DALLAS
GuideStone trustees met for their Winter 2026 meeting March 2–4, emphasizing efforts to support Southern Baptist pastors and churches with practical assistance, from church insurance to early-career financial guidance for ministers.
GuideStone President Hance Dilbeck framed the meeting around the organization’s 2026 theme, “For the Sake of His People,” drawn from 2 Samuel 5:12, and said GuideStone exists to strengthen those who serve the Gospel. “The Lord has been good to us,” Dilbeck told trustees, adding that GuideStone’s focus is not organizational acclaim but service to pastors, churches and ministry partners.
The theme calls GuideStone to be faithful, firm, and fruitful — relying on the Lord, providing rock-solid partnership, and pursuing growth that increases the positive impact on members — because “His people are our purpose.”
Church insurance: expanding options and reach
Trustees received an extended update on GuideStone’s Property & Casualty (P&C) effort, which aims to give churches broader insurance options paired with consultative guidance tailored to ministry needs. GuideStone Agency Services® is working with multiple carriers and managing general agents (MGAs) to widen available coverage and is actively serving and quoting churches in Texas and Alabama, with expansion underway to Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky. Leaders said the long-term plan is to scale to additional states as the program matures.
The agency has realigned people, processes and technology and began quoting new options on February 1, part of a multi-year push to expand how GuideStone helps churches protect people and property in ways consistent with their ministry assignment. The approach is to match coverage to each church’s risk profile while building a healthy, scalable foundation to serve more states over time.
Pilot to help ministers start well
Trustees also heard a brief update on the Minister’s Financial Foundations Program, a three-year pilot launched January 1 with state convention ministry partners in Tennessee and Kentucky. The pilot provides early-career pastors with a structured path —assessment, skill-building and follow-through — combined with consultations, education and select benefits. More than 100 pastors are participating in the initial cohort. Results from the pilot will guide future iterations and expansion to additional states.
“It’s hard to finish well if you don’t start well,” Dilbeck told trustees. “So many times, young ministers start too late, or they get stuck due to life’s circumstances. We want to learn how we can deploy resources — both people and capital — to help those we serve start well so that they can have better outcomes at the end.”
The program was created to foster healthy financial habits today for a resilient tomorrow.
Employee of the year honored
Adam Kegg, a registered nurse and utilization management and review manager for GuideStone, was honored by trustees; he received the John R. Jones Award for Enterprise Excellence for his work. The award, named for GuideStone’s former chief operating officer, who retired after 35 years with the enterprise, 25 as COO, in 2023, honors an employee who demonstrates a commitment to ministry guided by best business practices, a common Jones admonishment. Kegg, who helps man GuideStone’s wellness booth each year at the SBC Annual Meeting, helped a pastor who was exhibiting signs of Atrial Fibrillation reach out to his doctor, and ultimately directed him to an ER in Dallas where he was diagnosed and received treatment.
“Adam demonstrates our GuideStone values of integrity, heart, and skill in every interaction with his team, our members and ministry partners,” Dilbeck said.
Mission:Dignity: supporting more than 2,500 retirement-aged ministers and widows
Trustees also highlighted the ongoing impact of Mission:Dignity, one of GuideStone’s longest-running and most visible ministries. Mission:Dignity assists more than 2,500 individuals every year—retired Southern Baptist ministers, workers and widows whose income is insufficient to meet daily needs. The ministry provides help with essentials such as housing, food and vital medications, allowing these faithful servants to live with dignity and independence in their later years.
Mission:Dignity places a special emphasis on widows, who make up a significant portion of those served each year. Many recipients spent decades in small or rural churches with limited income, and through Mission:Dignity’s support, they are able to remain in their homes, stay active in their churches and continue serving in their communities.
Trustees also celebrated continued support for the Hawkins Fund, which strengthens emergency grant assistance for the neediest Mission:Dignity recipients. Named for GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins and his wife, Susie Hawkins, the fund provides emergency grants for needs such as eyeglasses, a new roof, a refrigerator, or similar items. Dilbeck explained that many of these recipients live with no margin, so the emergency grants allow Mission:Dignity to step in and assist them. The fund has surpassed its original goal, enabling the ministry to respond quickly when unexpected needs arise.
For more information on Mission:Dignity, to apply for assistance or to refer someone in need, visit MissionDignity.org.
Trustees conclude service
Seven trustees were recognized for completing their terms:
New trustees will be elected by messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Orlando in June.
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Media Contact
Roy Hayhurst, Director of Executive Communications
GuideStone
Roy.Hayhurst@GuideStone.org | (214) 720-2141
News
• Mar 4, 2026