Director of Evangelization and Mission

Job Description

Director of Evangelization and Mission
Reports To: Pastor, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish
Location: St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Madison, WI
Employment Type: Full-Time

Job Summary
The Director of Evangelization and Mission fosters a culture of discipleship, evangelization, and mission within the parish. This role focuses on forming missionary disciples through small-group formation and parish-wide initiatives that engage both active and inactive Catholics. The director collaborates with clergy, staff, and lay leaders to develop and implement strategies aligned with the parish's vision and the Church's evangelizing mission, keeping evangelization at the heart of all ministry areas.

We seek a leader who not only develops programs but also accompanies people-helping them encounter Jesus Christ in a way that changes how they live and calls them to grow as missionary disciples.

Key Responsibilities
1. Evangelization & Discipleship
• Implement and oversee the diocese's Go Make Disciples evangelization initiatives at the parish level to deepen faith and invite others into a relationship with Christ.
• Work with the pastor to develop, implement, and facilitate staff ongoing formation efforts and yearly retreats.
• Develop, implement, and monitor parish-wide discipleship pathways (in collaboration with the pastor, parish staff, and lay leadership).
• Train and equip parishioners to share their faith and serve as missionary disciples, including one-on-one accompaniment to assist individuals on their faith journey.
• Collaborate with the Parish Life Coordinator to foster a welcoming environment and the integration and orientation of newcomers, inactive Catholics, and non-Catholics into the parish.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Hispanic Ministry to develop and implement evangelization efforts within the Hispanic community, including Spanish-language retreats, missions, small groups, and evangelization events.

2. Mission
• Coordinate annual parish-wide bilingual missions, retreats, and evangelization events, and develop follow-up processes to help participants continue growing in faith.
• Create and support parish-wide small-group discipleship programs
• Establish small basic Christian communities among parishioners that gather in homes, coffee shops, or workplaces rather than on parish grounds.
• Organize local and international pilgrimage opportunities and service mission trips/opportunities.
• Coordinate Christmas and Easter "invite back" campaigns for parishioners to invite inactive Catholics.
• Develop neighborhood outreach initiatives to engage inactive Catholics and those with no church affiliation in our vicinity.

3. Adult Faith Formation
• Oversee adult faith formation programs, including Bible studies, discipleship courses, and Evangelical Catholic ReachMore.
• Ensure all evangelization efforts are doctrinally sound and aligned with Church teaching, and diocesan policies and guidelines.
• Develop resources for ongoing spiritual growth and missionary discipleship.

4. Leadership & Collaboration
• Recruit, train, and support volunteers for evangelization and mission efforts.
• Work with parish staff and lay leadership to integrate evangelization into liturgies, communications, and parish culture.
• Collaborate with diocesan offices and other parishes to share resources and best practices.
• Lead and direct the evangelization team, which includes:
o Associate Director of Digital Evangelization
o Associate Director of Sacramental Awakening (overseeing OCIA, Baptism, Funeral Planning, and Marriage Preparation).
o Evangelization Commission

5. Administrative Duties
• Develop budgets and manage resources for evangelization and mission programs.
• Track participation and evaluate program effectiveness.
• Communicate initiatives through bulletins, social media, and the parish website.

Qualifications
• Faith: Practicing Catholic in good standing, with a deep commitment to evangelization and Church teaching. Ability to adhere to Diocesan policies and guidelines, including commitment to the Code of Conduct and VIRTUS Safe Environment protocols.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in theology, Pastoral Ministry, Evangelization, or a related field (Master's preferred).
• Experience:
o 3+ years in parish ministry, evangelization, or missionary work.
o Proven ability to recruit, train, and retain volunteers.
o Leadership in volunteer management and program development.
o Experience leading small groups, retreats, missions, or faith-sharing programs preferred.
• Skills:
o Excellent public speaking, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
o Ability to inspire and form others as disciples.
o Proficiency in digital tools for communication and outreach.
o Bilingual abilities (Spanish and English) will be an added strength.

Work Environment
• Typical office hours are 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with flexibility required for frequent evening and weekend events and programs.
• Occasional light physical activity for event setup (lifting up to 25 lbs).

Compensation
Salary and benefits are commensurate with qualifications and experience. Salary range is available upon request at the interview stage.

To Apply
Please submit the following materials to business@stamadison.org with the subject line: Director of Evangelization and Mission
• A cover letter expressing your interest and qualifications
• Your current resume
• Contact information for three professional references (at least one pastoral reference)

Position open until filled.

Please note: This job description is not designed or intended to be a comprehensive or exhaustive list of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of an employee in this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

About the Employer

We are a Catholic parish where people experience Jesus Christ in a way that changes how they live.
Somos una parroquia Catolica donde las personas presencian a Jesucristo de una manera que cambia como viven.

St. Thomas Aquinas parish is a place of God's mercy and hope, where all feel welcomed, loved, forgiven, and encouraged to live out the Good News. Our doors are wide open so that all may enter. These same doors are also wide open so we can go out and share that good news with others.