The Care Ministry Podcast

  “ God wants the best for you and He has the best for you.” We’re grateful to welcome Rebecca Taguma, Executive Director of The Trauma Healing Institute with us today. As she shares the realities of trauma and how it can affect people, she reminds us of the importance of the church’s response and role in providing care. The Trauma Healing Institute (THI) provides resources for churches to do...

Even though Care Ministry teams are not often known as being tech-savvy, there are a few strategic tools you can use to increase your capacity to serve. Tech tools can streamline processes and elevate the impact of your Care Ministry. Listen in today for a few helpful (and manageable) tools to get you started.   Quotes Care Ministry doesn’t have to live in your head. Most ministry leaders are...

“I need to tell my story because it reminds me of grace.” Meet Inés Franklin, Founder and President of Trochia Ministries, author of Uncharted: Navigating Your Unique Journey of Faith , and one of the teaching pastors at Mariners Church. Inés grew up in Puerto Rico and came to the United States with a desire to help people at a young age. But her story comes with many twists and turns that broug...

“ There were people who had needs inside of our church that I had been overlooking.” Just six months into a new care ministry role, Melissa felt like a failure. The Exec. team decided to shift the focus from external efforts to internal efforts of care within the church that were not yet foundationally strong. Listen to today’s episode for five areas Melissa was able to guide the team toward a str...

After working for 15 years as a clinical mental health social worker, Laura Howe began to dream up what it could look like for church leaders to provide excellent support for their communities…without the burnout piece that often follows. Today, Hope Made Strong provides support for leaders all over the world, reaching 100 countries with its resources, tools, and global Church Mental Health Summit...

“You need truthtellers in your life…even when it’s incredibly difficult.” In a world that is consumed with the “front stage,” or what is seen in ministry, it becomes increasingly important for us to maintain relationships that will build up the integrity of our “backstage” parts of life. The enemy tells us lies that drive us toward isolation, but Jimmy Dodd, Founder, and CEO of PastorServe, remind...

It’s one thing to survive with hope barely. But it’s an entirely different thing to overflow with it! And it’s possible! Today, we get to hear from Danielle Strickland, founder of Boundless Communications Inc. Danielle offers a new perspective on hope and shares how our culture often defines it inaccurately. Hope isn’t happiness. Hope isn’t distance. It’s honest, it’s present, and it’s active.&nbs...

“Go deep or go home.” Today we welcome Toni Collier, founder of an international women’s organization called Broken Crayons Still Color, to the podcast. In one of our most-viewed sessions of the 2023 Church Mental Health Summit, Toni clarifies the difference between guilt and shame. Toni encourages listeners to step away from being a fan of God and into the deeper calling of following Him, drawing...

In the rubble of our society’s relationships, how do we step into compassion and empathy to truly love our neighbors? Today, we’re joined by Edward Ng, a Registered Psychologist in Vancouver, Canada, and the founder and director of Eastgate Psychological Services. In today’s episode, we get to learn the difference between compassion and empathy and find out how to grow in empathy with key practice...

You don’t have to end your career on sick leave. Too many pastors and ministry leaders get to a stage of burnout, not realizing there is hope and healing from their exhaustion, emotions, and fatigue. Today’s guest, Rev. Dr. Chris Adams of Biola’s Rosemead School of Psychology and the Flourishing in Ministry Coaching Initiative shares with us a key factor for leaders desiring longevity in ministry....

Today’s special guest, Jessica Howard, is in a new role of leadership within the care ministry at her church. While only a few months into this role, she joined our Care Ministry Cohort, and in this episode, she shares her big takeaways. Listen in to learn how your unique church culture can benefit from the tools and resources in the Cohort, adapting them to be practical in streamlining and strate...

We’re grateful for Kathleen Otchy joining us on today’s episode! Kathleen joined a Care Ministry Cohort and, today, she gives us insight into a bit of her story, why she found value in our cohorts after over 20 years of Care Ministry experience, and the best advice for anyone just beginning a care ministry role.    Quotes Normalizing care is a very difficult thing to find.  There’s...

Today, we’re exploring the vital role of Care Coordinators in churches. It is the church's responsibility to provide belonging, purpose, and hope to its community. Care Coordinators can accomplish this with three core functions: managing communication of needs, nurturing relationships with community partners, and overseeing diverse volunteer teams. Listen in as we challenge traditional discipleshi...

Church is about creating a space of belonging and healing…together. Today, we get to hear from Rev. Rebecca Bailey, a clinical counselor and recovery ministry leader for the 510 Foundation, as well as a non-profit outreach arm of Nashville First Church of the Nazarene. Rebecca shares her journey from finding the Lord at age 30, to serving and working with the local church, to now ministering to ca...

Humanity shares three core needs: belonging, purpose, and hope. These are the three needs that inspired Laura Howe, Founder of Hope Made Strong, to bridge the gap between the clinical side of mental health and the church’s role in care ministry.  Today, we’re hearing a bit of Laura’s story along with an overview of how Hope Made Strong is supporting local churches around the world. A wide ran...

With churches on the front lines of responding to those struggling with mental health, leaders are beginning to ask important questions. What is our role? What responsibility does the church have? What is an appropriate response? Instead of walking this daunting journey alone, allow Hope Made Strong to walk alongside you! Today, we’re offering one of the most practical ways to move forward togethe...

If you missed the Church Mental Health Summit, today is your day! We’re highlighting five “hidden gems” from Oct. 10 so you can experience a taste of all the summit has to offer! Today, we’re hearing from Dr. David Anderson, Debra Fileta, David Kim, Dr. Jeanie Clarkson, and a special panel from the Trauma Healing Institute. In each session, we get a helpful perspective on mental health from profes...

The Church Mental Health Summit is coming up on October 10, and here is why YOU need to participate! With over 60 sessions available to stream, we are introducing a ton of resources, thought leaders, and organizations for you to further pursue as you equip your church and community for care. There is something for everyone! We’ve divided the sessions into four categories so you can choose what bes...

Mental health and the church. These two topics have historically stood at odds with one another in our societies. It’s been frowned upon to talk about, and as a result, many struggling with mental health have felt more shame and isolation than healing. But there is a shift happening. Church leaders are starting to recognize the Church's instrumental role in providing purpose, belonging, and hope f...

While the stigma of mental health mixing with faith can deter us from fully embracing it, today we’re reminded of what God has to say about mental health. Dr. Chris Adams joins us to give credibility to faith as an intricate link to mental health.  The church serves as a helpful resource for those who may feel unseen, underrepresented, and unserved. It’s becoming clearer and clearer that, in...

There’s a shift happening in the landscape of our churches surrounding the topic of mental health. In a special interview with Jaime Aten and Kent Annan on their Podcast, The Better Samaritan , we’re digging into positive trends in the church that are lessening the mental health stigma while boosting belonging, purpose, and hope. Communities are being transformed by the awareness and increased eff...

Join us today for an open and honest discussion about suicide prevention. Special guest Glen Bloomstrom introduces us to Living Works ASIST–a suicide prevention training he was first introduced to during his service as US Army Chaplain for 30 years.  It’s time to tackle the stigma surrounding suicide. What is the church’s role in providing care to those suffering from suicidal thoughts? Glen’...

If you’re looking for ways to build a strategic and sustainable Care Ministry, you will benefit greatly from the Care Ministry Cohorts! Today, Laura takes us on a “behind-the-scenes tour” of what you can experience when you join a Care Cohort!   Those in our cohorts gain access to priceless resources like: Community (ministry leaders who understand the nuances of care ministry) Vision assessm...

Church is an instrumental place of healing for those suffering from various addictions and traumas. In this episode,  we hear from Caroline Beidler, author of Downstairs Church: Finding Hope in the Grit of Addiction and Trauma Recovery , and advocate for recovering women. Caroline’s personal story of addiction and recovery brings to light key reminders for the church as it opens its doors to...

As leaders in ministry, we are always looking for better ways to create a culture of care and since the conception of The Care Ministry and this podcast, I have received a number of questions like; How one can start a care ministry? How do I recruit and train volunteers? What other churches are doing when it comes to care?   With The Care Ministry Cohort, we will walk with you step-by-step as...