193: Stop Scrambling, Start Caring: Your 12-Month Ministry Plan
In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura and Rebecca walk you through how to create an annual care ministry plan that integrates compassion and support across every layer of your church community.
From identifying seasonal needs to aligning care initiatives with your church calendar and team capacity, this episode gives practical steps for intentional, strategic planning.
Whether you're just getting started or looking to bring more structure to your current efforts, this episode will help you move from reactive support to proactive, sustainable care.
Resources
Church Mental Health Summit
Annual Care Ministry Guide
Connect with Hope Made Strong
Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
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192: Leading with Presence: Alison Cook on Healing, Boundaries, and the Church
In this powerful episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down with psychologist and author Dr. Alison Cook to explore the role of inner healing in ministry leadership. They discuss how unaddressed pain can hinder our ability to lead well, the difference between spiritual bypassing and true transformation, and how inner healing enhances rather than diminishes spiritual maturity. With practical insights and a trauma-informed lens, this conversation invites ministry leaders to embrace both soul care and Christ-centered growth as vital components of sustainable caregiving.
Quotes
"You can't lead others where you haven't gone yourself." — Dr. Alison Cook
"Inner healing isn’t about navel-gazing; it’s about removing the barriers that keep you from loving others well." — Dr. Alison Cook
"When spiritual growth bypasses emotional health, we risk hurting the very people we’re trying to help." — Dr. Alison Cook
"Care ministry leaders often operate from a place of depletion—healing is not a luxury, it’s a necessity." — Laura Howe
"The Holy Spirit does some of his best work when we slow down enough to listen to what's going on inside." — Dr. Alison Cook
Resources
Alison Cook website
The Best of You podcast
Boundaries for Your Soul
The Best of You
I Shouldn’t Feel This Way
The Attuned Listener course
Connect with Hope Made Strong
Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
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191: 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
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190: 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
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189: 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
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 support leader’s well-being, strengthen volunteer teams and equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to care for your community.
With over 15 years of experience as a community mental health clinician, Laura, founder of Hope Made Strong specializes in Community Development Strategies.
You will be encouraged as you listen to expert guests get real with how they overcame challenges and developed best-practice methods of reaching and caring for your church and community.
If you want to develop a culture of care in your church and support your community without burning out your leaders? This is the podcast for you.
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