Area Director - Greater Houston Region

Summary

Through spiritual leadership and proper management, lead in developing a team in the area to carry out Young Life's mission of introducing kids to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith.

Ministry Functions

• Develop a yearly personal growth plan that fosters a vibrant spiritual life including time for solitude, retreat, reflection, prayer and a sincere commitment to understanding God's Word.
• Seek and maintain relationships and disciplines, in the context of active participation in a church community.
• Actively participate in the spiritual life of the Young Life community.
• Lead teams and individuals in spiritual development.
• Ensure that all Young Life ministry in the area, is designed and carried out with a dependence on prayer that takes place out of the overflow of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Leadership Development

• Partner with Regional director and Committee to cast vision for reaching "every kid" within the defined area.
• Develop consistent gatherings with committee, leaders and staff to build unity and provide vision and direction.
• Create a spiritual leadership plan for volunteer leaders, staff and committee members in the area.
• Recruit and train new staff and leaders to build leadership teams that reflect the community.
• Supervise, develop and evaluate area staff, providing resources and experiences needed to implement the vision.
• Provide quality summer staff, work crew and adult guests for summer camps.
• Model excellence in contact work, club, Campaigners and camping to other leaders.
• Train leaders, team leaders and committee how to work effectively in teams and develop a yearly ministry strategy.

Resource Development

• Provide leadership to the TDS team and committee in finding partners to own the area vision and budget.
• Develop and lead the area's fundraising strategy and ensure excellence in communication to donors.
• Raise the necessary funds to carry out the ministry vision for the local area, keeping the area consistently in surplus (goal is a one-month cash reserve minimum).
• Build the Young Life brand via public relations as an excellent tool for working with youth in the area.
• Coordinate and conduct quality events which reflect Young Life's capacity to impact kids and warrant the investment of a participant's personal and corporate resources.

Direct Ministry

• Actively engage in all three levels of contact work.
• Lead or co-lead a model Young Life club; lead/supervise an effective Campaigner ministry with excellence.
• Observe and evaluate each of the schools/ministries in the local area on a yearly basis.
• Develop and implement ongoing plans to maximize Gospel proclamation through camping opportunities.
• Serve on a summer assignment at a Young Life property, other Young Life camp or in another position each summer.

Ministry Support

• Adhere to all Young Life policies and procedures and maintain professionalism concerning office hours, dress, conduct and time management.
• Manage finances with stewardship, accountability and transparency using the mission-wide applications.
• Maintain accurate information on kids, leaders and donors for area records.
• Provide clear, prompt, appropriate and professional communication to everyone involved in ministry.
• Set yearly strategic ministry plan and initiatives to reach every kid; review them on a regular basis.
• Perform other duties as assigned and congruent with gifts, experience and area needs.
• Accept both short and long-term assignments of projects.

Training

• Participation in mission-wide staff conference every four years.
• Participation in additional training or experiences if deemed necessary (e.g., more urban exposure; Taking Donors Seriously (TDS) training).
• Attend regional training as directed by the regional director.
• Pursue continuing educational opportunities including graduate degrees.
• Participate in programs designed for personal spiritual maturity or personal enrichment.
• Pursue seminars designed to enhance professional skills.

Education

• College degree preferred

Qualifications

• Must have completed Core Training —Phase One.
• Proven leadership skills.
• Proven relational skills with both kids and adults.
• A call to reach kids with the Gospel.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Working Conditions

• Will include the extremes of a camp assignment, e.g., heat/cold, dirt, long hours and the physical demands of hiking, horseback riding, boating, etc. Staff person must be able to handle these conditions.