Dear Serenity Retreat Community,
I am writing to you today, as your Board Chair, to share news on the exciting season of transition in our ministry.
You have seen it firsthand — the freedom bell ringing, the moments when someone walks out of a session lighter than when they walked in, and you've heard their heartfelt testimonies. You know what God does through Serenity Retreat. And that work is far from finished.
As Serenity Retreat grows — deepening our retreat offerings, expanding our TPM training, and extending our reach — we are prayerfully searching for our Executive Director. We trust that God has been preparing the right person for this calling, and today we are formally opening the door for them to step forward.
The Role
The Executive Director provides visionary and operational leadership to advance Serenity Retreat’s mission, vision, and values. This leader will serve as the primary ambassador of the organization — carrying the heart of Serenity by cultivating relationships with partners, overseeing operations, and ensuring the long-term spiritual and financial health of this ministry.
This is not simply a management role. It is a calling. The person who steps into this position will carry and embody the sacred, continuous work of life transformation, and we are looking for someone who understands that.
Qualifications
The Serenity Retreat Executive Director will bring:
- Demonstrated success in nonprofit leadership, program development, and organizational strategy
- Proven ability to secure and steward funding through grants, partnerships, and donor development
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- An active, vibrant, and biblically-based Christian faith, demonstrated through consistent spiritual leadership and service
- Deep alignment with Serenity Retreat’s mission and values, including familiarity with or appreciation for TPM principles and ministry practices
- A demonstrated heart for prayer and spiritual formation — someone who understands what it means to hear God’s voice and create intentional space for time with the Lord
- A commitment to honoring the dignity and God-given worth of every individual
- A desire for stable, long-term leadership, with a commitment of 3–5 years minimum
Core Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy & Donor Engagement
- Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy in partnership with the Board
- Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, sponsors, foundations, and philanthropic organizations
- Identify and pursue diverse revenue streams, including individual giving, grants, and partnerships
- Lead grant writing, submission, extensions, compliance, and forensic review efforts for historic, current, and prospective funded programs
Sustainability & Strategic Partnerships
- Design and implement sustainability initiatives to strengthen financial health and organizational impact
- Build strategic partnerships with churches, parachurch organizations, and aligned institutions
- Expand the organization’s reach through mission-aligned collaborations
Financial Leadership & Stewardship
- Partner with our Accountant to develop and manage the annual budget
- Monitor financial performance and ensure responsible stewardship of resources
- Provide regular financial reports and insights to the Board
- Align financial planning with long-term strategic priorities
Communication, Advocacy & Representation
- Serve as the primary spokesperson for Serenity Retreat
- Represent the organization at events, speaking engagements, and community forums
- Clearly communicate mission, impact, and funding needs to stakeholders
- Strengthen brand presence and community awareness
Compliance, Governance & Human Resources
- Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and ethical standards
- Oversee HR functions, including recruitment, supervision, and staff development
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and mission-driven organizational culture
- Support and engage the Board of Directors in governance and strategic decision-making
How to Express Interest
We are accepting letters of interest and resumes at the address below. Please send your materials to board@serenityretreat.com. Subject line: Executive Director Search
Please include in your letter a reflection on your faith journey, your relevant leadership experience, and your sense of calling to this kind of ministry work. A full position description is available upon request.
A Word to Our Community
We also ask you — our prayer ministers, retreat guests, supporters, and friends — to join us in prayer. Ask God to prepare the heart of the one He is calling, and to guide our discernment as a Board.
God has sustained this ministry for more than twenty-five years and He is faithful. We are walking into this season with expectation.
If this stirs something in you, or if someone immediately comes to mind — please pay attention to that and let us know.
With gratitude for your partnership in this mission,
Robert Zimmerman
Serenity Retreat Board Chair
