Southside City Life Director

The purpose of this position is to further the City Life ministry of Kalamazoo Youth for Christ and City Church specific to the Southside neighborhoods. This will be done through the YFC National City Life model which employs the three specific strategies of a tight neighborhood focus, raising indigenous leaders and doing holistic, relational ministry. The City Life Site Director will have annual goals in accordance with the mission, vision and purpose of YFC and City Church. They will have the expectation of achieving those goals and will be given the supervisory support needed towards that end. 

City Life Site Director Responsibilities: This ministry will serve the overall objective of the Youth for Christ and City Church Mission Statement and function according to YFC’s Five Essentials of ministry:

Widespread Prayer - We deliberately engage Christians to intercede on behalf of the ministry site. This value needs to strategically permeate all values, areas, and actions of your daily ministry. 

oEngage a site-focused prayer team of at least 3 (more encouraged) who will pray specifically for the staff person, the ministry site, volunteers and students.

oParticipate regularly in Kalamazoo YFC staff prayer meetings (once serving full time).

oPray for the ministry site, leaders and students.

Loving Relationships - We consistently pursue lost kids & engage them in life-long relationships with Jesus. YFC City Life model relies on six Relational Ministry Actions to move relationships forward:

oContacting – going into the world of young people to initiate relationships. This involves being around the neighborhood often throughout the week and being involved in neighborhood activities.

oBuilding Times – Time spent in a shared activity with a student or students in order to build relationships and model Christ-like behavior. This includes mission trips, YFC Camp and special events

oAppointments – Meeting young people one-on-one to provide individual attention or focus on a specific need.

oSmall Groups – Structured, interactive meetings with 2-12 young people (this does not require you to lead every group, but to also raise up leaders who will).

oStudent Leadership (CORE) – Develop and invest in Christian students who are committed to personal growth and influencing those around them. (This won’t happen until at least the second year as this ministry grows.)

oClub – Host a weekly, large group meeting that is safe, engaging and welcoming to non-Christian students where the Gospel can be communicated.

Faithful Bible Teaching - We accurately handle Biblical truth, regularly coaching kids to apply it in their lives. 

oWhen given the opportunity to share Biblical teaching, personally handle God’s Word appropriately and accurately. 

oWhen giving this opportunity to volunteer ministry leaders or students, guide them in doing the same.

Collaborative Community Strategy - We intentionally work together with local churches, agencies and other partners to provide sustainable youth and family ministry. This includes working closely with pastors, parents, the school administration and businesses to build relationships.

oMaintain partnerships with churches in the surrounding area. 

oCreate and sustain an active Community Support Team (an advisory team that supports and advocates for the City Life ministry).

oWe encourage involvement in ministry networks (ex. Community Youth Link & Jesus Loves Kalamazoo). 

oBuild relationships with business owners in Kalamazoo and invite them to support the ministry.

Adults Who Empower - We strategically develop leaders to reach young people from every people group. Be responsible to build and lead teams who are committed to carrying out the 5 Essentials.

oRecruit adults who can serve in the ministry where they are gifted.

oEquip and train adults to serve in the ministry effectively. 

oRetain volunteers through the support and encouragement that is needed.

YFC Team Member Responsibilities:  

The City Life Site Director, like all paid staff members, has various responsibilities to the overall work of Kalamazoo Youth for Christ. This includes, but is not limited to:

oAttend staff meetings and staff prayer meetings regularly (both for YFC & City Church)

oHelp lead and attend YFC Camp (winter and summer). 

oAttend regional and national YFC trainings and conferences as determined by his/her supervisor.

oAssist with ministry and/or project assignments as determined by her supervisor.

oMeet regularly with supervisor for evaluation and encouragement.

oComplete regular ministry reports in Impact reporting system.

oSet and meet support raising goals as listed in Goal Setting document.

oComplete YFC USA credentialing process within two years of starting to serve full time.

City Church Responsibilities & Expectations:  

Being that this is a joint position, there are various responsibilities that this individual would have regarding City Church These include, but are not limited to:

oLead and coordinate activities such as worship services, mission trips, retreats, and small groups for students in grades six through twelve that attend City Church. This may cross over with YFC-related trips, events, and attending students.

oLead and recruit adult volunteers for worship services, mission trips, retreats, etc. 

oWork in partnership with families to ensure, when possible, alignment of discipleship between the home and church. 

oOversee and manage the youth ministry budget. 

oTrain and equip volunteers for various ministry endeavors.

oCoordinate with youth ministry leads at the main campus (Centerpoint Church) regarding youth ministry functions and collaborations. 

Spiritual Responsibilities: 

Because the overriding religious purpose and mission of Youth for Christ USA is to communicate and introduce the Gospel of Jesus Christ to young people and their families, and in that regard to make, educate and encourage life-long disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is very important that you as an employee in the movement of Youth for Christ be recognized as an associate minister of the Gospel.

As an employee of Youth for Christ and an associate minister of the Gospel, YFC expects all employees to:

oSeek God’s guidance and wisdom, through prayer and meditation, for the organization as a whole as well as for specific ministry initiatives.

oParticipate and lead regular times of prayer, devotion and worship.

oTeach and preach from the Bible at YFC staff meetings, conferences, camps and events as occasional opportunities are presented.

Personal Growth:

Personal growth & spiritual health are paramount to effective long term ministry. 

oIt is expected that they are in a spiritual accountability relationship with at least one person of their choice.  

oIt is expected that they make personal prayer time and time in God’s Word a priority on a regular basis.  

oIt is expected that they worship, attend, and are committed to City Church.

General Information:

Reports To: YFC Ministry Director & Pastor of City Church  

Direct Reports: Volunteer Ministry Leaders and (eventually) Student Leaders

FT/PT Status:Full Time