Prayer, Care, And Support

PASTORAL CARE

Christ’s love, shared in life’s hardest moments

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Walking with You in Every Season

Compassionate Support

Pastoral Care exists to walk with you through life’s challenges and transitions by offering Christ-centered support, prayer, and presence when you need it most.

Scripture calls us to “rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:12–15).

At Houston’s First, Pastoral Care reflects this calling by offering Christ-centered compassion to those in need. Our staff and trained volunteers come alongside individuals and families in times of crisis, grief, illness, or transition, meeting practical needs, offering spiritual support, and embodying the love of Christ through presence, prayer, and hospitality.

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People Praying

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Celebrations of Life

Celebrations of Life

We come alongside families during times of loss to plan meaningful services that honor loved ones and offer the hope of Christ.

Hospital Visits

Hospital Visits

Whether you're facing surgery or an unexpected stay, our team will pray with you and offer encouragement during your time in the hospital.

Homebound Care

Homebound Care

Our team provides ongoing care and connection for those unable to attend church in person, ensuring they remain a valued part of our church family.

HopeHouse

HopeHouse

HopeHouse offers temporary housing and holistic support for individuals or families in crisis, helping them stabilize and take next steps with dignity.

Support Groups

Support Groups

Support Strength and healing in community through biblically grounded support groups designed for those navigating grief, recovery, and other life challenges.

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Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministers are trained church members who provide one-on-one, confidential care to people walking through difficult seasons.

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Upcoming Events

Check out upcoming events and gatherings that offer hope, encouragement, and connection.

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06 APR
Houston's First Events | Common Ground

Common Ground

Apr 6, 2026 @ 10a — The Loop

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04 MAY
Houston's First Events | Common Ground

Common Ground

May 4, 2026 @ 10a — The Loop

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01 JUNE
Houston's First Events | Common Ground

Common Ground

June 1, 2026 @ 10a — The Loop

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06 JULY
Houston's First Events | Common Ground

Common Ground

July 6, 2026 @ 10a — The Loop

See Event

Care Groups

Find a support group for your life stage.

Ashes to Beauty

A safe, Christ-centered space for women healing from sexual abuse through support and stories of restoration. Monthly meeting led by...

The Loop Pastoral Care
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CanHope

Support and encouragement for families affected by illness—before, during, and after treatment.

Please register for the meeting using the links...

The Loop Pastoral Care
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Once at 3/5/2026 1:30 PM

Common Ground

Support for caregivers to share experiences, gain tools, and care for themselves while supporting others.

The Loop Pastoral Care
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Flourish

Fellowship and spiritual encouragement for widows of all ages through monthly meals, events and connection opportunities. We provide compassion, prayer...

The Loop Pastoral Care
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Grief Share - Cypress

Start: Jan 14

End: May 6

Requires minimum if two participants.

Grief Share is a grief recovery support group designed to help people as they grieve...

Cypress Pastoral Care
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Grief Share - Downtown

Start: Apr 12

End: May 3

Join us as we continue our Grief Share journey with sessions 9 thru 13. A weekly Grief Share group is...

Downtown Pastoral Care Support Group
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Grief Share - Sienna

A GriefShare support group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. Through this 13-week...

Sienna Adults Pastoral Care Support Group
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Grief Share - The Loop

GriefShare is a safe place to come and discuss what you are experiencing after the loss of a loved one...

The Loop Pastoral Care
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Iron To Iron

Fellowship and faith-based support for widowers through shared meals and conversation.

Contact: Sam Parker
713-957-6766
sam.parker@houstonsfirst.org

The Loop Pastoral Care
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The Gathering Place

Social and spiritual support for adults with memory loss in a safe, engaging environment. Contact: Nanci Engle
281-732-5178
...

The Loop Pastoral Care
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FAQs

You can reach out through our online care request form or by calling the church office at 713.681.8000. Our staff will gladly follow up to learn more and connect you with the right team who can offer the support you need.

Stephen Ministry is one-on-one, confidential Christian care offered by trained laypeople to those walking through grief, illness, life transitions, or spiritual struggles. It's available to anyone in our church or community needing emotional and spiritual support. Stephen Ministers are available before and after each Worship Service on Sundays in the Main Lobby at The Loop Campus.

If you feel called to serve as a Stephen Minister, we welcome you to apply for Stephen Ministry. Stephen Ministers complete a 12-week training and commit to ongoing supervision. Other serving opportunities have varying requirements. Contact our team to learn more and get started.

Stephen Ministry can provide support during difficulties in life. Let a Stephen Minister walk alongside you! 

• Loss of a loved one • Spiritual Crisis • Discouragement • Job loss • Divorce or separation • Disability • Loneliness • Hospitalization • Terminal Illness • Life Challenges • Birth, adoption, miscarriage, or infertility • Accident or disaster recovery


Hope House serves individuals or families traveling to Houston for medical treatment by offering temporary housing near the Texas Medical Center. Priority is given to those facing financial or logistical challenges during extended care.

Yes. Whether it’s a member of our church or a loved one, our trained hospital visitation team offers spiritual encouragement and prayer during hospital stays, surgeries, or recovery—within a 75-mile radius of the church.

We offer a range of biblically grounded support groups for those facing grief, caregiving challenges, illness, memory loss, and more. Each group provides community, encouragement, and practical help for life’s difficult seasons. All current opportunities are shown above. If you have any questions about any of them, please contact us. We’d be glad to help!

Contact the Pastoral Care team to begin planning by calling the church office at 713.681.8000 or sending us an email to Pastoral.Care@HoustonsFirst.org. We will guide you through selecting a location, coordinating with ministers and musicians, and arranging for receptions and technical needs, all with compassion and care so you can plan a service that honors your loved one and offers to those who grieve.

Volunteers (or PATHMAKERS as we call them) are essential to our ministry. From hospital visits to homebound care, Stephen Ministers to hospitality greeters at funeral services, there are many ways for you to serve. We also appreciate your prayers and financial gifts, which help sustain these vital ministries. However you choose to serve, we equip and support our PATHMAKERS to share Christ’s love and carry out Romans 12-style care.

No. While many services are geared toward our church family, we welcome and serve anyone in need. We believe that care is one of the ways we extend the love and hospitality of Jesus to all.

In addition to support groups, Pastoral Care offers individual prayer, hospital and home visits, Stephen Ministry’s one-on-one care, and referrals to counseling services when appropriate.

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of our ministry. Care providers, including Stephen Ministers and PATHMAKERS, are trained to maintain privacy and handle all information with the utmost respect and discretion.

While Pastoral Care itself does not provide direct financial aid, we can connect you with church resources and community partners that offer support for those facing financial hardships.