Mobilizing Comfort: How Lutheran Church Charities Trains Volunteers to Serve with Presence

From golden retrievers to crisis care teams, LCC empowers everyday people to meet emotional and spiritual needs, one compassionate response at a time.

Answering the Call to Show Up

When wildfires and flooding hit Ruidoso, New Mexico, Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) didn’t wait for national headlines. At the invitation of a local church, they mobilized volunteers to walk muddy streets, deliver supplies, and offer calm presence in the midst of heartbreak.

“Our ministry is about showing up,” said Chris Singer, President of LCC. “It’s not always about what we do—it’s that we’re there.”

This simple but powerful approach defines LCC’s work. Whether through their K-9 Comfort Dog teams, Hearts of Mercy & Compassion crosses, crisis response volunteers, or their new Care Teams, LCC’s mission is rooted in compassionate presence and prayerful action.

Serving Where They’re Invited

LCC deploys where the need is—and where they’re invited. Every team is based in a local church and offers care at no charge. Their growing network of volunteers supports people in schools, hospitals, disaster zones, and local neighborhoods.

A story from one K-9 team illustrates what this presence can mean. During a hospital visit, they stepped into an elevator with a woman heading into surgery. She asked about the dog, and the team walked with her to her room and stayed for a while. Later, her grandson wrote to say that the visit helped calm her fears. The reason? “Your people are so kind and caring. That really comes across on the other end of the leash.”

Investing in Volunteer and Staff Care

However, caring for others can take a toll. That’s why one of Singer’s first steps as president was implementing “mental wellness days” for staff. He also introduced a resource that’s now helping hundreds of LCC volunteers and leaders care for themselves and others more effectively: Spiritual First Aid.

“Spiritual First Aid sets it forward in a way we can understand,” Singer said. “We can process it—not only for those we serve, but also for ourselves.”

One employee told him, “I’ve been doing trauma work forever, but until now, I hadn’t really stopped to talk about it—or its impact.”

Spiritual First Aid in Action

To date, more than 1,500 LCC leaders and volunteers have completed Spiritual First Aid training. The most common feedback? They’re learning to listen in a new way.

Singer explained, “I’ll be in a conversation and think, ‘That’s a biological need,’ or, ‘That’s a livelihood need.’ Before, I might’ve just said, ‘I’m sorry you’re going through that.’ Now I’m listening more effectively—and helping more intentionally.”

Even staff members not directly involved in crisis response have found the training useful. One used it unexpectedly at a concert, offering presence and calm to a woman whose loved one had collapsed nearby. 

Expanding Their Reach

This year, LCC launched its fourth program: Care Teams. These volunteer groups respond not just to major events, but also to ongoing needs in their communities. With new affiliate churches signing up and more volunteers being trained, Singer dreams of having LCC teams in every state.

“Spiritual First Aid helped our teams grow in confidence and clarity,” he said. “It gives them a framework for being present in a way that truly supports healing.”

Shared Mission, Shared Impact

For Singer, this work is deeply rooted in biblical tradition. He often references 2 Corinthians 1:4—“God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort others…”

“That’s not just LCC’s mission,” he said. “That’s a calling for all of us.”

Whether offering comfort with a golden retriever, a listening ear, or a helping hand, LCC is equipping Christian helpers to make a difference—from moments of everyday stress to seasons of overwhelming grief.

To learn more about Lutheran Church Charities, visit: https://lutheranchurchcharities.org

To explore training and tools from Spiritual First Aid, visit: https://spiritualfirstaid.org