Minister/Director of Missions and Community Ministry - First Baptist Church, Dalton GA

Job Description

Job Description

About the Church

First Baptist Church Dalton (FBCD) is a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship congregation located in downtown Dalton, Georgia, roughly 30 miles south of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Founded in 1847, the church has a historic presence and is affectionately known in the community as the "M & M Church" for its music and missions. FBCD has a total membership of 563 and an average weekly attendance of 250 people in its traditional Sunday morning worship service. Operating with an annual budget of $2 million, the church is characterized by a welcoming, traditional atmosphere and a highly collaborative, supportive staff culture. FBCD identifies as a theological "purple church" or "big tent," where individuals are encouraged to discern scripture deeply while maintaining a unified, loving community.

About the Ministry

The missions ministry at First Baptist Church Dalton is a highly visible, well-established cornerstone of the congregation's identity. Supported by a substantial annual budget of $400,500 drawn from the budget and the First Foundation, the ministry engages approximately 200 unique volunteers annually and touches over 1,000 lives in the community. Local initiatives are robust and varied, including monthly homeless meals through Greater Works, building wheelchair ramps, distributing weekend food sacks to children at Westwood Elementary, and running the hands-on Beechland Ministry at the housing authority. The ministry also coordinates global mission trips and manages extensive denominational partnerships. A passionate, 10-member working Missions Committee meets monthly to manage the budget and drive these projects alongside the staff. Crucially, the ministry operates under a healthy, transformational philosophy that avoids one-way handouts in favor of community-driven development.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a mature Christian leader with a visible faith, a clear call to missional leadership, and a community organizer mindset who can network across diverse socioeconomic and cultural lines. They must thrive in a theological "purple church" environment, focusing on empowering lay volunteers to perform mission rather than carrying the extensive administrative load alone. 

Key Responsibilities

• Foster a balanced mission program across local, state, national, and international activities while serving as the primary point of contact for supported global workers.

• Lead local strategic initiatives addressing homelessness and hunger within the Dalton community while actively building relationships to extend the church's witness.

• Direct the church’s benevolence ministry and supervise innovative direct mission engagements.

• Develop and maintain an all-age mission education program to equip and cultivate lay mission skills.

• Manage approximately $400,000 in annualized missions funding across ministries with complete fiscal transparency and integrity.

• Provide bounded pastoral care, counseling, and worship/visitation support to adults and families involved in the missions ecosystem.

Qualifications

• A visible, mature Christian faith with a clear, verifiable call to missional leadership, community engagement, and justice ministry.

• Strong alignment with a "big-tent" CBF-affiliated church profile, with a strict commitment to maintaining an apolitical, non-partisan public presence.

• High proficiency in large-scale event coordination, long-range planning methodologies, and standard project management tracking tools like Gantt charts.

• Proven experience as a community organizer capable of networking across diverse civic, cultural, and socioeconomic lines.

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Missions, Theology, Social Work, Christian Education) is required, with a Master of Divinity highly preferred. 

About the Community

Known worldwide as the "Carpet Capital of the World," Dalton, Georgia, is a thriving city nestled in the picturesque foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, offering a unique blend of historical heritage and modern local charm. Located just 30 miles south of Chattanooga and within driving distance of Atlanta, residents enjoy easy access to major metropolitan amenities while living in a tight-knit community. The area boasts excellent outdoor recreation, such as hiking at Haig Mill Lake Park and extensive sports complexes like Edwards Park, alongside a revitalized downtown filled with unique boutiques and popular local restaurants. With its rich history, a low cost of living, and a steady economy driven by global manufacturing, Dalton offers an exceptionally vibrant and well-balanced environment to call home.