The Care Ministry Podcast

Today, Laura sits down with therapist and ministry leader Rebecca to talk about what it looks like to integrate professional care and pastoral support in the church. They discuss the importance of psychological safety, how to cultivate healing environments in ministry, and why a strengths-based approach matters when building a culture of care. Their conversation highlights the blend of clinical in...

Today, Laura Howe pulls back the curtain on the Care Ministry Cohort, a five-month mastermind designed to equip ministry leaders with the tools and community they need to build sustainable care ministries. Laura shares her heart for church leaders who are overwhelmed by the needs of their congregation and unsure of where to begin. Listeners get a sneak peek into the four core modules of the cohort...

Today, Laura Howe sits down with James Harris, Head of Strategic Initiatives at NAYBA Australia, to explore how churches can respond to today’s mental health crisis, not by doing more, but by leaning into their identity as places of belonging and healing. They reflect on the success of Australia’s Church Mental Health Summit, the inspiring legacy of St. Dymphna, and innovative tools like social pr...

In this episode, Laura Howe sits down with Shelli Albright, Director of Care and Connection at Fortville Christian Church and a graduate of the Care Ministry Cohort. Shelli gives an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to lead a growing care ministry—and the tensions that come with wanting to help everyone while building sustainable systems. Through a real-life coaching conversation, y...

In today’s episode, Laura Howe is joined by Licensed Professional Counselor Rebecca Bailey to answer all your questions about the Church Mental Health Summit. Together, they share personal stories, lessons from years of caregiving ministry, and how collaboration with others brings exponential impact. Whether you're new to the summit or have been part of the journey from the beginning, this episode...

Get a sneak peek into the 2025 Church Mental Health Summit in this special preview episode! Host Laura Howe introduces you to five powerhouse speakers—one from each of the Summit's five tracks: Community & Compassion-in-Action, Family & Students, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Healing & Recovery, and Spiritual Formation & Caregiving. With over 50 speakers lined up for this free, gl...

In this insightful episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down with Ruth Brooks, Care Ministry Administrator at Mission Church in Ventura, California. Ruth shares her unexpected journey into care ministry, the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on how churches care for their congregations, and her excitement about hosting a Church Mental Health Summit watch party. The conversa...

In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast , Laura and Rebecca walk you through how to create an annual care ministry plan that integrates compassion and support across every layer of your church community. From identifying seasonal needs to aligning care initiatives with your church calendar and team capacity, this episode gives practical steps for intentional, strategic planning. Whether you'r...

In this powerful episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down with psychologist and author Dr. Alison Cook to explore the role of inner healing in ministry leadership. They discuss how unaddressed pain can hinder our ability to lead well, the difference between spiritual bypassing and true transformation, and how inner healing enhances rather than diminishes spiritual maturity. With...

In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast , host Laura Howe dives into a deeply practical and inspiring conversation with Eric Freemon from City Church in Knoxville, TN. Together, they explore how to build a culture of care in your church that is not only heartfelt but also strategic. Eric shares his journey of navigating rapid church growth, maintaining close-knit community connections, and de...

We’re celebrating a huge milestone—100,000 downloads of The Care Ministry Podcast! Thank you for being part of this growing community of care-minded leaders. To mark the moment, we’re resharing the most downloaded episode of all time: a powerful message from the 2023 Church Mental Health Summit featuring David Kim. Whether it’s your first listen or your fifth, David’s five practical, inspiring pra...

At Hope Made Strong, we’re taking a bit of a summer breather, and bringing back some of our top episodes for you to enjoy again—or maybe for the first time! This week, we’re resharing a powerful conversation with Dr. Jackie Perry, a Clinical Mental Health Counselor and founder of The SoulWell Center. As one of our most downloaded episodes, this replay is packed with wisdom on the power of listenin...

In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down with Rebecca Nordquist, Director of Care and Crisis at Verity Church, to explore how her church developed a thriving care ministry rooted in small groups, wraparound support, and robust community partnerships. Rebecca shares her personal story of finding healing from trauma, her passion for helping others do the same, and practical...

In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe welcomes Rebecca Bailey, a licensed professional counselor and coach for Hope Made Strong, to unpack the unique mental health needs of ministry leaders. With decades of experience in both clinical and church settings, Rebecca shares how leaders can manage the pressures of leadership, recognize signs of burnout, and build rhythms that lead to...

In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down with Donnell Wyche, long-time pastor and software developer, to explore how technology can support and expand care ministry. Donnell shares his journey from analog prayer cards to building CareNote, a care management platform that turns compassion into action. Together, they discuss the importance of being seen, the challenges of c...

In this podcast episode, Trisha Marble shares her journey in care ministry at Seven Rivers Church in Florida. She discusses the challenges of bridging generational gaps within the church, the importance of community engagement, and the systems in place to support care ministry. In this conversation, the speakers explore the challenges and opportunities in care ministry, particularly focusing on br...

“Burnout doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’ve been strong for too long without rest.” In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey explore the challenges ministry leaders face when trying to juggle too many responsibilities. They unpack the "What’s on Your Plate?" exercise, a practical tool that reveals just how overwhelmed we often are and guides leaders in set...

In this insightful episode, Laura sits down with Dee Dee Mayer from the Boone Center for the Family. Dee Dee is a community leader, and she shares about the journey of launching and sustaining a care ministry in the local church. Dee Dee shares candidly about the challenges of burnout, the joy of building relational connections, and the pivotal role of volunteers in creating a culture of care...

In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe talks with Amy Hughes about the journey of hosting a Church Mental Health Summit at her church in Saratoga Springs, New York. Amy shares her experiences, lessons learned, and the surprising connections that made the event so impactful. From building community partnerships to encouraging difficult conversations about mental health, Amy’s insi...

In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey share their “origin story” as friends and colleagues, reflecting on how their connection has shaped their work in the mental health and ministry space. They discuss their experiences at the Church Mental Health Summit, the origins of their coaching partnership, and the power of building authentic, supportive connections wi...

In this insightful episode of The Care Ministry Podcast , Laura Howe reconnects with Dr. Jamie Aten, co-founder of Spiritual First Aid, to explore how churches can become powerful sources of hope and healing through lay-led care. Jamie unpacks the research-backed “BLESS CPR” model, shares stories from disaster relief to church-based recovery, and outlines how Spiritual First Aid is equipping every...

In this powerful episode of The Care Ministry Podcast , Laura Howe sits down with Pastor Seth Perry to kick off Mental Health Awareness Month with a deeply personal and hopeful conversation. Seth shares his journey through bipolar disorder, addiction, and recovery, ultimately leading him back to faith and into pastoral ministry. Together, they discuss the intersection of mental health and ministry...

In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast , Laura Howe sits down with Hilary Spears, Director of Care at The Journey West County in St. Louis. Hilary shares the unique journey of her church—transitioning from a multi-site model to an independent congregation—and how that shift has impacted care ministry. With deep roots in counseling and a growing lay care team, Hilary brings wisdom and vulnera...

“Hosting a Mental Health Sunday isn’t about being experts—it’s about being open.” In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast , Laura and Rebecca dive into a topic that’s close to their hearts—mental health in the church. This time, the focus is all about hosting a meaningful Mental Health Sunday. From common hesitations to creative, hope-filled ideas, the episode offers a fresh perspective on ho...

In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast , Laura Howe welcomes Rebecca Taguma from the Trauma Healing Institute to discuss how churches can effectively respond to the rising needs of trauma care in their communities. As trauma, loneliness, and suffering grow more prevalent, the Church holds a unique and powerful role in offering healing. Rebecca shares the mission of the Trauma Healing Institu...