The Care Ministry Podcast

What happens when the people caring for everyone else realize they need care too?

In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe is joined by Dr. Dan Allender, therapist, author, professor, and founder of the Allender Center. Together they explore the connection between story, trauma, healing, and spiritual formation, and why caring for others requires us to tend to our own hearts first.

Dan shares the deeply personal story that shaped his life’s work and discusses how unaddressed pain often continues shaping us in ways we do not recognize. Laura and Dan also unpack why healing is rarely quick or linear, the role of community in restoration, and what ministry leaders need to understand as they support others through grief, trauma, and recovery.

This conversation is especially helpful for pastors, care leaders, and helpers who spend much of their time supporting others but may be realizing there are parts of their own story that still need attention.

Quotes

"The more we grow, the more we know how far we have to grow."
Dan Allender

"My God has known my sin today and a month from now and still delights in me."
Dan Allender

"So many of us who serve others know how to offer good comfort. But then the simple question is: how are you in receiving comfort?"
Dan Allender

"Healing is not something we arrive at. It's a journey of truth-telling, grief, courage, and relationship."
Laura Howe

Resources

Learn more about the Allender Center and their story-based approach to healing and spiritual formation

The Allender Center



Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

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What does it look like to build a care team before the crisis happens?

In this coaching episode, Laura talks with Bill Loften, Care Pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in Maryland, about expanding care beyond pastors and licensed ministry leaders.

Bill is less than a year into his role, but he is already thinking strategically about how to identify, equip, and support people within the congregation who can step into care. Together, Laura and Bill explore peer support, lay care, small group leaders, volunteer training, community partnerships, and how to build care systems that are sustainable and aligned with the strengths of your church.

This conversation is especially helpful for care leaders who want to grow their ministry without carrying every need themselves.

Quotes

“We're developing a fire department to be able to handle the fires when they come.”
Bill Loften

“They might not feel called to ministry, but they feel called to do ministry.”
Bill Loften

“There's these specific people that show up when crisis happens or when a need is happening.”
Bill Loften

Resources

Care Alignment Framework
Identify the intersection between your church’s vision, strengths, and the needs of your community so you can focus your care ministry where it can have the greatest impact.
https://www.hopemadestrong.org/care-alignment

Model of Care
Explore the different layers of support available within a church, including self-care, community care, peer support, pastoral care, and professional care.
https://www.hopemadestrong.org/model-of-care



Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
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In this special summer episode, Laura and Rebecca are taking a short break while continuing to bring listeners new and meaningful content each week. This episode features one of the top sessions from a past Church Mental Health Summit with Dr. Stephen Grcevich, founder and president of Key Ministry.

Dr. Grcevich shares important research on how common mental health conditions can impact church attendance for families. He helps leaders understand why families may struggle to participate in church life, especially when anxiety, ADHD, depression, autism, trauma, sensory needs, social communication differences, stigma, or past church experiences are present.

This conversation invites church leaders to look at their ministry environments with fresh eyes and consider what barriers may be making church harder for families who already feel isolated or overwhelmed.

Dr. Grcevich also introduces a practical framework for developing a mental health inclusion strategy so churches can become more welcoming, thoughtful, and supportive places for individuals and families impacted by mental illness.

Quotes

“When we think about inclusion in our churches, mental health inclusion is by far and away our greatest need.”
Dr. Stephen Grcevich

“Mental health ministry is clearly family ministry.”
Dr. Stephen Grcevich

“When one member of the family struggles, it’s likely that everybody else isn’t going to be part of church.”
Dr. Stephen Grcevich

Resources

Key Ministry

Training Videos on Mental Health Inclusion

Mental Health and the Church by Dr. Stephen Grcevich
HMS Amazon Store 🇨🇦Link
HMS Amazon Store 🇺🇸Link

Church Mental Health Summit

Summit Circle


Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

Amazon store: 🇨🇦Link 🇺🇸Link

Blended families are more common than we often realize, but they’re rarely talked about in our churches.

In this episode, Laura sits down with Inés Franklin to explore the realities of blended family life and how care leaders can better support those navigating complex family dynamics.

Together, they discuss hidden challenges, the impact of family systems on identity and faith, and practical ways the church can create space for healing and belonging.

If you’re a pastor, care leader, or walking alongside families in transition, this conversation will help you care with greater awareness, compassion, and intention.

Quotes

“Blended families aren’t broken… they’re a picture of redemption.” - Inés Franklin

“We don’t make space for blended families to share their story, and so often, they stay silent.” - Inés Franklin

“We can’t fully care for someone without understanding the family dynamics shaping their story.” - Inés Franklin

“You have to be honest about the pain so that you can experience healing.” - Inés Franklin

“God doesn’t wait for our stories to become tidy. He meets us right in the middle of the complexity.” - Laura Howe

Resources

Blended & Blessed — Inés Franklin
CAN - https://amzn.to/42xk82p
US - https://amzn.to/42flVc9

Uncharted — Inés Franklin
CAN - https://amzn.to/4wfCi6n
US - https://amzn.to/4tdWcvA

Trochia Ministries
→ Inés’ online discipleship ministry with teaching, courses, and resources

Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

What happens when a church becomes a place where people feel safe enough to be honest?

In this coaching episode, Laura talks with Jennifer VanCleve, a campus pastor at StoneBridge Christian Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Jennifer shares how care has been growing in her church through small groups, recovery ministries, grief support, mental health conversations, and a deep desire to help people feel seen, known, and loved.

Together, Laura and Jennifer explore how churches can create safe spaces for honest stories, support people walking through grief, addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges, and equip more leaders to step into care with confidence.

This conversation is especially helpful for churches asking how to build a culture of care that is relational, compassionate, and sustainable.

Quotes

“We have to remember grace abounds and love abounds.”
Jennifer VanCleve

“That’s what a church can be when people are loved unconditionally.”
Jennifer VanCleve

“Care ministry isn’t designed to be cookie-cutter to the church down the street.”
Laura Howe

“When people feel seen, known, and loved, care begins to take root.”
Laura Howe

“We have to start thinking about designing an onboarding strategy for leaders so that they feel supported and not just thrown into the mix.”
Laura Howe

Resources

StoneBridge Christian Church

Celebrate Recovery

GriefShare

MomCo

When Helping Hurts / The Chalmers Center

Slow Kingdom Coming by Kent Annan

Hope Made Strong Care Protocol

Care Ministry Coaching

Connect with Hope Made Strong

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