Church Relations and Program Engagement Coordinator

United States, Multiple Locations, Remote/Hybrid within Great Lakes Region (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio (with exceptions), with preference to northern Illinois)

Applications due: 05 Dec, 2025

Job Synopsis

The Church Relations and Program Engagement Coordinator strengthens connections with Anabaptist congregations across the Great Lakes region—especially churches of color, multicultural, and marginalized congregations—while maintaining existing relationships. This full-time role fosters trust, builds partnerships, and engages churches in MCC's mission through relationship-building, communication, and collaboration. The coordinator will work closely with the Great Lakes Church Engagement and Community Outreach Coordinator. The coordinator tracks outreach trends, supports engagement activities and events, writes donor thank-you notes, and contributes to storytelling efforts. Regular regional travel, including occasional overnight stays, is required.

FTE and Schedule: 1.0 FTEFull Time

Job Details

Salaried Employee -Full Time at 1 FTE

Qualifications

Essential:

• Bachelor's degree in social science related field
• 1-3 years' experience in Nonprofit, church relations, or similar experience.
• Familiarity with Anabaptist theology, history, and diverse denominational expressions. (Beachy Amish Mennonite Churches, Brethren Is Christ US, Evana Network, LMC, Mennonite Church USA, Rosedale Network of churches, US conference of Mennonite Brethren churches.)
• Skilled at organizing and prioritizing work; leadership and management skills in the following areas: listening, dialogue, writing, abstract thinking, developing and communicating a vision, decision-making, financial management.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work with minimal supervision.
• Fluency in English language
• Ability and interest in learning about work around the world and representing MCC and priority concerns congregations and interested groups.
• Strong commitment to Jesus-centered faith and Anabaptist values (community, discipleship, peace, and justice).
• Cultural competency and demonstrated experience working across diverse communities, particularly with Black, Latino/a, Asian, Indigenous, and immigrant Anabaptist congregations.
• Excellent interpersonal, listening, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong written communication skills (including professional correspondence and thank-you notes).
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team while also taking initiative independently.
• Availability, flexibility and willingness to travel with overnight stays across the Great Lakes region; ability to work some evenings and weekends.
• Valid U.S. driver's license with acceptable driving record and eligible to be an MCC authorized driver as defined by policy, insurance, and legal requirements.

Employment eligibility: Legally eligible to work in the U.S. MCC offers of employment are subject to a successful criminal background check(s).

Preferred:

• Master's Degree in Sociology, Theology, Social Science or related field
• Bilingual (Spanish, or French)
• Theological training and experience
• Experience in justice and peacebuilding
• Previous experience in church relations, pastoral ministry, nonprofit engagement, fundraising, or community organizing.
• Knowledge of constituent groups
• Experience working with constituent groups and churches (preferably with Anabaptist background and churches of color).
• Knowledge of challenges and opportunities facing Anabaptist churches of color in North America.

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active participation in a Christian church or Christian community; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

Legal eligibility to be employed in the U.S. is required.

Key Responsibilities

Specific Tasks and Duties:

Administration & Reporting – 50%

• • Maintain accurate records of congregational relationships, meetings, and engagement activities in organizational databases working closely with Church Engagement Coordinator, MCC's Constituency Engagement Manager and Program Director.
• Analyze and synthesize data from visits, contacts, and communications to identify emerging needs, trends, and opportunities within Anabaptist communities; regularly report findings to leadership, highlighting areas of growth, gaps in engagement, and strategic directions for future outreach.
• Contribute to newsletters, reports, and communications that highlight congregational partnerships.
• Keep up with day-to-day office details such as mail, emails, reports etc.
• Actively participate and collaborate with MCC Great Lakes staff members as needed, including annual program planning processes.
• Attend MCC Great Lakes staff meetings and retreats as well as Board meetings when requested by supervisor.
• Prepare and implement annual budget and program plans for your program area.
• Write board and other reports as requested on the ongoing activities of the program.
• Maintain accurate financial records, submitting appropriate financial requests in a timely fashion.
• Support other initiatives as needed on a temporary basis.
• Write personalized thank-you notes and other acknowledgments to congregations and individuals who contribute financially and more.
• Share stories of impact that highlight how congregational giving supports the mission.
• Assist with other donors and congregational communications as needed.
• Other duties as assigned on a temporary basis

Relationship Building & Engagement – 30%

• • Serve as a liaison between the organization and assigned congregations, with a focus on Anabaptist churches of color.
• Build and maintain authentic, trusting relationships with pastors, lay leaders, and congregants.
• Listen actively to the needs, concerns, and hopes of congregations to inform organizational initiatives.
• Facilitate conversations that nurture mutual understanding and collaboration.
• Elevate and advocate for the voices, gifts, and contributions of Anabaptist churches of color within the broader Anabaptist community.
• Represent the organization at denominational gatherings, conferences, and congregational events. (In charge of booths/displays at church events (such as at a relief sale, conference annual meeting, etc.)
• Collaborate with staff and board members to ensure diverse perspectives shape organizational priorities.

Program & Resource Connection - 20%

• • Connect congregations with organizational programs, services, and resources that support ministry, leadership development, and community engagement including availability to MCC GL grants.
• Help design culturally relevant resources and initiatives that reflect the lived experiences of Anabaptist churches of color.
• Support events, training, and workshops that bring congregations together around shared values of peace, justice, discipleship, and community.
• Attend conferences, relief sales, and networking events that help create and maintain relationships.
• Speak and share MCC's work at churches, universities and with other groups around the region. (Could include preaching opportunities, Sunday school teaching, etc.)

Other duties as assigned on a temporary basis.

Supervision: No supervisory responsibilities.

Travel expectations: Up to 25%.

Travel within the region, US and Canada to meet with congregations, partners and other constituent agencies to support the work of Great Lakes is necessary for this position and may include up to 65 nights away over the course of the year.

Start Date

12 Jan, Yes

Salary Details

Base salary: $59, Starting salary may be adjusted up to 65,855.15 based on previous experience.

Benefits

Medical, dental and vision, 23 days paid vacation, sick time and 10 holidays/year. Life insurance provided, as well as long and short term disability coverage. The retirement plan, with MCC contribution of 7%, begins after six months of employment.

Additional Information

Anti-oppression commitment: MCC expects all staff to actively participate in an organization culture that focuses on dismantling any barriers based on race, economic inequality or gender-based oppression. This includes an expectation to assess and address any barriers within themselves, within their team(s), and within MCC;

Safeguarding commitment: All MCC Staff are expected to work collaboratively to create and maintain an organizational culture that prevents and responds to situations of abuse of power (sexual harassment, child abuse, racism, exploitation, and fraud among other situations).

Assess, manage, and monitor risks related to abuses of power in program design, implementation and monitoring.

Provide support to MCC programs to assess, manage, and monitor risks related to safeguarding, fraud, and other abuses of power in project design, implantation, and monitoring.

This job description is designed to be a thorough list of the employee's responsibilities. It may not be an exhaustive list of duties, particularly for short-term duties that may arise. This Job Description will be reviewed and updated at least annually to ensure recurring and routine duties are included in this job description.

Location Description

Remote/Hybrid within Great Lakes Region (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio (with exceptions), with preference to northern Illinois)