The Care Ministry Podcast

By Laura Howe

Building a culture of care in your church can feel as complex as the people you serve. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Laura Howe offers listeners practical resources and actionable strategies to... more

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FAQs about The Care Ministry Podcast:

How many episodes does The Care Ministry Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 193 episodes available.

The Care Ministry Podcast episodes:

August 28, 2025191: Systematizing Care Without Losing Heart: A Culture-Driven Approach to Ministry
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 designing systems that make care sustainable—not overwhelming.

Quotes
“We're called to equip the saints for the work of ministry—and that includes caring for people in crisis, people dealing with grief, addiction, or just struggling.” –Eric Freemon
“When they’re done well, systems don’t take the heart out of care—they help it grow.” –Laura Howe
”When we build systems of care into the culture of the church, it’s not just about reacting to crisis—it’s about preventing burnout, both for leaders and for those being cared for.” –Eric Freemon
“Because care happens in relationship. When we foster connection, we naturally foster care.” –Laura Howe
“While growth isn’t the goal, it’s often the by-product of creating a church culture that feels safe, connected, and grounded in authentic relationships.” –Laura Howe

Resources
Church Mental Health Summit
Care Protocol
Connect with Hope Made Strong
Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
...more
58min
August 14, 2025190: Celebrating 100K Downloads - 5 Practices to Cultivate a Safe and Deep Community with David Kim
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 practices for building safe, healing communities are just as relevant today. Plus, registration is now open for the 2025 Church Mental Health Summit happening on October 10! If you're ready to go deeper, check out the Summit Circle membership for ongoing tools, coaching, and connection.

Quotes
We are tired of shallow conversations and relationships.
God made us in community for community.
Humans are known for hiding ourselves.
If we continue to hide, how can we be known?

Resources
David Kim on Instagram
westgatechurch.org
Church Mental Health Summit

Connect with Hope Made Strong
Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
...more
21min
August 07, 2025189: Becoming an Attuned Listener with Dr. Jackie Perry
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 listening in care ministry. You’ll also hear how Jackie’s heart for ministry shaped our course, The Attuned Listener, launching again this month. It’s a perfect sneak peek for anyone looking to deepen their skills in providing care that’s supportive, sustainable, and spiritually grounded.

Quotes
Good clinicians are integrating the “why” into the work they do.
We don’t know how to do connection very well globally.
The brain is good at anticipating…It’s not very good at sitting and waiting.
It takes some work to get to what’s underneath.

Resources
The Attuned Listener
Church Mental Health Summit

Connect with Hope Made Strong
Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
...more
49min
July 24, 2025188: From Overwhelmed to Organized: A Coaching Call on Sustainable Care Ministry
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 insights on navigating the complexities of community walk-ins, limited church resources, and how to lovingly set boundaries. Together, they discuss the importance of knowing your capacity, building trust, and creating sustainable care ministries that extend hope and dignity to all.

Quotes
"If I found this much healing and God touched my life this way, what could I do with my story and my struggles to help others?" — Rebecca Nordquist
"We don't want people to feel rejected or too much of a burden. It's about building trust, relationship, and treating people with dignity." — Laura Howe
"One person cannot care for an entire congregation and community. That’s why we train our small groups to care well for each other." — Rebecca Nordquist
"As churches, we need to know what we do well and what we need to redirect. That’s key to any ministry." — Rebecca Nordquist
"It's not about saying no — it's about saying, 'let me introduce you to my friend' and partnering to meet needs together." — Laura Howe

Resources
Church Mental Health Summit

Connect with Hope Made Strong
Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
...more
50min
July 10, 2025187: Understanding the Helpers – Who’s Who in Mental Health Support
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 health and sustainability. This episode provides honest, encouraging insight for anyone serving in a caregiving role in the church.

Quotes
Rebecca Bailey:
“The cost of caring is real—and if we’re not intentional, it will catch up to us.”
Laura Howe:
“We often underestimate the emotional labor of ministry—it’s not just about what we do, but what we carry.”
Rebecca Bailey:
“One of the most spiritual things you can do is take a nap. Rest is holy.”
Laura Howe:
“Leaders need space to process their own pain while they hold space for others.”
Rebecca Bailey:
“You don’t have to wait until you’re falling apart to seek support. Preventative care is powerful.”

Resources
Church Care Coordinator Job Description
Connect with Hope Made Strong
Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
...more
58min
July 03, 2025186: From Chaos to Clarity: Organizing Church Care with CareNote
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 care follow-up, and the potential for technology to empower both staff and volunteers in offering holistic care. Whether you're a solo pastor or part of a large team, this episode is packed with practical insight and heart for sustainable, impactful care.

Quotes
Donnell Wyche:
“CareNote helps you take the compassion that you have as a care provider and turn it into action.”
Laura Howe:
“You don’t have to meet every need, but what a church needs to do is foster belonging, purpose, and hope.”
Donnell Wyche:
“People aren’t calling for care, but they’re still asking for it in the little disclosures they make. And being seen is the beginning of feeling loved.”
Donnell Wyche:
“We’re not just collecting data—we’re enabling pastoral touchpoints that matter, like remembering a birthday or celebrating a rehab milestone.”
Laura Howe:
“This is the sticky part of church that keeps people connected—care is the Gospel.”

Resources
CareNote.app
Register for the Church Mental Health Summit

Connect with Hope Made Strong
Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
...more
53min
June 26, 2025185: Creating Dignified Care: Lessons from the Field with Tricia Marble
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 bridging the generational gap between older and younger community members.
They discuss the importance of intentional care, understanding the needs of the elderly, and the value of community engagement. The conversation also highlights the wisdom gained from experience in care ministry and the significance of building supportive networks among care ministers.

Quotes
"It's okay to not have all the answers."
"We want to care well by being well."
"Care always happens in relationship."

Resources
Church Mental Health Summit
Care Ministry Collective
Coaching Application

Connect with Hope Made Strong
Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
...more
1h 2min
June 12, 2025184: When the Plate is Too Full: Boundaries, Delegation, and Self-Care in Ministry
“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 setting boundaries, delegating tasks, and avoiding burnout. With wisdom and vulnerability, they offer encouragement for ministry leaders to care for themselves while faithfully serving others.

Quotes
“We tend to take on what’s not ours to carry, and it’s exhausting.”
– Rebecca Bailey
“Sometimes the hardest part is admitting you can’t do it all.”
– Laura Howe
“Burnout doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’ve been strong for too long without rest.”
– Rebecca Bailey

Resources
What’s on Your Plate

Connect with Hope Made Strong
Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
...more
39min
June 05, 2025183. RelateStrong: Creating Safe and Connected Church Communities with Dee Dee Mayer
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. Together, they reflect on the importance of boundaries, spiritual strength, and not doing ministry alone. Tune in to hear practical tips and heartfelt wisdom for anyone passionate about supporting others while staying healthy themselves.

Quotes
Dee Dee: “If God calls you to something, He will equip you. But that doesn't mean you do it alone.”
Laura: “We often confuse helping with fixing, but true support means walking alongside—not taking over.”
Dee Dee: “The people who show up with willing hearts are often the ones God uses most.”
Laura: “Healthy boundaries aren’t walls—they’re bridges that protect relationships and energy.”
Dee Dee: “You don’t have to be the expert, just present and prayerful.”

Resources
RelateStrong workshop

Connect with Hope Made Strong
Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
...more
51min
May 29, 2025182: Saying Yes to the Hard Thing: How Amy Hughes Turned a Calling Into Community Impact
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 insights are a powerful reminder of the church’s role in fostering healing and hope.

Quotes
Amy Hughes: "I have never had anyone say to me, 'We wish you hadn't done that.' In general, the feedback is very positive."
Laura Howe: "If we don't step outside our comfort zones, we miss out on incredible moments."
Amy Hughes: "You cannot do this alone. Gather a team of like-minded people who believe in what you're trying to do."
Laura Howe: "It's vulnerable, uncomfortable, and a lot of work, but the impact is worth every bit of effort."
Amy Hughes: "Don't assign yourself a single job on the day of the event except to host. It allows you to actually connect with people."

Resources
https://www.newtownroad.org/
Apply to become a Summit host

Connect with Hope Made Strong
Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
...more
40min

FAQs about The Care Ministry Podcast:

How many episodes does The Care Ministry Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 193 episodes available.

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