Your lane (important)
You are a ministry listener, not a licensed clinician. Don’t diagnose or give medical or legal advice. Pray, encourage, and refer when someone needs professional help or is in danger.
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…” — James 1:19 (NIV)
What you’ll do
Create safety
Private-ish space, calm tone, no interrupting their story.
Reflect & clarify
“Sounds like you’re feeling…” helps them feel heard.
Pray & refer
Offer prayer; know the escalation path for crisis or abuse.
Escalate immediately if…
- Someone expresses intent to harm themselves or others.
- A child or vulnerable adult may be unsafe—tell your lead before you promise secrecy.
- You feel out of your depth—that’s wisdom, not failure.
Involve your on-site lead and, when it’s safe and appropriate, help the person reach trained professionals. If there is immediate danger, call 911. For mental health emergencies in Houston, you can say you need a mental health or CIT response if the dispatcher asks.
Houston-area & national hotlines (share when escalation fits)
All numbers below are established public helplines. Availability is 24/7 unless noted. You are not replacing these services—your role is to listen, pray as appropriate, involve your lead, and help them connect.
- Suicide & mental health crisis 988 — call or text (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, nationwide including Houston). Chat: 988lifeline.org 713-970-7000 — The Harris Center Crisis & Access Line (Greater Houston)
- Domestic violence & intimate partner abuse 713-528-2121 or 1-800-256-0551 — Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC), 24/7 1-800-799-7233 — National Domestic Violence Hotline (can route to local help)
- Substance use & treatment referral 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) — SAMHSA National Helpline (free, confidential; treatment & support info for Texas & U.S.)
- Human trafficking 1-888-373-7888 — National Human Trafficking Hotline (24/7; text 233733)
- Unexpected pregnancy & crisis pregnancy support (Houston) 713-225-5826 — Houston Area Pregnancy Help / Gabriel Project network 281-484-0005 — Pregnancy SOS (Beltway area crisis pregnancy support)
Do
- • Ask permission before touching or praying aloud.
- • Summarize what you heard to show understanding.
- • Thank them for trusting you with their story.
Avoid
- • “At least…” or minimizing their pain.
- • Sharing their story with others without consent.
- • Rushing to advice when they need to be heard.
Leading people to Jesus
When someone is ready and the Holy Spirit opens the door, gently invite them to receive Christ—not with pressure, but with clarity and love. Explain that salvation is a gift we receive by faith. If they want to respond, tell them you’ll pray together and ask them to repeat after you, slowly, phrase by phrase (or short lines at a time) so they can follow in their own words aloud or quietly.
Always ask first: “Would you like to pray with me to ask Jesus into your life?” If they say no, honor that and keep listening and praying for them with respect. When they’re ready, you can say clearly: “Repeat after me…” and lead the prayer below.
Prayer of salvation (lead them: “Repeat after me…”)
“Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for me, thank you for taking my sins away and giving me your life. I confess you as my Lord and Savior today, I am a new person in you, today I am born again and alive forever in you, thank you for saving me, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.”
Afterward, thank them, encourage them to tell a trusted believer, read the Bible, and connect with a local church. Offer your team’s follow-up or resource card if your site lead provides one.