
Watch our Caring Support video to learn more about this ministry
Struggling to Stand
When our recovery group was over, people started gathering up their belongings and heading for the door. As I began to gather up my own things, I noticed one guy struggling to help another guy get out of his chair and onto his feet. The sight of their struggle struck me, and I had to stop and take it in. The man struggling to stand had a weak leg due to cerebral palsy, and the man helping him up was wearing a walking cast and leaning on a cane due to a fractured kneecap. Here was one wounded person helping out another wounded person. As they struggled together, it occurred to me that here was a perfect picture of what our Caring Support ministry — or any gospel ministry — really is: Struggling and forgiven people reaching out to other struggling and forgiven people.
Carrying out gospel ministry through Caring Support groups is all about helping people to see how the God of all grace not only loves and forgives us, He also equips us to meet the struggles of each new day, by turning to the one who says “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mat. 11:28-30)
Chaplain Philip Merten
Caring Support
Caring Support is a ministry for people struggling with: drug or alcohol addictions; moral injury or post-traumatic stress; or returning to society following incarceration. Our support groups provide a safe place where we can explore personal struggles, everyday challenges, and things that have gone wrong in our lives.

Addiction Recovery
Addiction has the power to ravage the body and hold the mind and spirit captive. Caring Support offers ongoing support and a positive environment, providing God’s unconditional love and strength to help combat the urge to return to the slavery of addiction.
Read our Featured Addiction Story
Watch the Recovery-Friendly Church
Learn more about Moral Injury for Society

Frontline Workers
First responders and those in the helping and healing professions regularly find themselves assaulted by the worst of evils. This not only causes physical stress, but moral injury that scars the human spirit. Caring Support provides an opportunity to talk to each other, to be reminded that our Lord endured evil so that we might have a place to go with our burdens and find strength beyond our weaknesses.

For Returning Citizens
After serving time in prison, returning to society can be an overwhelming adjustment. God's love for returning citizens is unconditional. Caring Support is a place of forgiveness where individuals can gather together and discover true freedom - freedom of the body, mind and spirit.
Learn more about Moral Injury for Society
Latest Caring Support Articles
Check out our IM.Life stories, articles and experiences.
The Lord’s Certain and Sure Coming
Over seven hundred years before the Savior’s birth, Isaiah foretold: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders” (NIV, Isaiah 9:6).
Read MoreGod’s Word Is Our Treasure
Cindy’s past was riddled with troubles. She had suffered brain injuries in utero. She had been involved in episodes of violence and trauma.
Read MoreEncouraging Christians in Jail
Have you ever thought about how hard it is to be an incarcerated Christian? Yes, Christians commit crimes, too.
Read MoreWhat is PTSD?
Here is a simple, non-clinical answer: When something traumatic happens in our lives, we react strongly in our body, mind and spirit. This is normal. The reaction is strong because it is a normal reaction to an abnormal...
Read MoreChallenged
After 34 years as a chaplain with Institutional Ministries, it can be tempting to think I’ve seen it all and done it all. But no. God has an endless bag of surprises, and he loves to pull new stuff out.
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