Yesterday I was riding a Harley through beautiful countryside back to Kansas City as the sun was setting with friends. two things struck me (besides the occasional bugs!). I realized what joy it was to feel comfortable riding a bike that powerful and so enjoy my surroundings. It was like a whole new world had opened up to me. Then I remembered how terrified I was two years ago when I first got on a Harley and tried to navigate 435 at 70 with semi tractor trailers all around me!

I don’t know if it was courage on my part or shear naiveté to attempt riding a motorcycle but I am so glad for where that journey took me. I would have not enjoyed a day like Monday if I hadn’t taken that risk two years ago.

The reason God commands us to be courageous is because bold actions initiate remarkable journeys, journeys that leave us marveling at the new worlds opened up for us.

This morning I had a clear sense of what courage will look like for me over the next few months. What will courage look like for you?

Much is going on at HCC these days…here are some things I would like you to know:

-Please be praying for our staff as we manage new responsibilities. The resignation of Don Mapes creates challenges and opportunities. Our staff has amazed me as they have stepped up and there are a number o f lay-leaders that are helping with critical responsibilities and initiatives.

-Pray for Gary Brown in his role as Personnel Elder. We are so thankful for his willingness to step in and act as point person for us as we make this transition and desire to keep moving forward. Gary has already stepped in and will be acting as our Interim Executive Director. With his experience as an executive pastor as well as his work in the corporate world (IBM) he is already proving to be invaluable.

-Pray for the search teams actively working to fill three significant ministry positions: children’s pastor, mission’s pastor, and a new pastoral position approved by the Council in the area of Spiritual Formation.

-I am so excited about the team working to strengthen adult ministries! Wish I could share more but the “cone of silence” prevents me from saying much more than “LifeGroups” at this point. This will be a major step forward for us as we improve the way we develop discipleship here at HCC.

-Thanks for the encouragement from so many of you as I approach my sabbatical. As the time approaches I will share some details and ask for your prayers. I have been blown away by the encouragement coming from our staff too….or maybe they just want me out of the way!!!

Purpose:

The Pastor of Missions shall be responsible for coordinating and implementing the global and local missions programs of Hillcrest. The Pastor of Missions shall work to facilitate the engagement of the congregation in fulfilling the Great Commission of Christ by proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, making disciples, and relating to the whole need of mankind, both spiritual and physical, with primary focus on ministries that cross barriers of culture, language, and/or distance. The Pastor of Missions will report directly to the Pastor of Worship, Connections and Missional Impact or the Senior Pastor. He/she will also work together with the Missions Ministry in providing care and support for Hillcrest missionaries, evaluation of the effectiveness of our missions efforts and being good stewards of the monies set aside by Hillcrest for the fulfillment of The Great Commission.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Leading and guiding the Missions Ministry.
   a. Meet on a regular basis with the Pastor of Worship, Connections and Missional Impact or Senior Pastor.
   b. To review, build upon and clarify mission goals, vision and strategy of the Missions Ministry.
   c. Establish annual goals/objectives for missions at Hillcrest.
   d. Manage daily activity of Missions administrative assistant and complete periodic performance evaluation.
   e. Communicate and coordinate efforts with Covenant World Missions to develop synergy, cost reductions and better utilize denominational programs.
   f. Working with the Elder of Missions in developing agendas for meetings, providing leadership, reporting on current mission activities and upcoming plans.
   g. In conjunction with the Missions committee, determine the deployment of funds set aside by the church for missions, including development of the annual budget.
   h. Attend weekly staff meetings and communicates mission initiatives and solicits support for mission activities.

 

2. Overseeing missionary care and development for the missionaries and organizations supported by Hillcrest.
   a. Communicate on a regular basis with all supported Hillcrest missionaries and supported organizations.
   b. To coordinate and participate in visits to Hillcrest missionaries and supported organizations.
   c. Develop and implement an annual review process for all supported missionaries and organizations.

 

3. Enlisting, training and supervising staff and volunteers in the fulfillment of the Great Commission through the missions programs of the church.
   a. To implement a training program to educate and develop “World Christians” at Hillcrest.
   b. To develop and train people from the congregation for short-and long-term missions service.
   c. Communicates and keeps congregation informed on Mission activities including short-term trips and recruitment of mission volunteers.
   d. To coordinate and participate in short-term trips.

 

4. Coordinating local outreach programs with the Pastor of Outreach.
   a. Communicate with other churches in the area on how to better partner and share resources.

 

5. Serving as an active member of the pastoral team
   a. Perform other ministerial duties assigned by the Senior Pastor to include preaching when called upon.

Qualifications:

1. A strong commitment to the Covenant Affirmations of Faith, including specifically the centrality and authority of God’s Word and the necessity of the new birth through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
2. A passion for implementing the Great Commission.
3. An in-depth knowledge of missions and missiology as evidenced through graduate degrees in ministry or missions or extensive (5-10 years) of experience on the missions field or missions, preferably international.
4. A heart for unreached and least reached people groups throughout the world.
5. A demonstrated ability to provide leadership, vision and direction for the Missions Ministry.
6. Management and Leadership abilities with demonstrated advanced oral and written communication skills.
7. A proven track record of success with leading, training and directing teams or groups.
8. A leadership style that encourages team-work and relates well to a wide spectrum of people.

 

Send Cover Letter and Resume to apply:

Church: Hillcrest Covenant Church
Contact: Leo DeSpain – Vice Chairperson
Email: mpsearch@hillcrestcov.org
Address:
Hillcrest Covenant Church
Attention: Leo DeSpain
8801 Nall Avenue
Prairie Village, KS  66207

This may be just the thing for you!

It is no accident that you live where you do next to the particular people you find yourself walking and driving by each day.

Check out the ‘Open House’ Invitation and a Contact Sheet for personalizing and downloading to facilitate in serving those on your block, apartment, or community.

1. First hand deliver the invitation to each residence on your block, in your apartment building, or community.
2. Then host a brief get-together with refreshments to meet and also explain to your neighbors the idea of compiling everyone’s contact information so it is easy to get in touch with each other in case of a need.  Have the contact sheet set out so everyone can fill in their information.
3. Type up the completed contact sheet, make copies, and then hand deliver to each neighbor.
   
4. Hopefully then have another get-together to further develop relationships and just to enjoy one another!

Don’t be a stranger in your neighborhood!  Be a neighbor by knowing and serving those around you!  Who knows where it might lead?!

Back to Community Outreach

The Wonder of Conversion

What a great period of change and growth we are in as a church. In the midst of the excitement we long to remain aware of our real objective. While growing numbers and updated facilities may grab your attention (and ours) they cannot distract from our central purpose as a church.  Our purpose is to participate in the conversion of lives. I almost hate to use the word because it has been so misrepresented.

Recently our staff team read an article by John Stackhouse that has helped us keep in focus what this involves. I hope it will be helpful to you as you try to understand what Hillcrest is about. Every time I reread this description of conversion I feel like jumping up and down and shouting “Yes, yes, yes!” So take any necessary precautions before you read it! I hope it stirs your heart and fills you with longing for more and more of what God offers you and others.

“Conversion involves the whole person as one transits from one sort of existence, before knowing Christ, to walking consistently in the Spirit of Christ in every respect. Intellectually, one believes propositions one did not believe before. Morally, one has a different sense of what counts as good and evil, what one ought or ought not to do. Emotionally, one loves what one used to hate or ignore; one shuns former pleasures as toxic and wasteful. One cares about God, other people, the rest of the planet, and oneself in a way one didn’t before. Aesthetically, one finds beauty where one once saw nothing worthwhile at all, or perhaps even something repellent. Spiritually, one is sensitive and open to God, but also to the spiritual needs and gifts of other people. And one highly values the physical world, including one’s body, as God’s good creation.

Christian conversion amounts to a new outlook on everything; a new attitude toward and motivation in everything; and a new relationship toward everyone. Conversion doesn’t mean an entirely new way of life, of course, as if non-Christians know nothing of truth, goodness, and beauty, and nothing of God. But the core of one’s life is now oriented directly toward the worship and service of God in the person of Jesus Christ. Thus the Christian is, in that fundamental sense, a new person.”

Live music and free food was center stage at the sixth annual Fourth Friday Concerts in the Park series, sponsored by Hillcrest,  HyVee (91st & Metcalf), and Boy Scout Troop 284.

Due to the expected construction this summer at Franklin Park, our concerts moved for this season to the Harmon Park in Prairie Village.   

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for these concerts!  It was a great season and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2011 with your friends and neighbors back at Franklin Park!!

Back to Community Outreach

The Hillcrest Covenant Church Block Party Kit includes:

(1) Bounce House with blower, tarp and extension cord
(3) Rectangular Folding Tables and (26) Folding Chairs 
(2) Canopy Shelters
(2) 5 gallon Drink Coolers and (1) Ice Chest with wheels
(2) Washer Toss Board Games and Washers
(2) Wood Barricades and Road Closed signs
(1) Trailer and Wheel Lock

Your Group will need to provide:

People – The Kit is intended to help you create a fun atmosphere for reaching out to new friends.
Food and Drinks and grills and smokers and cookware
Plates, Cups, Napkins and Flatware
Music and Entertainment
Games and Activities
Trash containers and bags and Recycle Bins
Additional Chairs and Tables
Set-up – The bounce house and canopies require two strong people to set up and tear down. 
See additional instructions for required bounce house set-up, operation and care.

Schedule Your Event

Check the Block Party Calendar (PDF format) for kit availability
Complete the Block Party Kit Reservation Request form (PDF format) and include a refundable deposit of $75 (Make checks payable to Hillcrest Covenant with ‘block party kit’ in the memo line.)

Plan Your Event

Everything you need to get your party organized can be found in the Block Party Planner.  It includes ideas for games, activities, decorations and closing the street so the fire trucks can visit.

Please email your Party photos to: outreachinfo@hillcrestcov.org so we can post them in our gallery for all to enjoy!

Block Party- Stanford

3 Photos

Back to Community Outreach

Click here to go back to “About Hillcrest”

Job Description:

Hillcrest Covenant Church is seeking a Children’s Ministry Pastor to oversee Children’s Ministry. In filling this position, Hillcrest is looking for someone who not only brings the right ministry skills, but more importantly is interested in becoming a team player to a staff that works well together in ministering to our children and their families.

This position will report to the Executive Director in executing the ministry based on the church’s vision core values. This person will also work within the guidelines provided by the Church Council, the Children’s Ministry Elder and the Children’s Deacon Board.

The new Pastor must be willing to maintain the strong Children’s Ministry traditions at Hillcrest and bring new, innovative ministry elements to our program. We are seeking a person with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who will help lead our children to grow spiritually and will continue building an effective, vibrant Children’s Ministry.

Position Qualifications:

• Maintain a fresh and vital personal prayer and devotional life as the basis for ministry.
• Significant experience in Children’s Ministry in a local church.
• Education commensurate with position requirements.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of child development and parenting issues.
• Ongoing pursuit of spiritual, personal and educational growth.

Position Description:

The Children’s Ministry Pastor is responsible for leading, conducting and evaluating the ministry for children, birth through 6^th grade.

• Supervise Children’s Ministry staff.
• Develop and maintain an on-going ministry plan with the leadership of the Children’s Ministry.
• Oversee Preschool, Parent’s Day Out, Children’s Sunday School, MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), Sunday Morning Live, mid-week programming, nursery, children’s library and children’s mission projects.
• Enhance Sunday morning programs through dynamic curriculum, creative mediums and new learning styles and techniques.
• Plan, implement and assess special events, i.e. Lent, Advent and VBS.
• Recruit, train and support volunteer staff.
• Develop and monitor Children’s Ministry budget according to church guidelines.
• Participate as a team player with other ministry areas of the church.
• Create events that provide spiritual development for children and their families.
• Provide children and their families with correspondence and counseling in response to issues and events impacting their lives.
• Identify children and parents in need of support and coordinate with Pastor of Congregational Care to address needs and follow-up.
• Work with the Pastor of Worship and Arts to implement a creative arts program-performing arts and music for our children.

Church: Hillcrest Covenant Church
Contact: Brian Oehlert – Elder of Children Ministries
Email: cpsearch@hillcrestcov.org
Address:
Hillcrest Covenant Church
Attn: Brian Oehlert
8801 Nall Ave.
Prairie Village, KS 66207

click here to go back to “Staff Openings”