We request that you submit both a resume and cover letter that demonstrates your interest and qualifications for working in a ministry position and the position that you are applying for. You will not be considered without both. Please see requirements below.
About OurCalling
OurCalling is a ministry specifically focused on the unsheltered homeless community. We operate an outreach center for the homeless community near downtown Dallas. We are passionate about loving and helping the unsheltered homeless transition to better lives. We are a faith-based ministry where every job is a ministry position. Each staff member should be able to clearly share the Gospel and communicate their own testimony. While everyone on the team wears multiple hats, our primary function is getting people off the street and helping them walk with Jesus. We want everything that we do to point to Jesus. We serve 200-400 guests daily. We are a “zero-barrier” facility that is welcoming and compassionate to all who enter.
Department: Programs
Reports to: Street Outreach Manager
Direct Reports: None
FLSA status: Full-Time, Exempt
Job Summary: We primarily serve the chronically, unsheltered homeless population. Our homeless friends, or Guests, are survivors who have experienced vast amounts of trauma. We use resources, services and relationships to create opportunities for gospel centered conversations. We are careful in our interactions to demonstrate to our Guests and volunteers how to live out the truths of the gospel and let the love of Christ control our actions. This position, while ministry focused, is not like traditional church ministry, but deals with the “rawness” of life on the streets. Our Street Outreach Care Ministers actually crawl under bridges and hike out into the woods to find our homeless friends, bring them resources, share the Gospel, pray with them, show them love, and build trust in order to bring them to a place where they can and want to seek help getting off the streets.
Job Responsibilities:
Engage in relational ministry with our Guests, working to establish trust by doing what we are going to do with excellence; this is critical to our work of helping our homeless Guests find pathways off the streets
Both initiate and intentionally turn conversations to focus on Christ
Become knowledgeable of placement solutions and utilize motivational skills to help our Guests consider and make decisions to get off the streets
Serve Guests at times, through crisis intervention and/or emotional de-escalation
Use active listening, coming into conversations as a humble learner, taking the time to listen carefully to our Guests rather than simply suggesting solutions to problems
Advise and advocate for homeless Guests who are navigating social services in Dallas
Utilize our case management technology to effectively build relationships with Guests via documenting pertinent personal and situational information
Collaborate with OurCalling’s Placement Solutions Team by following the established referral and placement procedures to create exit plans for homeless Guests
Skills & Abilities:
Because many of our Guests have been addicts for years and/or experience various levels of mental illness and trauma, Street Outreach Care Ministers should:
Be patient and long-suffering while showing discernment
Show grace to those who feel defeated by their own desires and cycles of destruction or are unable to articulate more than their frustration
Interact gently and with empathy as needed
Be able to establish and manage boundaries, to deny requests regularly and overlook or navigate through entitlement attitudes, demonstrating self-control, and not be easily offended
Be sensitive to cultural differences such as race, ethnicity, and neighborhoods of origin
Be knowledge of the Bible and comfortable teaching, witnessing, discipling and encouraging others
Have a demonstrable track record of maturity, integrity, taking personal initiative, being flexible in a busy and fast-paced environment, and as a trusted team member, have worked effectively across the ministry
Be able to lift boxes up to 20 pounds, drive a van, walk long distances, regularly stoop and kneel, climb stairs, converse in loud environments, and work in uncomfortable Texas climate and other environmental elements (e.g., animals, inclement weather, etc.)
Be able to use an iPad to enter and track pertinent information on Guests
Be humble with the ability to listen well and accept constructive feedback from team members
A Street Outreach Care Minister’s motivation to serve must be:
A commitment to build deep relationships
A love for Jesus Christ and a desire to see His kingdom and glory increase
A love for those in the homeless community with a desire for them to be won to a fruitful relationship with Jesus Christ and to escape homelessness
Education & Experience:
A bachelor's degree in psychology, counseling, sociology, social work, philosophy, theology or other similar degree programs, preferred; minimum of an associate's degree, required
Three years of related “life” or ministry experience required
Experience in pastoral care toward those struggling with addiction, mental illness, abandonment, homelessness and poverty, desired
Additional Qualifications:
Upholding a close and growing relationship as a disciple of Jesus Christ
Our Benefits: We offer an excellent Total Rewards benefit package that includes over 3 weeks Paid Time Off plus Holidays to start, as well as Health Reimbursement Benefit of up to $800 per month, Parental Leave, Life Insurance, Retirement Plan with matching, and more.
The pay range for this role is:
40,000 - 40,000 USD per year (OurCalling - Cesar Chavez)