Course curriculum

This online training will increase your knowledge of mental illnesses, addictions, trauma, ways to support and assist others, connecting people to treatment and resources, emergency response tips, and strategies to educate, increase support, and reduce stigma throughout entire congregations. Complete this video-based course at your own pace.

  1. Module 1 - Churches Care Introduction and Overview

  2. Module 2 - Mental Illnesses

  3. Module 3 - Substance Use Disorder/ Addiction

  4. Module 4 - Self-Care, Stigma and Supporting Others

  5. Module 5 - Case Studies, Resources and Wrap-up

Churches Care Online Course

  • 18 hour, in-depth training
  • 1.8 Clergy CEUs from Brethren Academy
  • Registration Fee $149.00

Churches Care - Mental Health Instructors

Janelle Bitikofer, MSW, LCSW

Executive Director of We Rise International

Janelle Bitikofer, MSW, LCSW is a mental health and substance abuse counselor and educator with more than twenty-five years of experience assisting individual and families. She has worked in all levels of mental health and substance abuse treatment, from psychiatric hospitals and inpatient SUD programs, to outpatient counseling and emergency response services. She is also an experienced Red Cross and STAR trained frontline trauma responder. Janelle has served five years as Adjunct Faculty at Eastern Mennonite University. She is the Executive Director of We Rise International and the author of “Streetlights” a mental health and addictions guidebook for Christians.

Jannah Welcome

Trauma Trainer and Facilitator

Jannah Welcome is a trainer and facilitator with the Trauma Healing Institute and a Big Leap Certified Coach with the Hendricks Institute who provides trauma healing coaching at https://www.soundhappiness.com.

Linda Witmer, RN, MPH, MSPH, M.Div.

Linda Witmer taught and served as past Director of the RN-BS in Nursing program at Eastern Mennonite University in Lancaster for 15 years, and though she retired in 2021, she continues as adjunct faculty. Linda worked in international public health for 23 years among the Q’eqchi’ indigenous group in Guatemala, partnering with them to initiate a high school for youth. Her work in community health in Coatesville, PA led to the formation of Bridge of Hope, Inc. a non-profit organization serving homeless women and children. Since 2009, Linda has been a spiritual director who leads retreats, and she is involved in leadership roles at Laurel Street Mennonite Church.

Churches Care - Substance Use Disorder Instructors

Carmen Nahir Medina, CFRS

Certified Family Recovery Specialist

Carmen Nahir Medina is a Certified Family Recovery Specialist who works as a Case Manager for individuals experiencing Substance Use Disorder at the Naaman Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She is the Board Director and Presenter on addictions and families for the GOAL Project (Global Addiction Recovery Partners), an addiction education organization. Carmen serves as a church youth leader and part-time missionary, and she is passionate about assisting Spanish communities and others with substance use disorder, encouraging them to make positive changes in their lives. With over seven years of professional experience, and personal experience with addiction in her family, Carmen's motivation is to educate the community and church to understand and respond to the disease of Substance Use Disorder.

Scott Theurer, CRS

Certified Recovery Specialist

Scott is a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and a man in long-term recovery from substance use disorder. For the past several years he has been involved in the recovery advocacy movement in Lancaster County which works to strengthen recovery within individuals and our various communities. As Chairperson of The Lancaster County Recovery Alliance since 2015, Scott has been involved with the creation of Joining Forces Lancaster and Project Lazarus Lancaster County. He is also part of the team presenting the annual Recovery Day Lancaster event in September. Most recently Scott has consulted for the Pennsylvania Certification Board with a team of peers reviewing CRS testing curriculum and with the Donegal Substance Abuse Alliance on a program designed for recovering individuals who are re-entering communities after an incarceration. Scott is the Director of Recovery Environments for R3 House/ R3 Recovery Services a residential recovery program in Lancaster PA.

Churches Care Testimonials

“Great information and practical for use in my church and community. ”

Patti Jo Hibshman, Church Staff Member

“Very helpful in discussing how to serve our parish members...concrete thoughts and suggestions on how to educate the parish and reduce stigma associated with substance use disorders and mental illnesses. ”

P. Stratten, Church Addictions Ministry

“Thank you so much for this opportunity and the heart of compassion you inspire in others through this program!”

Pastor Janet Newett

“As a pastor, this is the type of resource on mental health that I have been looking for.”

Pastor Todd Gusler

“It would be good for everyone in the church to have this kind of training.”

J. Christophel, Nurse

“Your training and support made a huge difference for us!”

Pastor Leslie Homer-Catell