Hope College seeks a Program Director to lead the Thriving Congregations grant awarded to Hope College (July 2024) and the related inVocation Fellows & Congregations Program. This is a non-renewable, full-time position over the grant’s life (approximately 4.5 years, ending December 2028). The grant itself is also non-renewable. The Program Director will be a full-time employee of Hope College, working under the supervision of the Director of Hope’s Center for Ministry Studies (CMS).

inVocation Fellows & Congregations Program: An Overview

The inVocation Fellows & Congregations Program (“Fellows Program”) works to create intergenerational congregational engagement by focusing on learning and ministry with recent college graduates. The program cultivates connections between the early adulthood experiences of these young adults and the congregational practices of fellowship, worship, and discipleship around Scripture, which shape Christian life. Our two-year, cohort-based model is structured as a year of learning followed by a year of cultivating ministry. Each cohort is composed of up to thirty adults aged 21-29 who are connected to local partner congregations.

In Year One, Fellows’ faith foundations are strengthened as the cohort gathers for monthly “applied learning” seminars featuring practical theological reflection on especially relevant topics (e.g., cultural discernment, calling/vocation, congregational engagement, discipleship practices, and stewardship of time, gifts & skills, relationships, and money). Designed by the Fellows Faculty Lead, these seminars feature seasoned leaders/authors with rich subject-matter expertise and the ability to help Fellows apply their insights through intentional practices. Each Fellow is paired from the beginning of the program with a mentor chosen from within his or her congregation, and the pair meets at least monthly. The Fellow/mentor pairs are also part of Congregational Learning Groups (CLG), facilitated by their churches’ discipleship pastors, that include Fellows’ alumni from the church and other congregants interested in young adult ministry. CLGs meet five times/year.

The second year of the Fellows Program builds on the intergenerational relationships developed through the mentoring relationships and the CLGs, as the CLGs work to build a lay ministry project within their congregations. These projects will seek to further embed intergenerational relationships and discipleship in the life of the church. The projects may build upon existing young adult ministries within the congregation or may be new. Congregational ministry grants will be offered on an application basis to offset the costs of ministry cultivation.

1. Recruit, select, and orient each cohort of inVocation Fellows.

2. Cultivate strong relationships with leaders at partner churches and secure enthusiastic engagement in the inVocation Fellows Program, including helping to establish a Congregational Learning Group (CLG) at each church.

3. Grow the network of partner churches by meeting with church pastors/leaders and

casting vision effectively.

4. Facilitate administration/execution of the monthly Fellows seminars during Year 1 of each cohort.

5. In collaboration with the Director of the CMS and the Fellows’ Faculty Lead, help facilitate the design process for a mini-grant program for partner churches (supporting CLGs’ Year 2 ministry projects) and oversee its administration (e.g., applications process, funds delivery, and accounting)

6. Work with leaders at partner churches to recruit new mentors, organize training for new mentors, and support and maintain regular communication with Fellows and mentors.

7. Provide input as needed to the program evaluation team, the Director of the CMS, and the Faculty Lead regarding the qualitative and quantitative assessments of the Fellows Program

8. Support the Director of the CMS in providing timely reports to the Lilly Endowment as required by the grant agreement

1. Commitment to the historic Christian faith and strong interest in working across a variety of Christian congregations and ecumenical contexts.

2. Passion/heart for young adults and seeing them grow holistically.

3. Demonstrated passion for and deep commitment to the local church and the promise of intergenerational Christian discipleship.

4. An enthusiastic “people person” with the ability and perseverance to motivate and mobilize others; someone with energy and drive for fulfilling the mission of the inVocation Fellows & Congregations Program.

5. Strong administrative, organizational, and project management skills.

6. Master’s degree in related field preferred. Prior experience in working in a church context and/or with young adults is also desirable.

This position requires remaining in a sitting or standing position for frequent periods of time; uses office machinery such as a computers, printers, copy machines; Occasionally involves moving items over 10 pounds; frequently will move between different offices/workspaces/buildings; and requires effective communication abilities. In the case of temporary or permanent condition(s) that require(s) accommodation(s), reasonable accommodation(s) may be requested.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check. Some positions may have position specific requirements, such as education/licensure/certification verification, a physical, drug screening, credit checks and/or transportation record review.