The Care Ministry Podcast

In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey explore a question many churches are asking right now: we care about mental health… but what do we actually do with it?

As awareness has grown, the challenge has shifted from understanding mental health to integrating it into the life of the church. But with so many resources and approaches available, many care leaders feel overwhelmed and unsure where to begin.

Laura and Rebecca unpack this tension and offer a simpler way forward—one that moves beyond programs and focuses on integrating mental health into discipleship through relational presence. Instead of trying to fix or have all the answers, they highlight the power of listening, curiosity, and being with people in the middle of their struggles.

This episode is especially helpful for care leaders who want to support mental health in a way that is clear, sustainable, and rooted in everyday church life.

Quotes

“We’re not called to know more… we are actually called to be with people.” Rebecca Bailey

“It’s harder to sit in the uncomfortable, messy space of someone struggling than it is to have a solution.” Rebecca Bailey

“We don’t need more programs—we need a clearer way to care for people.” Laura Howe

“There’s a difference between caring for people and carrying everything for them.” Rebecca Bailey

Resources

Mental Health Sunday Resources

The Attuned Listener Course

Email for more info at [email protected]

Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe is joined again by Rebecca Taguma from the American Bible Society and the Trauma Healing Institute.

Together, they explore what many churches are quietly experiencing—everyday overwhelm, loneliness, and emotional exhaustion—and how this is shaping the way we care for and disciple people.

This conversation reframes emotional resilience as part of discipleship, not a separate ministry, and offers a hopeful, relational path forward for churches.

They also introduce Anchored in Hope, an accessible resource designed to help churches build connection, resilience, and support in everyday life.

This episode is especially helpful for leaders who feel stretched, are carrying more than they should alone, and are looking for practical ways to build a culture of care.

Quotes

“It’s really easy to be lonely in a crowd if it doesn’t feel safe.” — Rebecca Taguma

“Church leaders are struggling right now… it’s been unrelenting.” — Rebecca Taguma

“God created us to be in relationship with one another—and to heal in relationship with one another.” — Rebecca Taguma

“Care happens in relationship. Programs are just the vehicle.” — Laura Howe

Resources

Anchored in Hope – Trauma Healing Institute

Healing the Wounds of Trauma Small Group

HMS Amazon Store 🇨🇦Link
HMS Amazon Store 🇺🇸Link

Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe is joined by David Barter, pastor, ministry coach, and the lead for Hope Made Strong’s work in Australia.

David shares how his own experience with depression, anxiety, and burnout shaped his passion for helping churches care well. Together, Laura and David talk about the reality many churches face—they want to help, but often aren’t sure how.

This conversation also introduces Hope Made Strong’s next step toward global hubs, starting in Australia. Not as a new organization, but as a way to deepen connection, offer culturally relevant support, and better serve care leaders in their local context.

This episode is especially helpful for leaders who feel like they are carrying too much alone and are looking for a more shared, relational approach to care.

Quotes

“I really started to think about it—well, what am I doing that maybe not that I shouldn’t be doing, but that somebody else could do?”
David Barter

“People need to be empowered across the church to do the work of the ministry.”
David Barter

“The work of the ministry basically is to care for people and disciple each other.”
David Barter

“We’ve always had a global community at Hope Made Strong… but this is about making that feel more connected, more relational, and more rooted in local context.”
Laura Howe

Resources

A Better Way - Website

The Church Mental Health Summit

Email David - [email protected]

HMS Amazon Store 🇨🇦Link
HMS Amazon Store 🇺🇸Link

Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey explore one of the most misunderstood areas of care ministry: referrals.

Church leaders often feel tension when referring someone outside the church. It can feel like handing people off or losing influence. But healthy referrals are not a failure of care. They are a critical part of sustainable, holistic ministry.

Laura and Rebecca reframe referrals as accompaniment rather than outsourcing. They discuss how churches can build ethical referral systems, develop trusted community partnerships, and avoid codependency in ministry leadership. You will hear practical guidance on consent, autonomy, follow-up, and how to navigate value differences with humility.

Strong care ministries do not try to meet every need alone. They build thoughtful networks that expand support while remaining relationally present.

Quotes

“We don’t want codependency in the church… because we aren’t the saviors.” –Rebecca Bailey

“We’re not referring someone out. We’re referring someone in.” –Laura Howe

“Referrals don’t have to be an endpoint. They are transitional.” –Rebecca Bailey

“Healthy care ministries share the load.” –Laura Howe

Resources

Hope Made Strong Model of Care
Three Steps to Building a Sustainable Care Ministry
Care Protocol Download
Episode 187 - Types of Mental Health Professionals

HMS Amazon Store 🇨🇦Link
HMS Amazon Store 🇺🇸Link

Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

How Churches Can Serve Their Communities With Humility and Impact

5 Practices for Faithful Community Engagement with Kent Annan

Many churches care deeply about their communities but feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the needs around them. Where do you start, and how do you help without causing harm or burning out your team?

In this episode, Laura Howe talks with Kent Annan, co-founder of Haiti Partners and author of Slow Kingdom Coming, about how churches can engage their communities with humility, wisdom, and long-term impact.

Kent shares five practices that help leaders discern where they are called to focus and how to serve in ways that honor dignity and build meaningful partnerships.

If you want to serve your community well without trying to fix everything, this conversation offers practical encouragement and perspective.

Resources Mentioned

Slow Kingdom Coming CAN Link / US Link

When Helping Hurts CAN Link / US Link

Haiti Partners

Spiritual First Aid

Slow Kingdom coming Discussion guide

Quotes from the Episode

“If the primary takeaway from being with people who are suffering is that we feel better about our own lives, we are disrespecting them.” – Kent Annan

“The practices of attention, confession, respect, partnering, and truthing are both spiritual disciplines and practical ways to do justice work well.” – Kent Annan

“The slow kingdom coming means we can lament that the world isn’t as it should be, hold onto hope that transformation is possible, and commit ourselves to participate in that work.” – Kent Annan

“When you enter a community, you slow down and ask: Am I coming with honor, and am I waiting to be invited in with respect?” – Kent Annan

Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube