Job Overview

Upstream Collective is an organization committed to helping local churches send well. Upstream Sending, the missionary sending arm of the Upstream Collective, is dedicated to church-centric global missions. Our model gives local churches a signifi cant role in the sending and missions engagement process. We believe the church sends, and we are here to help.

Position Overview

The Director of Mobilization is a relational and process-oriented leader who oversees the pre-fi eld sending pathway for missionary candidates and supports mobilization efforts across the Sending Network. This role focuses on guiding individuals and churches through the early stages of the sending journey—from initial interest through appointment and deploymnet—ensuring clarity, alignment, and strong partnership between sending churches, missionary candidates, and the fi eld. In addition to primary mobilization and pre-fi eld responsibilities, this role provides secondary support and connection to the Sending Network by assisting the Sending Network Director, staying relationally connected to Sending Network churches and leaders, and helping plan and execute the annual Sending Church Gathering. The Director of Mobilization also serves as a collaborative member of the Upstream Sending leadership team, contributing to organizational health, strategy, and innovation.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Field Sending Process

• Lead and manage the pre-field sending process, guiding individuals from initial inquiry through application, assessment, appointment, and readiness for deployment.
• Meet regularly with prospective candidates to discern fit, clarify expectations, and provide personalized guidance throughout the pre-field journey.
• Coordinate assessments, development plans, and key decision points in the sending process.
• Ensure a smooth, well-communicated, and pastorally attentive pre-field process that serves both candidates and their sending churches.
• Work closely with sending church leaders to keep the local church central throughout the pre-field sending process.
• Collaborate with the operations team to execute administrative and logistical components of the pre-field process.

Mobilization

• Provide proactive support to Sending Network churches in mobilizing their members for global missions engagement. This includes regular communication with church leaders through calls, visits, coaching conversations, and through providing mobilization resources..
• Maintain strong relationships with the Field Network (the people and places where missionaries are sent) to understand personnel needs and inform mobilization efforts.
• Champion diversity in sending and mobilization efforts, working alongside the Global Church as well as African-American, Latino, South Korean, refugee, and other church communities in North America
• Travel as needed for church visits, conferences, and occasional international field engagement.

Sending Network Support (Secondary Responsibilities)

• Support the Sending Network Director as needed in advancing the vision and health of the Sending Network.
• Stay relationally connected to Sending Network churches and church leaders, fostering trust, communication, and shared mission.
• Contribute ideas and feedback to strengthen Sending Network initiatives, collaboration, and shared learning.

Strategic Leadership and Collaboration

• Serve as a member of the leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and organizational direction.
• Build partnerships with like-minded organizations and churches, sharing best practices and fostering collaboration.
• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to take on additional responsibilities as opportunities and challenges arise, reflecting an adaptive and innovative organizational culture.

Character and Competencies

• Proven missions leader with cross-cultural missionary experience and/or experience as a missions pastor.
• Exceptional relational skills with the ability to navigate complex dynamics.
• Solid organizational and process-management skills, with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to move initiatives forward from vision to execution.
• Teachable, adaptable, and comfortable working in a collaborative, innovative environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Active member of a local evangelical church, demonstrating godly character, and a deep love for Jesus.
• Maintains confidentiality and upholds the core values of Upstream Sending.

Role Details

• Full-time position (40+ hours per week).
• Support-raised role: salary and benefits are fundraised by the individual. Salary based on
• Remote work is an option. A willingness to relocate to Louisville, Kentucky is preferred but not required.