Area Director - Waxahachie, TX

Young Life requires all employees to sign a Statement of Faith. Because of Young Life’s exclusive Christian purposes of evangelism and discipleship, employees and volunteers must profess a belief in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord, subscribe to the organization’s statements and policies, and commit to fulfilling ministry functions, refraining from conduct that detracts from biblical standards, and abiding by all Young Life policies.

About the Role

The Northeast Texas Young Life Region is prayerfully seeking a committed, visionary leader to serve as the Area Director for Waxahachie, Texas. Located just south of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Waxahachie is a thriving, growing community with a small-town feel. The community is centered around a single school district, featuring one 6A high school and three middle schools, with a new high school under construction.

Young Life is relaunching through the faithful investment of a dedicated area committee and volunteer leaders. Ministry is gaining momentum, with kids from the area attending summer camp in 2026. The right Area Director will build on this strong foundation and help shape the future of Young Life in Waxahachie. The ideal candidate is energized by pioneering new opportunities, passionate about reaching every kid, and committed to inviting volunteer leaders who will faithfully walk alongside adolescents. For the right candidate, a Staff Associate or other job title may be considered.

Responsibilities

Spiritual Development

• 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 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

• Partner with the 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 on how to work effectively in teams and develop a yearly ministry strategy.

Resource Development

• 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 that reflect Young Life’s capacity to impact kids and warrant investment.

Direct Ministry

• 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

• 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 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

• Participate in mission-wide staff conference every four years.
• Participate in additional training or experiences if deemed necessary (e.g., 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.
• Complete Core Training - Phase One within 36 months of hire date.

Supervision

• Supervises 1 to 3 clubs and/or ministries.
• Supervises 0 to 25 volunteers.

Working Conditions

• Includes the extremes of a camp assignment, e.g., heat/cold, dirt, long hours, and the physical demands of hiking, horseback riding, boating, etc.
• Must be able to handle these conditions.

Requirements

• 1+ year of related ministry experience.
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead teams.
• 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.
• College degree preferred.