GuideStone presence at SBC 2025 underscores commitment to helping ministers Start, Stay and Finish Well

DALLAS

GuideStone^® Financial Resources President Hance Dilbeck highlighted a year of growth, service, and Gospel-centered stewardship during the ministry’s 108th report to Southern Baptist Convention messengers meeting on June 10.

“Our mission is to enhance the financial security and resilience of those who serve the Lord,” Dilbeck said. “We are here to help every servant of Christ finish well.”

With its headquarters just 12 miles from the convention center, the Southern Baptist ministry deployed its largest team of financial professionals ever to serve messengers on-site. Attendees were encouraged to visit the GuideStone booth for personalized financial consultations, wellness checkups, and daily giveaways — including Texas-themed items and books by Dilbeck and President Emeritus O. S. Hawkins. All author royalties for both books — A Psalm for Unseen Servants by Dilbeck and The Spirit Code by Hawkins — benefit Mission Dignity.

In 2024, GuideStone served more than 260,000 members and received over $1 billion in new retirement contributions, Dilbeck noted. Through Protection Section benefits available exclusively to eligible Southern Baptist pastors, GuideStone distributed $1.2 million in disability and $2.4 million in death benefits. Protection Section benefits are made available through a unique arrangement between GuideStone and Baptist state conventions. An additional $16 million was paid out in 2024 in life coverage claims. More than 1 million medical claims were processed last year — 10% for children under 12.

GuideStone’s financial advisors engaged nearly 1,900 households, while the customer service team fielded 177,000 calls and 47,000 emails, achieving a 98% satisfaction rate.

Dilbeck said all this is a focus of GuideStone, which wants to see all ministers Start Well, Stay Well, and ultimately Finish Well.

Mission Dignity, the heartbeat of GuideStone, provided $10.3 million in monthly honorariums and relief grants to 2,819 retired ministers and widows in 2024. Dilbeck reminded messengers that Mission:Dignity Sunday materials could be ordered at the GuideStone booth or online at MDSunday.org. Mission:Dignity Sunday is recognized on the SBC calendar for the fourth Sunday in June, this year June 22, but materials for Mission:Dignity Sunday are undated, so churches can provide an emphasis at another time of the year if they prefer.

“This ministry allows these old soldiers of the Cross to live with dignity, free from anxiety, knowing that their Southern Baptist family has not forgotten their service,” Dilbeck said.

He concluded the report with a video highlighting Mission Dignity and a call to continue supporting those who have faithfully served.

“We believe that by serving the messenger of the Gospel, we play our part in advancing the message of the Gospel,” he said.