APRIL JACKSON

Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for YoungLives across the Southeastern Division, equipping staff, volunteers, and church partners to reach and disciple pregnant and parenting adolescents with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Key Leadership Highlights:

• Strategic Expansion: Oversee ministry growth and development across six regions, guiding staff and local leaders to launch, strengthen, and sustain YoungLives areas throughout the Southeast. Led three new area restarts and increased total reach by more than 50% since 2021.
• Staff Development: Recruit, train, and supervise Area Coordinators and Regional staff, cultivating leadership pipelines and increasing capacity through coaching, mentoring, and professional development. Doubled the number of part-time staff and onboarded two YoungLives alumnae into leadership roles.
• Resource Mobilization: Designed and led divisional fundraising strategy that secured new donor partnerships and foundation support, expanding staff hours and resourcing growth initiatives across the division.
• Church & Community Partnerships: Pioneered a collaborative church partnership model for summer camp childcare, diversifying volunteer teams and reducing financial pressure on local ministries.
• Cultural Competency & Belonging: Championed diversity, equity, and belonging by equipping teams to serve multi-ethnic communities with cultural humility and Christ-centered care—resulting in a 40% increase in leaders of color.
• Program Innovation: Launched divisional initiatives such as RISE Leadership Development and NextGen Staff, creating scalable systems for leadership growth and retention.
• Data-Driven Leadership: Guided division-wide evaluation systems tracking ministry health. From 2021–2024, the division grew from:
  994 → 1,499 kids known by name
  212 → 300 club participants
  134 → 167 campaigner participants
  Demonstrating sustained growth in both reach and depth of discipleship.

Provide strategic leadership and vision for multiple areas within the region, equipping staff and volunteers to advance Young Life’s mission of introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith.

Key Leadership Highlights:

• Strategic Oversight: Lead regional ministry strategy, staffing, and growth initiatives, ensuring alignment with national objectives and organizational mission.
• Team Development: Supervise and coach Area and Divisional Coordinators, fostering high-performing, spiritually grounded teams across diverse communities.
• Organizational Growth: Drive expansion and revitalization of ministries, resulting in increased participation, leader development, and donor engagement.
• Resource & Donor Development: Partner with regional leadership to design and implement sustainable fundraising plans, securing long-term ministry health.
• Culture & Inclusion: Champion diversity and belonging initiatives, equipping leaders to create welcoming spaces that reflect the Kingdom of God.
• Collaborative Leadership: Build partnerships with churches, schools, and community organizations to extend impact and strengthen local ministry ecosystems.
• Operational Excellence: Analyze key ministry metrics to inform staffing, budgeting, and strategic decision-making.

• Recruit, train and supervise Next Gen participants
• Provide vision for training and developing curriculum in collaboration with the Next Gen Leader council of the southeastern division

• Train and supervise staff associates and volunteer leaders to ensure effective ministry and leadership development.
• Plan and lead three active clubs in the area, including two multi-ethnic clubs and one YoungLives club serving teen parents.
• Provide cross-cultural ministry training for Young Life and YoungLives leaders to foster understanding, empathy, and belonging among diverse communities.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of local social service systems and community resources to effectively refer and support families and students.
• Develop and implement strategies for expanding both the Young Life Multi-Ethnic Club and YoungLives ministry, resulting in increased participation and volunteer engagement.
• Establish and lead a subcommittee dedicated to advancing multi-ethnic ministry across the area.
• Serve as a speaker for summer and weekend camps, leadership meetings, and campaigner weekends, encouraging faith development and team unity.YoungLives

• Support, equip and encourage YoungLives coordinators and area directors
• Visit YoungLives coordinators in their area
• Provide counsel for YoungLives coordinators

• Developed a strategic plan to grow Young Life multi-ethnic club
• Identify and recruit potential volunteers
• Counsel individuals and groups concerning their spiritual, emotional, or personal need
• Identify and build relationships with potential donors
• Organize and plan fundraising events, including silent auctions, dances and clay shoots
• Plan and lead multi-ethnic club in local area

• Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts.
• Maintain case history records and prepare reports.
• Address legal issues, such as child abuse and discipline, assisting with hearings and providing testimony to inform custody arrangements.