Denise Bailey, Director of Operations for the South Carolina District of the Wesleyan Church, provides ministry and church leaders with practical advice on navigating insurance decisions, emphasizing the importance of developing strong relationships with insurance representatives and making informed choices that balance stewardship with appropriate coverage. She shares first-hand experiences in reviewing policies, handling claims, and proactively reducing risk through preventative maintenance. The discussion highlights actionable strategies to ensure ministries are well-protected while freeing leaders to focus on their core mission.

Brotherhood Works was launched to provide ministries with comprehensive solutions that go far beyond traditional insurance offerings. By uniting payroll, HR, employee benefits, background screening, and missions support under one brand, Brotherhood Works aims to relieve administrative burdens and empower ministries to focus on their core mission. Gabriel Brown (Sales and Operations VP for Brotherhood Works) and Michael Brown (Employee Benefits Producer, IL, IN, MI, Lightwell Insurance Advisors) highlight how these ministry-specific services, developed through decades of direct ministry engagement, uniquely equip churches, camps, and schools to thrive in operational excellence and compliance.

Key Points/Topics Covered

1. The Origin and Purpose of Brotherhood Works
2. Ministries’ Non-Insurance Needs: HR, Payroll, and Employee Benefits
3. Specialized Ministry Services: Background Screening, Abuse Prevention, and Missions Care
4. The Ministry-Focused Approach and Customization of Solutions
5. Access and Next Steps for Ministry Leaders

Pastors and ministry leaders, particularly those juggling multiple roles or feeling burdened by the demands of shepherding a congregation, need encouragement.  Through the lens of Kimmett Bellows’ unique experience as both a pastor and an agent for Lightwell Insurance Advisors in Texas and New Mexico, the conversation emphasizes the importance of focusing on one’s calling rather than results, balancing practical safety with spiritual care, and sustaining heart for ministry in challenging seasons. Also discussed: concrete risk management tips to help leaders steward their ministries safely and effectively.

Focused on empowering churches and ministries to pursue international missions confidently, this episode highlights the importance of having the right insurance protection for mission travel. Drawing from firsthand experience and industry expertise, Jonathan Norton unpacks key misconceptions about personal and church insurance coverage, emphasizes critical policy features like emergency evacuation, and encourages ministries to partner with knowledgeable advisors. The aim is to ensure mission teams can focus on serving and advancing the kingdom, knowing their risk management needs are thoughtfully addressed.

Key Points/Topics Covered

1. The role of mission travel insurance and common misconceptions about coverage
2. Essential features and benefits of mission trip insurance, including emergency evacuation
3. Navigating high-risk destinations and understanding policy exclusions
4. Real-world examples illustrating the impact of proactive vs. reactive risk management
5. Practical advice for planning, selecting, and maximizing insurance for mission trips

The episode explores the crucial role of mission travel insurance in supporting church and ministry teams as they serve around the world. Tyler Ward (Sales Manager with Brotherhood Works) and Logan Kruse (Specialty Sales Lead of Global Mission, Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company) share practical insights and real-life stories, illustrating how appropriate coverage can protect against unforeseen challenges, empower leaders with peace of mind, and honor the responsibility ministries have toward their travelers. The discussion highlights how Faith Ventures Mission Trip Insurance, backed by a specialized team, bridges practical risk management with the greater mission of advancing God’s kingdom globally.

Explore the balance between fostering a welcoming environment and maintaining robust safety and security practices within church ministries.  Craig Cable (Director of Ministry Safety and Strategic Partnerships for Lightwell Insurance Advisors in Colorado, N. Dakota, S. Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming) addresses the practical steps and mindset shifts ministries need to implement to right-size their perception of risk, empower teams, and align safety practices with their mission. Through real-life examples and expert advice, listeners are given actionable tools to move beyond fear-based reactions and create secure, caring spaces for their congregations, and to be open to learning what you don't know that you don't know. 

Churches and ministries face the challenge of ensuring the safety, protection, and well-being of their communities without compromising their mission of hospitality and faith. Ben Johnson, Managing Partner for Lightwell Insurance Advisors in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama, draws on decades of experience to outline practical, scalable steps ministries can take to prepare for emergencies -- from medical events to active shooters -- while fostering a welcoming, faith-filled environment. Through real stories, actionable advice, and a stewardship mindset, this episode empowers ministry leaders to assess risks, build effective teams, and balance spiritual trust with sound policies. Ben provides insights on the rising importance of ministry safety and security planning, preparing for both extreme and everyday incidents: active shooter vs. common emergencies, building balanced, diverse safety teams and developing effective training strategies, affordable, practical steps (including background and reference checks) for small ministries, the role of insurance, risk management, and community resources in ministry protection, and balancing security procedures with gospel-centered hospitality and mission.

Lightwell Insurance Advisors is focused on identifying risks and crafting safeguards for organizations that lift up their communities. We’re a trusted partner in understanding risk management and insurance protection. This podcast provides a general overview of risk management principles and insurance. It should not be seen as a contractual agreement. Details about coverage, deductibles, limits, and services may vary by organization and location. Coverage decisions are made at the time of an actual claim, subject to the specific terms, conditions, coverages, limits, limitations, and exclusions of the policy.

Wears Valley Ranch in East Tennessee is dedicated to providing a loving Christian community for children from difficult family backgrounds, offering them a residential home, education, and counseling. COO Brian McDonnell reveals the unique challenges and rewards of running such a ministry, emphasizing the powerful partnership with insurance advisors like Ben Johnson from Lightwell Insurance Advisors, who go far beyond providing a policy to become trusted friends and resources. The discussion also celebrates the ripple effect of transformation, where children not only heal but go on to impact others, illustrating the far-reaching influence of dedicated support.

Lightwell Insurance Advisors is focused on identifying risks and crafting safeguards for organizations that lift up their communities. We’re a trusted partner in understanding risk management and insurance protection. This podcast provides a general overview of risk management principles and insurance. It should not be seen as a contractual agreement. Details about coverage, deductibles, limits, and services may vary by organization and location. Coverage decisions are made at the time of an actual claim, subject to the specific terms, conditions, coverages, limits, limitations, and exclusions of the policy.

Employee benefits play a critical role in helping ministry staff stay healthy, supported, and committed to their calling -- yet many ministries assume meaningful coverage is out of reach. Jestin Davis, Employee Benefits Director for Lightwell Insurance Advisors in Ohio, breaks down what makes a strong benefits package for ministries, no matter the size or budget. Jestin explains the three foundational pillars of ministry benefits -- health insurance, ancillary coverage (such as dental, vision, and disability), and retirement -- and how ministries can navigate options even with limited resources. From debunking common misconceptions to exploring creative alternatives like level-funded plans and marketplace subsidies, this conversation empowers ministry leaders to prioritize staff care without breaking the bank.

In this episode:

• The 3 Pillars of Ministry Employee Benefits
• Budget-Conscious Benefits Strategies
• Health Insurance Trends and Alternatives
• Retirement Planning with Ministry-Specific Nuances
• Recruiting and Retaining Staff through Better Benefits
• The Importance of Marketing and Evaluating Your Benefits Plan

Even if your budget is zero, there are actionable ways to build a plan that honors and sustains the people who serve.

Lightwell Insurance Advisors is focused on identifying risks and crafting safeguards for organizations that lift up their communities. We’re a trusted partner in understanding risk management and insurance protection. This podcast provides a general overview of risk management principles and insurance. It should not be seen as a contractual agreement. Details about coverage, deductibles, limits, and services may vary by organization and location. Coverage decisions are made at the time of an actual claim, subject to the specific terms, conditions, coverages, limits, limitations, and exclusions of the policy.

The evolving landscape of insurance for churches and ministries invites a focus on what insurability means today and why proactive risk management is more crucial than ever. John Korsmo, President and Managing Partner of Lightwell Insurance Advisors in Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Dakotas, and Wyoming, joins Adam Clark to discuss the changing expectations of insurance companies, highlighting the importance of tangible actions, strong management practices, and an ownership mindset for ministries to maintain and improve their insurability. Practical examples, legal considerations, and actionable advice equip ministry leaders to steward their organizations well in a challenging insurance marketplace.

Lightwell Insurance Advisors is focused on identifying risks and crafting safeguards for organizations that lift up their communities. We’re a trusted partner in understanding risk management and insurance protection. This podcast provides a general overview of risk management principles and insurance. It should not be seen as a contractual agreement. Details about coverage, deductibles, limits, and services may vary by organization and location. Coverage decisions are made at the time of an actual claim, subject to the specific terms, conditions, coverages, limits, limitations, and exclusions of the policy.