Young Life requires all​ employees to sign a Statement of Faith. We recommend you read this statement before applying​ for any position.

Job Specific Working Conditions:

The Greater Houston Region is seeking an area director for the Stratford-Westside area. This Young Life area is made up of ministry at Stratford High School, Westside High School, and a growing WyldLife ministry. There are opportunities to develop more middle school ministry, private schools, and Capernaum and YoungLives. This area has a long and healthy tradition of effective Young Life ministry and strong community support. There is a healthy staff, a great team of volunteer leaders, and a large and active committee waiting to welcome a new area director!

The right candidate will be committed to Christ and kids, be committed to reaching diverse groups of kids, and have demonstrated experience in adult work.

Take a look at our Young Life Area here! https://stratfordwestside.younglife.org/

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate spiritual leadership on a personal and area level.
• Supervise, support, and develop area staff.
• Develop and sustain diverse adult volunteer leaders.
• Partner with the regional director and committee to cast vision for reaching “every kid” within the defined area.
• Develop and execute an area vision and strategic plan.
• Work in partnership with the committee on the financial development of the area.
• Participate in dynamic direct ministry with kids (contact work).
• Participation and leadership in annual staff events and training.
• Committee recruitment, training, and leading.

Qualifications:

• Spiritual maturity and a growing faith.
• Successful track record in working with adolescents and sharing the Gospel.
• Strong leadership skills and experience in developing people.
• A leader who is teachable, innovative, collaborative, and flexible.
• Strong initiative and vision.
• Experience in leading teams and working with volunteers.
• Experience in raising money and managing a budget.
• Ability to cultivate relationships with adults in the community

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage (at no cost to you).
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• 401(k) matching plan (up to four percent).
• Health club benefit.
• And more!

Mission/Authority 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: Spiritual Development — “Following Jesus” includes prayer and spiritual disciplines, fellowship, growth and health and church relationships. • 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 — “Equipping leaders, committee and staff” includes key volunteer care, recruiting, team building and training, supervision and vision casting. • 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 — “Fueling the ministry” includes events, major donor care, public relations (branding) and TDS team. • 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 — “Proclaiming and modeling” includes contact work, club, Campaigners and camp. • 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 — “Taking care of business” includes accounting, administration, communication (internal), data management and strategic plan. • 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 missionwide 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 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. 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.