180: Mobilizing Your Care Team with Spiritual First Aid With Jamie Aten of Spiritual First Aid
In this insightful episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe reconnects with Dr. Jamie Aten, co-founder of Spiritual First Aid, to explore how churches can become powerful sources of hope and healing through lay-led care. Jamie unpacks the research-backed “BLESS CPR” model, shares stories from disaster relief to church-based recovery, and outlines how Spiritual First Aid is equipping everyday people with tools to meet spiritual and emotional needs. Whether you're a ministry leader or someone with a heart for others, this episode will challenge and inspire you to see your role in care ministry in a whole new light.
Quotes
"Most people are way more equipped to care than they realize." – Jamie Aten
"We've overclinicalized care—sometimes the most powerful thing is just showing up." – Laura Howe
"The church is full of peer supporters—we're just not calling them that." – Laura Howe
"If you can press play and lead a small group, you can run a Spiritual First Aid workshop." – Jamie Aten
"Presence says more than words ever could." – Jamie Aten
Resources
Spiritual First Aid
Connect with Hope Made Strong
Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
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37:15
179:What Churches Get Right (and Wrong) About Mental Health Outreach with Seth Perry
In this powerful episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down with Pastor Seth Perry to kick off Mental Health Awareness Month with a deeply personal and hopeful conversation. Seth shares his journey through bipolar disorder, addiction, and recovery, ultimately leading him back to faith and into pastoral ministry. Together, they discuss the intersection of mental health and ministry, how the church can create safe spaces for those struggling, and the upcoming launch of Seth’s innovative app designed to support mental wellness in faith communities. This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about integrating authentic mental health support within the Church.
Quotes
"I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 17... I left the church for 12 years." – Pastor Seth Perry
"There is incredible hope in the church being a safe space for mental health conversations." – Laura Howe
"My calling into ministry was born from my recovery—it was like being rebuilt from the inside out." – Pastor Seth Perry
"Mental Health Sunday is not just a day—it’s an invitation for churches to be places of healing and hope." – Laura Howe
Resources
ourstigma.com
Mental Health Sunday toolkit
Connect with Hope Made Strong
Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
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52:37
178: Coaching with Care: Bringing Clarity to Care Ministry in Transition
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down with Hilary Spears, Director of Care at The Journey West County in St. Louis. Hilary shares the unique journey of her church—transitioning from a multi-site model to an independent congregation—and how that shift has impacted care ministry. With deep roots in counseling and a growing lay care team, Hilary brings wisdom and vulnerability as she navigates big-picture strategy while handling real-time needs. They discuss everything from normalizing mental health in church, developing sustainable care systems, building a thriving Deacon team, and the delicate balance of working in ministry while also working on it. If you’re building or refining your church’s care ministry, this episode is full of relatable challenges, practical tips, and thoughtful encouragement.
Quotes
Hilary Spears: “It kind of feels like we’re building the airplane while it’s in the air.”
Laura Howe: “Care ministry grows at the speed of relationship.”
Hilary Spears: “We’ve done a great job of normalizing counseling. The stigma around mental health really doesn’t exist in our church anymore.”
Hilary Spears: “I can’t have everything perfectly set and then provide care—I have to do both at the same time.”
Laura Howe: “Not every church needs to do it all. Care ministry should reflect the unique people, vision, and resources of your church.”
Resources
Sample Care Protocol
Connect with Hope Made Strong
Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
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51:12
177: More Than a Sermon: How to Host a Mental Health Sunday That Breaks the Stigma
“Hosting a Mental Health Sunday isn’t about being experts—it’s about being open.” In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura and Rebecca dive into a topic that’s close to their hearts—mental health in the church. This time, the focus is all about hosting a meaningful Mental Health Sunday. From common hesitations to creative, hope-filled ideas, the episode offers a fresh perspective on how churches can approach mental health with compassion and confidence. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your approach, this one’s full of practical encouragement.
Quotes
Laura Howe: “Mental health is interwoven in all that we talk about, even if we haven’t named it directly.”
Rebecca Bailey: “People are looking for solutions to get rid of mental health like it’s a problem to be solved, but it’s really about coming alongside people.”
Rebecca Bailey: “Mental health conversations don’t always have to be heavy—they can be holy.”
Laura Howe: “Hosting a Mental Health Sunday isn’t about being experts—it’s about being open.”
Resources
Mental Health Sunday
Connect with Hope Made Strong
Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
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41:31
176: How Churches Can Respond to Loneliness and Create Space for Forgiveness with Rebecca Taguma
In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe welcomes Rebecca Taguma from the Trauma Healing Institute to discuss how churches can effectively respond to the rising needs of trauma care in their communities. As trauma, loneliness, and suffering grow more prevalent, the Church holds a unique and powerful role in offering healing. Rebecca shares the mission of the Trauma Healing Institute and how biblically based small groups are equipping local churches to walk alongside those in pain. Through honest conversation, they highlight the importance of creating safe spaces, embracing a trauma-informed lens, and empowering everyday people to be part of God’s redemptive work.
Quotes
“We equip the church with tools to help people who are suffering.” — Rebecca Taguma
“There’s something beautiful about people discovering that their story matters.” — Rebecca Taguma
“The church is one of the few places where people can find real community and hope.” — Laura Howe
“We’re seeing trauma on a scale that we’ve never seen before… the Church needs to be ready.” — Rebecca Taguma
“When you create safety, people feel seen, and healing begins.” — Laura Howe
Resources
Register for the live workshop on Forgiveness
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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