CHIEF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & MINISTRY OFFICER
Dream Center Los Angeles

MINISTRY SUMMARY

The Dream Center was founded in 1994 by Pastor Tommy Barnett and his son, Pastor Matthew Barnett, later joined in leadership by Pastor Caroline Barnett. What began as a small outreach to a struggling Los Angeles neighborhood has grown into a global movement of compassion and transformation.

For more than 30 years, the Dream Center has been a faith-based charitable organization committed to “finding and filling the needs” of individuals and families facing poverty, homelessness, addiction, abuse, and human trafficking. Every day, lives are restored through innovative residential programs, community outreach, education, workforce development, and leadership training.

The Dream Center’s mission is simple yet profound: to connect broken people to a community of support by offering free resources and services that meet immediate needs while also addressing long-term restoration. Rooted in the vision of its founders, the Dream Center continues to be a lighthouse of hope for Los Angeles and a model replicated by churches and nonprofits across the nation and the world.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief Leadership Development & Ministry Officer (CLDMO) serves as a key member of the Dream Center’s Executive Leadership Team, responsible for the oversight, vision, and execution of all ministry and leadership development programs that form the spiritual and educational core of the organization.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the CLDMO provides strategic direction and operational oversight across five major ministry areas:

1. Dream Center Leadership School (DCLS) — A nine-month discipleship and leadership program equipping future leaders through academic instruction, ministry experience, and spiritual formation.
2. Short-Term Missions — A national and international outreach program hosting teams for hands-on ministry experiences that transform both the participant and the city.
3. Dream Center Network — A global network of Dream Centers offering shared training, coaching, and support to replicate the Dream Center model worldwide.
4. Volunteers — The heartbeat of the Dream Center’s operations, engaging thousands of individuals annually in service, compassion, and community outreach.
5. Immersion Program — A residential discipleship experience offering intensive ministry training, community living, and spiritual development.

The CLDMO will ensure that each program aligns with the Dream Center’s mission, culture, and core values while building unified systems for leadership formation, discipleship, and ministry excellence.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Strategic Leadership & Oversight

• Provide visionary leadership, structure, and accountability across DCLS, Short-Term Missions, the Dream Center Network, Volunteers, and Immersion.

• Design and oversee a unified leadership development framework that integrates spiritual growth, practical ministry training, and servant leadership.

• Build measurable systems for tracking participation, outcomes, and impact across all five program areas.

• Collaborate with the CEO and Executive Team to align ministry programs with the organization’s long-term strategy and mission priorities.

• Ensure all programs are operated with excellence, safety, integrity, and compliance with organizational and legal standards.

2. Dream Center Leadership School (DCLS)

• Provide visionary and hands-on leadership for the ongoing development of DCLS, cultivating a transformative environment for 18–25-year-old students that integrates biblical instruction, mentorship, hands-on ministry, and community service.

• Oversee the 9-month curriculum integrating leadership theory, theology, and real-world outreach through the Dream Center’s 20+ active programs.

• Develop partnerships with local churches, ministries, and educational institutions for accreditation, internships, and alumni engagement.

• Oversee student admissions, staff leadership, evaluation, and student life to ensure a transformational experience.

• Foster a culture of servant leadership, accountability, and personal growth throughout the DCLS experience.

3. Short-Term Missions & Volunteer Engagement

• Oversee all Short-Term Missions programs that bring hundreds of visiting teams to serve across Los Angeles annually.

• Ensure trip logistics, ministry placements, risk management, and participant orientation deliver excellence.

• Align missions activities with long-term outreach priorities to ensure sustainable community impact.

• Lead volunteer systems for recruitment, onboarding, training, and retention across departments.

• Build a volunteer culture that embodies hospitality, service, and joy.

4. Dream Center Network

• Provide executive oversight and strategic direction for the Dream Center Network — a movement of 80+ Dream Centers worldwide.

• Build systems for training, best practices, coaching, and expansion.

• Host national and regional summits, workshops, and training gatherings.

• Collaborate with founding leadership to maintain global mission and culture consistency.

5. Immersion Program & Ministry Development

• Lead the Immersion Program, a 3–6 month ministry residency for adults seeking growth in leadership and purpose.

• Ensure curriculum, mentorship, and service rotations align with the Dream Center’s ministries.

• Oversee staff and housing integration, participant care, and cross-department coordination.

• Create pathways for graduates to continue through DCLS, employment, or ongoing ministry roles.

6. Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise program directors and managers, fostering communication and excellence.

• Build a faith-centered culture rooted in trust, clarity, and servant leadership.

• Partner closely with executive team leaders for ministry alignment.

• Model humility, prayer, and Christ-centered leadership in all actions.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Theology, Youth Ministry, Christian Leadership, Education, or related field required.

• Master’s degree in Ministry, Organizational Leadership, or Nonprofit Management preferred.

Experience:

• 10+ years in ministry and leadership, preferably in a large church, university, or nonprofit.

• Success in leadership development, discipleship systems, volunteer mobilization, and ministry operations.

• Proven ability to lead multi-department teams, oversee budgets, and deliver measurable outcomes.

• Experience in missions, leadership schools, or network/coalition-building preferred.

Skills & Competencies:

• Visionary leader with strong organizational and strategic skills.

• Skilled in experiential and immersive leadership training.

• Proficient in mission trip coordination, discipleship systems, and curriculum design.

• Inspirational communicator and teacher.

• Financially literate and mission-aligned.

• Deep personal faith and alignment with the Dream Center’s statement of faith.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary range: $110,000 – $135,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
Includes health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and professional development opportunities aligned with faith-based values.

HOW TO APPLY

Send applications, emails, and inquiries to:
📧 lgarcia@dreamcenter.org | ☎️ 213-273-7018
Contact: Liana Garcia

Required Materials:

1. Cover Letter — Describe your passion for leadership development and ministry, relevant experience, and alignment with the Dream Center’s mission.
2. Resume/CV — Include experience in ministry, leadership, and program development.

Optional (Encouraged):

• Teaching or Ministry Portfolio — Samples of curriculum, training, or ministry initiatives you have led.