In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey kick off the new year by introducing prayer as a foundational care strategy within a holistic care ministry. They unpack how prayer fits into six core care pillars and explore why prayer should be more than informal or assumed.

It deserves thoughtful structure, training, and follow-through. From understanding different types of prayer to building clear systems for prayer requests, follow-up, confidentiality, and team support, this conversation offers both theological grounding and practical guidance for churches that want prayer to be an intentional, trustworthy entry point into care.

Quotes
“Prayer is the most accessible entry point into caring for your congregation — and that’s exactly why it needs intention.” –Laura Howe
“If we don’t provide training and conversation around prayer, we assume everyone knows how to pray — and we miss a lot.” –Rebecca Bailey
“Prayer ministry is not a gossip chain, and it’s not a substitute for pastoral or professional care. It’s an intentional way to enter someone’s life in a tender moment.” –Laura Howe
“Different lived experiences shape how people pray — and that’s what helps others feel seen, heard, and understood.” –Rebecca Bailey
“When prayer requests go unanswered, it can quietly reinforce stories of shame, rejection, or not belonging.” –Laura Howe

Resources
Care Ministry Cohort

Connect with Hope Made Strong
Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

Today, Laura Howe speaks with Dr. Chris Adams, Executive Director of the Mental Health and the Church Initiative at Biola University’s Rosemead School of Psychology. They dive into the essential practices of healthy caregiving within ministry, highlighting how care leaders can show up with empathy and wisdom without carrying the full emotional weight of others. Chris shares his personal journey from pastoral ministry to clinical psychology, offering practical insights on boundaries, supervision, and cultivating emotional and spiritual resilience in leadership.

Quotes

• “I didn’t have the skills to not carry people’s pain.” – Chris Adams
• “I believe in equipping people to be the church—what it looks like to be the hands and feet of Jesus.” – Chris Adams
• “Our own woundedness can drive our ministry if we’re not aware.” – Chris Adams
• “God is not glorified by burned-out leaders.” – Laura Howe
• “If you don’t have a biblical understanding of boundaries, the need will drive your ministry.” – Chris Adams

Resources

• Mercy Multiplied
• Boundaries by Cloud & Townsend
• Care Ministry Cohort

Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

In the final week of the Advent series, Laura and Rebecca explore the theme of love…not just the love we offer others, but the radical invitation to receive love ourselves. They reflect on the vulnerability of love, the five needs for Christian connection, and how community becomes the soil where love is planted and grown. This episode brings a practical and deeply spiritual close to the Advent journey, reminding leaders that God's love flows to us before it flows through us.

Quotes

• "We love because God first loved us—and that truth changes how we show up for others." — Rebecca Bailey
• "Love isn’t about doing more. It’s about being known and embraced—even in our mess." — Laura Howe
• "The five needs for Christian connection are prayer, authenticity, adventure, laughter, and service. These bond us in love." — Rebecca Bailey
• "Leaders often focus on being loving—but accepting love is just as sacred." — Laura Howe
• "A cord of three strands isn’t quickly broken—and community gives strength in tension." — Rebecca Bailey
  
  

Resources

• Advent Guide
• Care Ministry Cohort
  
  

Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

In this third week of the Advent series, Laura and Rebecca dive into the theme of joy, not as fleeting happiness, but as a deep, sustaining posture of the heart. They reflect on how joy can coexist with sorrow, stress, and fatigue, and how it’s often found not in perfection, but in presence. Through personal stories, theological insights, and the Advent Guide, they invite leaders to explore what true joy looks like, especially during a busy, overwhelming season. This episode is a gentle yet powerful reminder: joy is available even in the in-between.

Quotes

• "Joy is not toxic positivity. It doesn’t ignore the pain—it stands with it and still proclaims hope." — Laura Howe
• "Joy is a posture of your heart, not the result of your circumstances." — Rebecca Bailey
• "If we don’t take time to reflect, we lose sight of God’s faithfulness, like spiritual object permanence." — Rebecca Bailey
• "Even in burnout and fatigue, joy can be recalled—it becomes a marker of God’s sustaining presence." — Laura Howe
• "Sharing our joy with others is worship. It builds connection and reminds us that God is good, even here." — Rebecca Bailey

Resources

• Advent Guide
• Care Ministry Cohort

Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

In week two of our Advent series, Laura and Rebecca reflect on the theme of peace, not as the absence of noise or activity, but as the deep assurance that God is near in the midst of chaos. Using the free Advent Reflection Guide, they share practical ways for care leaders to slow down, center themselves, and reconnect with God, even in the busiest season. Through breath prayers, hymns, and daily prompts, this episode is a gentle reminder that leaders are invited to experience peace, not just extend it to others.

Quotes

• "Peace is the confidence that God is near, even when everything feels chaotic." — Rebecca Bailey
• "As leaders, we have access to peace too. We don’t have to neglect our own peace in service to others." — Laura Howe
• "In the space between noise and silence, we find the chance to truly listen and connect." — Rebecca Bailey
• "The goal isn’t to give you more to do—it’s to tend to your weariness and offer a rhythm of restoration." — Laura Howe
• "Christlikeness is an achievable goal, even in the middle of the mess."

— Rebecca Bailey

Resources

• Advent Guide
• Care Ministry Cohort

Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

In this special Advent episode, Laura and Rebecca introduce a new free resource designed to help ministry leaders slow down, reflect, and find restoration during the hectic holiday season. This Advent series centers on nurturing leaders through the four themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. With daily breath prayers, scripture readings, hymn reflections, and photo prompts, this guide offers a meaningful way to tend to your own soul. Whether done alone or with your team, this is an invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the faithfulness of God.

Quotes

• "God’s refreshment is for leaders too. We are invited to the table, not just setting it for others." — Rebecca Bailey
• "Hope isn’t wishful thinking. It’s trust that God is already at work—even when we can’t see it." — Rebecca Bailey
• "It’s hard to pull myself out of the frenzy, but restoration is possible and available if I pause." — Laura Howe
• "This Advent guide is not passive. It's an invitation to actively invite the Holy Spirit to work within us." — Rebecca Bailey
• "When we’re frantic, we lose sight of the hope of Christ. But breath can bring us back to God's nearness." — Laura Howe

Resources

• Advent Guide
• Care Ministry Cohort
• US Amazon Store
• CAN Amazon Store

Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

Today, Laura sits down with therapist and ministry leader Rebecca to talk about what it looks like to integrate professional care and pastoral support in the church. They discuss the importance of psychological safety, how to cultivate healing environments in ministry, and why a strengths-based approach matters when building a culture of care. Their conversation highlights the blend of clinical insight and spiritual wisdom needed to lead well in caregiving roles.

Quotes

• "Caregiving is not about having all the answers, it's about showing up consistently with compassion." — Laura Howe
• "We heal in community. Isolation may protect us short-term, but connection restores us." — Rebecca Bailey
• "When we assume we must fix people, we miss the opportunity to empower them." — Laura Howe
• "A trauma-informed church is not a therapy session; it’s a place where people feel safe to bring their whole selves." — Rebecca Bailey
• "We can't pour from an empty cup. Caring for ourselves is an act of stewardship." — Laura Howe

Resources

• Care Ministry Cohort

Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

Today, Laura Howe pulls back the curtain on the Care Ministry Cohort, a five-month mastermind designed to equip ministry leaders with the tools and community they need to build sustainable care ministries. Laura shares her heart for church leaders who are overwhelmed by the needs of their congregation and unsure of where to begin. Listeners get a sneak peek into the four core modules of the cohort and receive practical tips to start building a care framework today, whether or not they join. If you’re passionate about supporting your church without burning out, this episode is packed with wisdom, encouragement, and real next steps.

Quotes

• "You know your church wants to care better. Every church does. But the how is often the hurdle." – Laura Howe
• "We don't need more programs. We need sustainable systems of care that don't burn out our leaders.” – Laura Howe
• "If you're tired, stretched thin, and unsure where to start, you're not alone—and you're not without support." – Laura Howe
• "Building a care ministry isn't about doing more—it's about doing the right things, with the right people, at the right pace." – Laura Howe

Resources

• Care Ministry Cohort
• Contact Hope Made Strong

Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube