Leading the Way CDO Oppty Profile

CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

OPPORTUNITY PROFILE

Passionately Proclaiming Uncompromising Truth

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GREETINGS

Dear Prospective Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in Leading The Way as we grow our Development team. Now celebrating

over 35 years of ministry, we are committed to passionately proclaiming uncompromising Truth

through all forms of media and creative methods, providing hope that is changing lives here at home

and around the world.

I founded Leading The Way in 1988, and since then we have been on the frontline of the spiritual

battlefield, armed with our greatest weapon: the Word of God. Currently broadcasting in 28 of the

world’s most spoken languages, Leading The Way is reaching six continents with the Gospel message.

Through the thriving global ministry of Leading The Way, thousands of individuals are coming to Christ

as God penetrates their hearts with the Gospel message.

Leading The Way is in an exciting season of growth. We are expanding our leadership to include a Chief

Development Officer to nurture and build relationships with our key donors, and to successfully lead

our ministry relations team. I invite you to read this Opportunity Profile and explore the Leading The

Way website. If you resonate with our mission and feel called to begin the discovery process with us,

please review the Process of Candidacy on the last page.

If you have questions, please contact Annie Patton (apatton@jobfitmatters.com) or Laura Coverstone

(lcoverstone@jobfitmatters.com), the JobfitMatters executive search consultants assisting Leading

The Way with this search.

Thank you again for your interest in Leading The Way, and for your thoughtful prayer and consideration.

In Christ,

Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Founder and President/CEO

Leading The Way

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THE MINISTRY

What began in 1988 as a small local radio ministry in Atlanta, Georgia, has grown into an international

outreach ministry shining the light of Christ into some of the darkest places in the world. With

groundbreaking advances in countries notoriously closed to the Gospel, Leading The Way (LTW)

is distinctive in its vision and ability to proclaim the Gospel. The organization reaches 195 million

households in the Middle East and North Africa; engages 15 million people through social media; and

distributes over 2 million biblical resources per year.

Leading The Way’s outreach begins with the proclamation of God’s Word. The foundation of the

ministry is the biblical teaching of Dr. Michael Youssef. These teachings are recorded and distributed

to reach the lost and equip the saints through every major form of media including satellite television

and solar-powered devices.

In addition to broadcasting the Gospel, Leading The Way connects listeners and viewers to field ministry

teams to help them grow in their faith through ongoing discipleship and personal evangelism. This

holistic outreach is designed to not only effectively reach the lost, but also to equip and strengthen the

church to stand strong and advance the Gospel in today’s world.

PROCLAIM

Strategically utilizing the most popular media platforms to create 18,000 weekly broadcasts,

offering Christ-centered programs in 28 of the most spoken languages.

DISCIPLE

Thousands of biblical resources for spiritual growth, including books, sermons, small

group materials, a monthly magazine, daily devotionals, church seminars, and more.

HELP

Field teams engaging in evangelism and discipleship, helping listeners and viewers

come to know Christ personally, grow in their new faith, and begin to impact their local

communities for Christ.

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HISTORY

“The story of Leading The Way is a story about God and His faithfulness.

It’s a story about His search for people who are willing to trust and obey.”

-Dr. Michael Youssef

1988

1989

1996

2000

2009

2009

2018

THE BEGINNING OF A LEGACY

A founding member of the church encourages Dr. Youssef to set up a radio ministry. Dr. Youssef

says, “We don’t need another preacher on the radio.” His colleagues persist, and Dr. Youssef obliges.

LOCAL RADIO BROADCASTS BEGIN

Designed to share the good news with the unchurched and invite people to The Church of the

Apostles, the church begins producing and airing short, biblical teaching lessons to Atlanta ,

Georgia, audiences.

LEADING THE WAY GOES GLOBAL

Dr. Youssef teams with his former English teacher, Baki Sadaka, to air his sermons in English,

followed by an Arabic translation. Field ministry teams are established to accommodate the

overwhelming response.

LEADING THE WAY TV IS LAUNCHED

Ben Haden of Changed Lives shares, “For the past two and a half years, The Lord has been telling

me to give you my radio and TV ministry.” After much prayer, Dr. Youssef decides to trust and obey.

Programs begin airing in the United States and in the Middle East.

THE KINGDOM SAT GOES ON AIR

Five years after the Lord gives Dr. Youssef a vision for a 24/7 biblical teaching channel reaching

the Muslim world, the channel is launched. Follow up continues to expand to accommodate the

response.

NAVIGATORS CROSS A TECHNOLOGICAL DIVIDE

Leading The Way partners with MegaVoice to create the solar-powered Navigator audio device,

reaching remote areas with God’s Word and building the underground church. The first Navigators

are shipped to Albania and Indonesia.

LEADING THE WAY LAUNCHES VISION 2025

Dr. Youssef introduces the strategic Vision 2025 initiative, a groundbreaking ministry expansion

plan to see one million souls come to Christ by 2025.

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PRESIDENT & CEO

DR. MICHAEL YOUSSEF, FOUNDER AND CEO

Dr. Michael Youssef was born in Egypt and lived in Lebanon and

Australia before coming to the United States and fulfilling a

childhood dream of becoming an American citizen. He holds

degrees from Moore College in Sydney, Australia, and Fuller

Theological Seminary in California, with a Ph.D. in cultural

anthropology from Emory University. He founded The Church

of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the

mission to “Equip the Saints and Seek the Lost.” The church

has since grown to a congregation of over “3000”. This church

was the launching pad for Leading The Way’s international

ministry. Dr. Youssef receives no compensation for his time,

nor does he receive royalties from the sale of any of the resource

materials he produces.

Dr. Youssef has authored more than 50 books, including popular titles Saving Christianity, Never Give

Up, Is the End Near?, and Life-Changing Prayers. He and his wife reside in Atlanta and have four grown

children and 13 grandchildren.

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VISION 2025: MINISTRY EXPANSION PLAN

Through seven strategic initiatives, Leading The Way is expanding every

area of ministry so that one million souls will come to Christ by 2025. The

Director of Ministry Relations will share this vision with donors so they are

informed about and engaged with the ministry’s expansion plans.

1.

Double Media

Footprint in U.S.

Join the

#VISION2025

Movement

2.

Reach Muslims

Here at Home

7.

Target a

New Generation

3.

Expand Discipleship

Network in the

Muslim World

6.

Distribute 100,000

More Navigators

5.

Host Strategic

Evangelistic Events

4.

Double Audience of

THE KINGDOM SAT

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AT-A-GLANCE

2023

35 Years

Field Teams:

17 Members Servicing

14 Countries Where Field Teams Are Serving

28 Languages

6 Continents

Navigator Devices:

17,347 Devices Distributed

$28 M Budget

88% of All

Gifts Went to

Ministry Expenses

50 Total Staff

THE KINGDOM SAT

Top 5 Countries Reached

Egypt, Algeria, Iraq, Morocco, & Tunisia

41%

of Viewers are Muslim

5,976

Bibles Distributed

42

Baptized

165 Sought Baptisms

46%

Increase in the Number of Gospel

Presentations (2022 Vs. 2023)

Internet

537,000 Visitors to the LTW Website

73,000 Views of LTW LIVE

2,021 Have Received Counseling from LTW

in the Western World

1+ Million Subscribers On YouTube

Since the launch of

Vision 2025:

38 Million

People Reached on Social Media

435,000+

Prayer Warriors Mobilized Through “Awake America”

100+

New TV & Radio Stations Added

3.4 Million

Biblical Resources Distributed

250+

Candid Podcast Episodes Released

57

Countries Given New Navigators

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THE POSITION

CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

The Chief Development Officer is responsible for overseeing all development activities, including

leading the mid-level donor team (5), the major donor team (4), the ministry relations coordinator, and

the Foundations and Trust team. The Chief Development Officer will spend the majority of time with

donors alongside the major donor representatives. Reporting to the President and CEO, the individual

serving in this position will enjoy working in a dynamic atmosphere with a strong team dedicated to

the highest standards of excellence in developing and serving a portfolio of major donors. This role is

both player (individual contributor) and coach (of the development team).

The culture at Leading The Way is passionate, professional, and mission-focused. Many team members

have been drawn to the ministry from other careers in network media and private business. The

ministry’s growth has had enormous Kingdom impact, and each team member feels the calling and

urgency to fulfill reach more people for Christ.

A successful Director Chief Development Officer will have both a pastor’s heart, fundraising acumen,

and team leadership strengths. This person will be able to genuinely care for the team and donors

while also helping them steward their resources well. This person will have an understanding of assetbased

vs. cash-based giving and a deep passion for reaching the world for Christ.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with the Chief Marketing Officer to create an effective integrated strategy.

• Model, inspire, challenge, empower, and encourage ministry relations staff.

• Evaluate and challenge current approaches, processes, metrics, tools, and activity.

• Lead accountable and meaningful change to achieve development goals and objectives.

• Provide support, counsel, and training for each level of development staff.

• Convert marketing initiatives into individual, actionable “asks” for major donors.

• Identify, prospect, retain and grow major donors to meet fundraising goals.

• Develop a successful planned giving / asset based giving program.

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Development Team Organizational Chart

CEO/President

Chief

Development

Officer

Ministry

Relations

Coordinator

Major Gift

Officers

Midrange

Donor Reps

Foundations

& Trusts

Reps

Director of

Ministry

Relations

(West)

Director of

Ministry

Relations

(Northeast)

Director of

Ministry

Relations

(Midwest)

Director of

Ministry

Relations

(Southeast)

Director of

Ministry

Relations

(Southwest)

Ministry

Relations

Rep

Ministry

Relations

Rep

Ministry

Relations

Rep

Ministry

Relations

Rep

Ministry

Relations

Rep

Director of

Ministry

Relations

(Atlanta)

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THE POSITION

QUALIFICATIONS

• Understanding of and expertise in prospect research, the development cycle, development

coordination with marketing and communications, and the recruitment, development, and

management of mid-range and major gift representatives.

• Solid presentation skills as well as verbal and written communications skills; creative, polished,

and professional.

• Emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills; high empathy; good listener.

• Strong attention to details, managing multiple tasks, meeting deadlines, and exceeding

expectations.

• Self-motivation with the ability to understand and execute complex instructions; tenacious but

tactful in pursuit of new opportunities.

• Openness, flexibility, and the ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines independently,

and respond productively to procedural changes within the organization.

• Ability to work well with others and encourage teamwork. Desires and accepts feedback and

constructive critique from supervisors and peers.

• Fervent commitment to the vision, mission, message, and messenger.

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

Leading The Way’s employees come from a broad range of church backgrounds. Nevertheless,

employees are expected to be a member in good standing of a church whose doctrinal convictions

and statement of faith are not in conflict with Leading The Way’s. To make sure everyone understands

our theological foundations, we require that all employees subscribe to the Statement of Faith, avoid

public statements conflicting with the Statement of Faith, and seek to conduct themselves in a manner

consistent with the beliefs set forth in the Statement of Faith.

EXPECTATIONS/GOALS

• Increase giving revenue by at least 15% each year over year in responsible donor segments

(mid-range donors, major donors, Foundation giving, and asset-based planned giving) for the

next 5 years.

• Build, mentor, manage, and measure ministry relations teams for mid-range and major donors

for North America (USA and Canada) to achieve ministry, development, team, and individual

goals.

• Source and secure Foundation and Trust giving to resource targeted ministry initiatives.

• Cultivate donor commitments in estate planning and wills.

LOCATION/TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

The Chief Development Officer will reside in the Greater Atlanta area to have meaningful day-to-day

relationship with the mid-level donor team. 50% or more of the CDO’s time is spent traveling to visit

donors with the major-level donor reps. This requires proactive planning, dedication to scheduling, and

significant intentionality.

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PROCESS OF CANDIDACY

If after reading this Opportunity Profile you sense that the gifts and experiences God has given you

are a good match for the Chief Development Officer role at Leading The Way, we invite you to begin

the inquiry process. All candidate information and conversations are treated confidentially. You may

contact Annie Patton of JobfitMatters at any stage of the process to receive more information and ask

questions. Her contact information is below.

Please submit the following:

1. Resume.

2. Responses to Essay Questions: In order to help us gain a more complete picture of you and your

interest in Leading The Way, please provide responses to the following:

• Describe your faith journey, devotional life, and involvement in your local church.

• Based on the Leading The Way website, this document, and other sources, what attracts you to

the Chief Development Officer position?

3. References: Provide the names and contact information (telephone numbers and email addresses)

for four references who know you and your career well enough to comment on your suitability for

this role. References will be contacted only after we recieve your permission to do so.

Submit this information in one pdf to:

Annie Patton

JobfitMatters Executive Search

resumes@jobfitmatters.com

Phone: (629) 243-9331

Please include “Leading The Way - Chief Development Officer” in the email subject line.

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