Snapshot
Denomination: Non-denominational
Location: Remote Role
The Role: President
For over 40 years, Sonlife has taught the life of Christ developmentally, believing that Jesus modeled how to create a movement of multiplying disciples. Looking at Jesus’ life from the perspective of a leader trying to “walk as Jesus walked” (I John 2:6) and “do what Jesus did” (John 14:12), we have analyzed what Jesus did the first year, second year, and third year in creating a movement of multiplying disciples. Identifying 5 phases in the development of a healthy ministry, we have identified critical priorities Jesus lived by in building a movement of multiplying disciples. Believing that Jesus' disciples may have been in their late teens or early 20’s, we have committed ourselves to training next generation leaders in developing disciple-making ministries.
Dann Spader, Sonlife’s founder, birthed the ministry out of a youth ministry he was leading while a student at Moody Bible Institute. One of Dann’s professors at Moody had made the comment that it was likely that many of Jesus’ original disciples were teenagers, so Dann decided to intently study Jesus and model his ministry after the Son’s life. Soon other youth pastors in the Chicagoland area were asking Dann to teach them about the Son’s life and how to build a ministry like Jesus. Since its founding, Sonlife has worked hard to go deep into the Life of Christ… making application to ministry within a local church setting. Today, Sonlife’s disciple-making training is impacting ministry leaders in over 100 countries across the globe. Over 1,000,000 leaders have been through some aspect of the Sonlife training over the last 40 years, and over 50 organizations globally have identified Sonlife as their training partner.
In July 2013, Doug Holliday accepted the leadership role of President for Sonlife North America. Doug began in youth ministry in 1987 at the church Dann Spader attended, and Dann became a ministry mentor for Doug. In 2001, Doug joined Sonlife’s leadership team as the Southeast Regional Coordinator and Jr. High Ministry Multiplier. After leading Sonlife for over a decade, Doug will return to leading his own organization and increasing disciple-making globally..
Today, Sonlife’s team of missionaries continues to grow as many who have been impacted by the Son’s Life are called to step out in faith and join our team, equipping others as they have been equipped through training and coaching in relational disciple-making according to the Son’s life.
About the President:
The President leads the Sonlife North America Executive Team, providing broad oversight for Sonlife’s disciple-making efforts in the US, Canada and the Caribbean. The President is charged with developing and leading a team to effectively carry out a strategy for reaching Sonlife’s mission and vision
*The new President will be required to raise their own support for this role.
Develop and execute a strategy for implementing Sonlife’s BE•BUILD•BEGIN disciple-making pathway with youth ministry and next generation leaders across North America.
Provide clarity and integrate a train/coach/mentor approach to reaching Sonlife’s vision.
Oversee team development- annual key result areas, monthly personal retreat days, monthly coaching, and annual evaluation for all team members.
Develop an effective rhythm for leading regular team meetings and retreats.
Oversee US Team Recruitment
Oversee development of training materials
Oversee development of the annual budget
Oversee fund development for strategic initiatives
Develop and execute a communication strategy
Oversee Operations
Oversee Finances
Oversee HR
The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the President:
Education & Experience
While formal theological education is not required for this position, the successful candidate will demonstrate a passion for lifelong learning. A Bachelors or Masters degree is preferred.
A minimum of 10 years experience in a church-based ministry or ministry related field is required.
Previously Demonstrated Skills
Must have clearly observable evidence of building an effective disciple-making ministry
Team builder
Motivational leader of leaders
Process-oriented
A gifted communicator who can connect effectively in one on one, small group, or large group settings
A strategic organizational leader
Strong organizer and delegator
Maintains and enforces accountability of delegated tasks
Ability to connect/collaborate with other organizations and leaders
Resource/curriculum development
Personal Characteristics & Qualifications
Must clearly bleed the Jesus’ disciple-making model DNA
Enthusiastically supports the mission and values of Sonlife and has been involved with Jesus model disciple-making in recent years.
Possesses the spiritual gifts of teaching and leadership
Theologically mature to relate to senior pastors/leaders
Committed to excellence
Self-starter/entrepreneurial skills to adapt to current changing ministry landscape
Think you're a great fit for this role? Become a candidate below.