Dear Friends,
Each year, as I look through the stories gathered in this magazine, I am reminded of the privilege God has entrusted to us at GuideStone. Ministry happens in every kind of setting — churches large and small, ministries well known and ministries known only to the Lord. Faithful men and women serve day after day, often without recognition. To support them in their calling is both a responsibility and an honor.
In these pages, you will meet men and women who are serving where God has placed them. Their circumstances vary, but a common thread runs through each account: a steady trust in the Lord and a desire to remain faithful. Some stories reflect God’s provision in unexpected moments. Others show the quiet perseverance that marks long-term service. Together, they remind us that the endurance of God’s people rests not on their strength, but on his grace.
This conviction guides our work. As an organization, we remain focused on helping those who serve the Lord stand strong — financially, emotionally and spiritually. Whether through retirement plans, protection through life and health plans, investment management, or resources that support whole-person well-being, our aim is the same: to strengthen the resilience of those who give their lives to ministry so they can finish well.
We are operating in a season of rapid change. Economic pressures, cultural shifts and new ministry challenges continue to reshape the environment in which churches and ministries serve. In moments like these, our commitment must be clear and steady. We trust in the unchanging character of God and his Word. That confidence shapes the way we lead. It calls us to plan thoughtfully, steward wisely and serve faithfully. It also calls us to carry out our work with Integrity, with Heart and with Skill, the values that reflect our identity and guide every decision we make.
The mission before us is practical and personal. It is practical because wise planning and sound solutions matter to those building a life of service, now and in the years ahead. It is personal because every plan reflects a person, a family and a ministry calling that deserve our best attention. We strive daily to be dependable, clear and ready to help, so the people we serve can focus on the work God has given them.
As you read through this magazine, I hope you will be encouraged by the work God is doing through his people. I pray you will be reminded that your ministry matters — not only in the place where you serve today, but within the larger story of Gospel faithfulness across generations. You are part of a work that will outlast all of us, and it is our privilege to support you as you live out the calling that God — who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power at work within us — has given you.
Thank you for allowing us to serve you. May the Lord strengthen, sustain and equip you for the days ahead.
With gratitude,
D. Hance Dilbeck Jr.
President — Chief Executive Officer
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