GuideStone Starts State Church Engagement Manager Pilot Program in Alabama and Tennessee

GuideStone Financial Resources has begun a new State Church Engagement Manager pilot program designed to strengthen its ministry partnership with Southern Baptist churches, pastors and ministry leaders through dedicated, in-state engagement.

As part of the pilot initiative, GuideStone will place State Church Engagement Managers in Alabama and Tennessee to serve as a consistent, local presence alongside state convention leaders, associational mission strategists and churches throughout each state.

The new positions reflect GuideStone's ongoing commitment to serving those who serve the Lord by helping pastors, church staff and congregations access resources that enhance financial security and resilience while strengthening the ministries they lead.

State Church Engagement Managers will work directly with churches, associations and state convention leaders to provide education, training and support related to retirement planning, ministerial compensation, health and protection benefits, financial wellness and Mission:Dignity, while helping churches connect with the full range of GuideStone resources.

"This initiative is one way we're seeking to serve pastors and churches even more effectively," said Hance Dilbeck, president and CEO of GuideStone. "For more than a century, GuideStone has come alongside Southern Baptist ministers and ministries during some of life's most important moments and challenges. These new roles allow us to be more present, more relational and more responsive as we help strengthen the financial security and resilience of those who have dedicated their lives to Kingdom service."

The pilot program is intended to deepen relationships at the state and local levels while helping GuideStone better understand and respond to the needs of pastors and churches.

Lessons learned through the initiative will help inform future opportunities to further strengthen GuideStone's presence and service to Southern Baptists.

"Strong churches are led by healthy pastors and ministry leaders," Dilbeck said. "By investing in these relationships, we hope to better serve those who are faithfully serving their communities and advancing the Gospel every day."

GuideStone plans to introduce its State Church Engagement Managers during the state convention annual meetings in Alabama and Tennessee.