The Care Ministry Podcast

• 198: Thinking About Hosting a Summit? Here’s What We Learned from NAYBA Australia

  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 prescribing. This episode is a powerful reminder that churches aren’t just spiritual spaces…they’re untapped engines of community care. Quotes “There’s so much unmet need in our community and untapped potential in our churches.” — James Harris “We believe that in doing less, we can be more as the Church.” — James Harris “Churches don't need to do more. They need to rediscover who they already are.” — Laura Howe “What if the greatest need in our communities is actually the Church’s greatest strength?” — Laura Howe “We knew we had all these experts in the room, so we made sure they weren’t just consumers, but participants.” — James Harris Resources Apply to be a Summit host https://www.nayba.org/ The Church & Mental Health in Australia - A Report by NAYBA Australia [email protected] Three Mile an Hour God, by Kosuke Koyama CAN Link - https://amzn.to/4oqlqoy US Link - https://amzn.to/4hn1uRf Connect with Hope Made Strong Website: HopeMadeStrong.org Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

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• 197: Heart for People, Plan for Care: Making Benevolence Sustainable with Shellie Albright

  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, you’ll hear how Shelli is bringing unity to siloed ministries, developing shared criteria for benevolence decisions, and creating a culture of collaboration both within her church and in the wider community. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or just ready to take your next strategic step, this episode offers practical encouragement and a vision for care that’s both compassionate and structured. Quotes “We feel like we're just kind of answering the same questions over and over and in the moment. And it just feels very rushed and hurried. So I’m hoping that we can get that more organized and just make the decisions once—have the same criteria—and not have to keep kind of going through this haphazard process.” — Shelli Albright “Care ministry can be sacred and structured—it doesn’t have to be chaotic.” — Laura Howe “Most care leaders are building ministries on the fly—coaching gives structure to that passion.” — Laura Howe “Shelli’s story is a reminder that the presence of complexity doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It often means your church is becoming a trusted source of hope.” — Laura Howe Resources Free Mini-course: Clarify Your Care Ministry Care Ministry Cohort Connect with Hope Made Strong Website: HopeMadeStrong.org Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

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• 196: Church Mental Health Summit: FAQs, Tips, and Must-See Sessions

  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 will inspire you with behind-the-scenes insights, encouragement for care leaders, and a vision for the future of church mental health support. Quotes “When people are seen, heard, and valued—that's where healing begins.” –Rebecca Bailey “We’re not just hosting an event. We’re building a global movement of care within the church.” –Laura Howe “The stories shared at the Summit remind us why we do this work. It’s sacred, and it’s deeply needed.” –Rebecca Bailey “Hope Made Strong exists so no ministry leader feels like they have to carry the weight of care alone.” –Laura Howe “It's amazing what God can do when we just show up and say yes to caring for others.” –Rebecca Bailey Resources Church Mental Health Summit All Access Pass Church Bundle Connect with Hope Made Strong Website: HopeMadeStrong.org Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

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• 195: Inside the 2025 Church Mental Health Summit: Speaker Previews from Every Track

  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, global event on October 10, this episode highlights key voices you won’t want to miss. Hear impactful clips from Laura Barringer, Kay Warren, Rev. Wen-Pin Leow, Becky Brown, and Dr. Saru Koirala. Whether you’ve already registered or are just hearing about the summit, this episode will inspire you to engage more deeply in the movement to equip the Church for mental health ministry. Resources Church Mental Health Summit Connect with Hope Made Strong Website: HopeMadeStrong.org Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

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• 194: Hosting a Watch Party: Turn One Event into Year-Round Volunteer Training.

  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 conversation explores how to equip volunteers, create a culture of compassionate care, and redefine church beyond Sunday gatherings. Ruth’s story is one of resilience, faith, and deep compassion—a must-listen for anyone involved in care ministry. Quotes “We all have compassion that God gives us…” –Ruth Brooks “It stripped away everything we put on church to find out that church, at its core, is community.” –Laura Howe “I want our volunteers to feel confident—even a listening ear can make a huge difference.” –Ruth Brooks “You don’t have to be a clinician to support someone well—you just need compassion and an attuned ear.” –Laura Howe “To hear mental health talked about in church without shame or embarrassment—it was healing for so many.” –Ruth Brooks Resources Church Mental Health Summit Connect with Hope Made Strong Website: HopeMadeStrong.org Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

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