Church Engagement, training and Public Relations- Recruit Christian faith communities for partnership with Bridge of Hope and build a positive brand for Bridge of Hope in the county.
Are you passionate about ending family homelessness and engaging diverse Christian faith communities in the work? Join this fast-paced, mission-driven organization!
Title: Church Engagement and Housing Specialist
Report to: Lancaster Executive Director
Hours: Full-time, hybrid flexibility, exempt position
Start date: June 2026
Qualifications:
- Minimum of a bachelor's degree in a related field; ideally seminary or social work degree.
- Strong knowledge of churches in the region and ecumenical work across Christian faith communities.
- Strong interpersonal and group training skills.
- Strong communication skills, written and oral.
- A passion for and a commitment to the mission of Bridge of Hope: To engage Christian faith communities in ending family homelessness through neighboring relationships that demonstrate Christ’s love.
- Active member of a Christian faith community that confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, with a strong personal faith experience.
- Ability to build positive relationships within and across a broad spectrum of Christian faith communities within Protestant and Catholic traditions. This includes speaking well of the work of the Church across deep theologically held differences and maintaining an openhanded posture that invites followers of Jesus to put their faith in action through Neighboring.
- Demonstrates cultural humility and/or experience in multi-cultural settings, including across diverse church settings.
- Ability to build positive, collaborative relationships with community landlords and housing providers to promote housing access for families.
- Proficient in computer technology, including Microsoft Office products, Zoom, and able to work with databases.
- Position requires a valid driver’s license and availability of a vehicle.
- Position requires current PA Child Abuse History Clearance, the PA State Police Criminal History Clearance, and the FBI Criminal History Clearance* PRIOR to beginning employment.
Position Summary: Responsible for developing and growing strong relationships with churches from across a diverse spectrum of Christian faith traditions to engage them in forming groups of Neighboring Volunteers to walk with families facing homelessness. This includes serving as an ambassador for Bridge of Hope for volunteering and financial support. This role also focuses on engaging new landlord partners who will rent to Bridge of Hope families. This staff member works to achieve two key program outcomes: Launching Neighborhoods of Support within 60 days of families accepting services and Housing families within 60 days of accepting services.
Hours: 40 hours/week; flexible schedule, must be available evenings and weekends and person will manage their own schedule. Sunday presentations are frequent, averaging twice a month on Sunday mornings.
Responsibilities:
Church Engagement, training and Public Relations- Recruit Christian faith communities for partnership with Bridge of Hope and build a positive brand for Bridge of Hope in the county. (70% - 28 hr/wk)
- Develop and implement a church engagement annual plan for building stronger links with more Christian faith communities, utilizing community board members and other volunteers as much as possible to build relationships.
- In partnership with the Program Director, work to launch Neighborhoods of Support within less than 60 days of families beginning to receive Bridge of Hope services.
- Assure the readiness of the specified number of new groups of Bridge of Hope Neighboring Volunteers annually, who are ready to begin Neighboring as families enter the program, with attention to the geographical areas of the county where Neighboring churches are needed.
- Create strong, mutually beneficial and collaborative relationships with Christian faith communities.
- Give presentations about Bridge of Hope's program to Christian faith communities through displays and public speaking opportunities.
- Follow-up with potentially interested Christian faith communities, encouraging Christian faith communities to support Bridge of Hope through Neighboring, financial support and other volunteer opportunities.
- Recruit Neighboring Volunteers in advance of serving families in order to most quickly connect families in Neighborhoods of support.
- Develop relationships with key individuals within local congregations for nurturing the future involvement of Christian faith communities with Bridge of Hope.
- Relate to council of churches, ministeriums, and other gatherings of Christian faith community leaders for the purpose of building relationships, presenting Bridge of Hope and building connections with new congregations.
- Facilitate training for groups of Neighboring Volunteers using the Strangers to Neighbors© training materials in advance of the Neighborhood Launch.
- Plan and host quarterly Neighborhood Gatherings and celebrations in collaboration with the Program Director.
- Contribute to bi-monthly eNews for supporters and volunteers in the county.
- Utilize Raiser’s Edge NXT database to record all contacts with churches and use the church engagement system for weekly contacts and outreach.
- Promote landlord partnerships in all presentations and identify potential landlord partners in order to decrease the days to house families in the county.
Invite churches and their members to financially support the ministry of Bridge of Hope through relational fundraising. (15% - 6 hr.wk)
- Add churches and individuals to the mailing list through church presentations and relationship-building.
- Work to attain the annual goals on church giving will include # of churches who are giving financially and total dollars given by churches in the county.
- Make thank you calls within several days of receiving church gifts of support.
- Engage individuals from supporting churches in their own financial engagement with Bridge of Hope.
Housing Coordination - Identify and collaborate with potential local housing stakeholders and community partners to promote housing partnerships to benefit Bridge of Hope families. (12.5% - 5 hr/wk)
- In partnership with the Program Director, work to house families within less than 60 days of those families beginning to receive Bridge of Hope services.
- Develop and maintain a list of landlords and property managers who are willing to work with Bridge of Hope families.
- Develop relationships with landlords and property management companies.
- Relate to community coalitions regarding housing issues and partner with other area service providers.
- Serve as a resource to landlords who are managing tenant issues as needed.
- Assist in preparing newly acquired properties for rental to Bridge of Hope families in collaboration with the Executive Director.
Other responsibilities to fulfill the mission of Bridge of Hope: (2.5% - 1 hr/wk)
- Participate in weekly staff lunch and monthly staff meetings
- To work with the year-at-a-glance document for this position, referring to it at least monthly and adding to it as necessary.
- Attend annual Bridge of Hope conference each October
- Participate in network-wide calls and learning opportunities.
- Serve as an ambassador for spreading the word about Bridge of Hope at a state and national level – including speaking well of each other locations in the network.
- Other responsibilities as requested by the Executive Director.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $62,000.00 - $72,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
Application Question(s):
- Are you available evenings and weekends including up to twice a month for Sunday morning presentations?
Education:
Experience:
- church related: 5 years (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Lancaster, PA 17603 (Required)
Work Location: In person
