Spiritual Counselor

Job Description

Position Summary

The Spiritual Counselor advances the mission of Center of Hope by providing Christ-centered spiritual care, compassionate guest support, community resource navigation, and volunteer leadership. This position serves individuals and families through pastoral conversations, prayer, discipleship, referrals, and relationship-building while helping oversee Community Closet operations and Saturday programming.

The Spiritual Counselor serves as an ambassador for the ministry by cultivating relationships with churches, community organizations, healthcare providers, and volunteers to connect individuals with the physical, emotional, and spiritual resources they need.

Essential Responsibilities

To that end, responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

1. Serves as a member of the Center of Hope staff.  

1. Community Closet responsibilities:
1. Sharing the gospel in a natural non-threatening way
2. Provide compassionate Christ-centered care to guests through conversation, prayer, encouragement, and Biblical guidance at Center of Hope, the Jail, Hospital, Prison, and/or other settings.
3. Assist guests in identifying spiritual, emotional, physical, and practical needs.
4. Assist guests with navigating community resources and services.
5. Collaborate with other members of the ministry team to effectively meet the spiritual, emotional, and psychosocial needs of guests
6. Advocate for guests while encouraging personal responsibility and healthy life choices.
7. Participate in staff meetings, prayer, and ministry planning.
8. Maintain accurate and confidential guest documentation.
9. Serves as a resource to assist with other duties in the Center of Hope, as needed.

Saturday programming

1. Help provide a welcoming environment for guests.
2. Recruit, train, schedule, and encourage Saturday volunteers.
3. Oversee Saturday Community Closet operations, which includes overseeing and training Saturday volunteers.
4. Ensure ministry activities are organized, safe, and guest-focused.
5. Assist with problem-solving during ministry operations.

Community Engagement responsibilities:

1. Serves as an advocate and liaison to community agencies.
1. If certified as a Community Health Worker, actively participate in the local CHW network and represent Center of Hope services.
2. Coordinate referrals to churches, healthcare providers, counseling services, housing agencies, and other community organizations.
3. Provide support in presenting the Center of Hope’s Mission at churches or public venues. 
4. Being in active communications with leaders in our community to ensure the needs of our community are being met at the Center of Hope and beyond.
5. Assist with partnership development and collaborative initiatives.

Perform other duties as assigned, such as supporting fundraising events and community outreach activities.

Job Requirements

Qualifications

Required:
- A growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a lifestyle consistent with Biblical Christian principles.
- Passion for sharing the Gospel with wisdom, compassion, and respect.
- Ability to pray with and spiritually encourage guests when opportunities arise.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to build trust with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating with a team.
- Basic computer proficiency.

The preferred candidate’s experience will include the following:
Bachelor's degree in ministry, social work, counseling, psychology, community health, or a related field OR Community Health Worker (CHW) certification.
Experience in pastoral ministry, nonprofit ministry, case management, or community outreach.
Established relationships within the local Christian community.

Core Competencies

The ideal candidate demonstrates:
- Christ-centered servant leadership
- Compassion and empathy
- Strong listening skills
- Emotional maturity
- Professional boundaries
- Teamwork
- Flexibility
- Integrity
- Initiative
- Excellent judgment
- Confidentiality

Faith Expectations

Because Center of Hope is a Christ-centered ministry, this position requires a personal commitment to the Christian faith and agreement with the mission, vision, and core values of Center of Hope.

The ideal candidate should:
- Demonstrate Christian character in daily life.
- Be willing to pray with guests.
- Comfortably share the Gospel when appropriate.
- Treat every individual with dignity, compassion, and respect, regardless of their beliefs or background.
- Support the ministry's Statement of Faith and Christian mission.