Ministry Director, Children and Youth Programs, Gainesville in Gainesville, Georgia at Mission 1:27

Why This Role Matters

Mission 1:27's ministry is more than after-school programming - it is an opportunity to help children grow, teens become leaders, families connect, and communities thrive. The Ministry Director leads with a servant's heart and an entrepreneurial spirit, building a strong, Christ-centered ministry across two Walton communities (Walton Summit and Walton Harbor) through our Adventure Centers and Adventure Teens programs.

Through trusted relationships and intentional leadership, this role develops and empowers team members, invests in children and families, and inspires churches, volunteers, and community partners to join the mission - creating opportunities for discipleship, leadership development, and lasting transformation through the Gospel.

What You’ll Do

Lead & Grow the Gainesville Ministry

• Provide vision, direction, and accountability for Mission 1:27 youth ministry at Walton Summit and Walton Harbor.
• Oversee safe, joyful, Christ-centered Adventure Center programming five days a week, ensuring consistent quality, strong relationships, and meaningful student growth.
• Launch and develop Adventure Teens Middle School programming that disciples students, builds leadership, and prepares them for the next stage of life.
• Connect the elementary, middle school, and future 3:17 Intern pathways so students experience intentional growth over time.
• Use obstacles as opportunities to innovate, solve problems, and strengthen ministry impact.

Build, Lead & Develop Your Team

• Recruit, supervise, empower and develop Adventure Center coaches and middle school ministry staff.
• Establish clear expectations, healthy accountability, and a team culture marked by prayer, joy, collaboration, and excellence.
• Equip others to own daily program responsibilities while remaining engaged and visible at both communities.

Invest in Children, Teens & Families

• Build trusted relationships with children, teens, parents, and caregivers; celebrate strengths and walk alongside families through challenges.
• Champion discipleship, academics, character, leadership, citizenship, service, and life and career readiness.
• Maintain child safety as a non-negotiable, with healthy boundaries and consistent implementation of Mission 1:27 policies.

Engage & Mobilize the Community

• Cultivate strong relationships with Walton team members, local churches, schools, and community organizations.
• Build a network of partners who expand opportunities for children, teens, and families.
• Represent Mission 1:27 with integrity, hospitality, initiative, and a servant’s heart.

Steward & Lead with Excellence

• Oversee staffing, schedules, program resources, budgets, safety, documentation, attendance, and reporting across communities.
• Partner with Mission 1:27 children and teen senior leaders to implement program standards, training, and curriculum.
• Use participation, relationships, and growth outcomes to evaluate effectiveness and strengthen the ministry.

What a Win Looks Like

Ultimately, the Director does more than sustain programs - they develop people, mobilize the community, and help children and teens become disciples and leaders equipped for every good work.

• Children are known, loved, safe, and growing spiritually, academically, personally, and relationally in a strong Adventure Center.
• Middle school students are engaged in a thriving Adventure Teens ministry, developing faith, character, confidence, leadership, and readiness for what comes next.
• Families feel connected, valued, and supported as partners in their children’s growth.
• Staff and volunteers are equipped, encouraged, accountable, and growing as leaders themselves.
• Churches, schools, Walton team members, and community partners are actively engaged in the mission.
• Programs are well-run, measurable outcomes demonstrate meaningful impact, and the Gainesville ministry is positioned for sustainable growth.

The ideal candidate is a mission-minded shepherd, capable people leader, and entrepreneurial builder - someone who inspires others to join in ministry and follows through to make the vision real.

Required

• A mature Christian faith, active involvement in a local church, and agreement with Mission 1:27’s Statement of Faith and Qualifications for Leadership.
• A genuine calling to disciple children and teens, invest in families, and lead with humility, integrity, compassion, and enthusiasm.
• Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and holding teams accountable, with a servant-leader mindset that encourages and empowers others.
• Strong relational and communication skills, with the ability to build trust across diverse backgrounds and lead with sound judgment, creativity, and resilience.
• Strong organizational skills, initiative, and follow-through, with the ability to manage competing priorities across two locations while maintaining child safety and organizational standards.

Preferred

• Established connections in Hall County and relationships with local churches and community partners.
• Experience launching or expanding programs, recruiting volunteers, and developing partnerships.
• Understanding of poverty, trauma, and trauma-informed approaches to working with children and families.
• Bachelor’s degree in Ministry, Education, Human Services, Leadership, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.