarriage and Loss by Adriel Booker.
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Grieving the Child I never Knew: A devotional for Comfort in the Loss of Your Unborn or Newly Born Child by Kathe Wunnenberg.
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Lamenting in Sorrow and Grief: Explore lament as a biblical way to grieve and be honest with God.
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Stephen Ministry Grief Books: A Simple, Powerful Way to Care for People Who Are Grieving Journeying through Grief is a set of four short books to send to people at four crucial times during the first year after the loss of a loved one. Author Kenneth C. Haugk writes in a warm, caring style, with short, easy-to-read chapters. He walks alongside the reader through the grief journey, sharing helpful insights about grief, biblical truths, and stories that provide comfort and reassurance.
Marriage and Relationships
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Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself by Melody Beattie. An expert guide for codependents on how to stop controlling others and start caring for themselves.
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Divorce Care. DivorceCare was created to help people find hope and healing after divorce or separation. It is based on Christian principles and hosted by area churches. Individuals from all walks of life are welcome. Most groups charge $20–$25 to cover the cost of books, snacks, and child care.
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Help Me Help Others (2016) by Dr. Larry Wagner.
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Is it Abuse by Darcy Strickland.
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Enriching Relationships that Matter Most. Facebook group for Leslie Vernick. Educational content with optional support groups.
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Prepare and Enrich. Couples prepare for marriage or enriched their relationship by taking the Prepare/Enrich assessment and working with a Certified Facilitator.
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7 Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman. John Gottman’s unprecedented study of couples over a period of 40 years has allowed him to observe the habits that can make—and break—a marriage. Here is the culmination of that work: the seven principles that guide couples on a path toward a harmonious and long-lasting relationship.
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Save Your Marriage Before it Starts (SYMBIS). Designed by Les and Leslie Parrott, SYMBIS is a compreshensive pre-marriage assessment designed to help couples build a strong foundation for their relationship. The program provides insights and tools to strengthen relationships at various stages of marriage such as second marriage and blended marriages. The program includes facilitator training.
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The Emotionally Destructive Marrige: How to Find Your Voice and Reclaim Your Hope by Leslie Vernick
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The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Tim Keller.
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The Science of Love | John Gottman | TEDxVeniceBeach: Gottman's TED talk explains his years of research.
Recovery
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Oliver Gospel Mission. Community-based mission that helps those who are unhoused, in poverty, or addiction transform their lives through physical, spiritual, and relational support so that they can lead full, healthy lives. Through our Men's Center, Toby's Place (center for women and children), and our social enterprises, we provide holistic rehabilitation, transitional housing, and career development, always aiming for permanent housing and a solid community for each person who comes through our doors.
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Providence Home. Christ-focused transitional housing for me. 803.779.2927
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Reconciliation Ministries. Residential recovery and discipleship program. 803.727.4697
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Recovery Church. Church created by the recovery community for the recovery community. Mondays at 6:30 pm. 803-221-0055
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The Women's Shelter a division of Providence Home. More than a warm bed and a meal. Relapse prevention courses, budgeting classes and women’s health education classes to nutritional education. On-site programs are offered several nights a week along with transportation to Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings to provide seven nights of programming. 803-779-4706
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Spirituality and Mental Health
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Examples and Principles of Psychology in the Bible by Dennis Farrell. This book is not a commentary on the values of psychology through the eyes of the Scripture, nor is it an evaluation of the Scripture through the eyes of psychology. It is not a theology book, nor is it a criticism of psychology. It is simply an account of modern principles of psychology contained in Scripture.
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Masterclass in Christ-Centered Therapy. In this 6-part video series, Eric Johnson offers a truly holistic approach to Christian psychology and therapy rooted in biblical truth, centered on Christ, and informed by science.
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Psalm 42 and 43 worksheet. This simple worksheet utilizes scripture to explore depression from a biblical perspective.