Church & Community Engagement Manager

At Karis Disability Services what you do matters. Since 1965, our team has come alongside people with developmental disabilities, and their families, to celebrate each person’s unique gifts as we promote communities where everybody belongs. Driven by our values which are firmly rooted in the Christian faith, together we serve more than 1,500 people each year across Ontario and Saskatchewan, supporting them wholistically - body, mind, soul and spirit. Believing each person is made in the image of God, we welcome everybody to find the personalized supports they need to thrive. Beyond Canada, our global work impacts over 300,000 people across 70 communities in six countries. Learn more about Karis Disability Services at www.karis.org.

Are you passionate about faith, inclusion, and community impact? Karis Disability Services is seeking a Church & Community Engagement Manager to strengthen relationships with churches across Canada, lead our growing Family Camp ministry, and champion belonging for people with disabilities and their families. If you're a natural relationship builder with a heart for Christian ministry and community engagement, we'd love to hear from you.

Full-Time / Permanent

Church & Community Engagement Manager

40 hours/week

The Church & Community Engagement Manager supports all Canadian locations. Therefore, the successful candidate may work out of the Waterloo office, or another community office, (depending on space availability). Karis Disability Services operates offices in Waterloo, London, Toronto, Huntsville/Sudbury, Peterborough/Durham, Ottawa, and Saskatoon).

In this new role, the Church & Community Engagement Manager provides leadership to Karis Disability Services' faith-based engagement initiatives by developing church partnerships, supporting volunteers and local leaders, coordinating Family Camp and Christian Network activities, and building pathways that strengthen communities of belonging across Canada.

Reporting to the Vice President - Engagement & Partnerships, this role works closely with internal teams, churches, Christian leaders, volunteers, families, and community partners to ensure Family Camp and Christian Network initiatives are sustainable, relationally strong, and aligned with Karis' mission and Christian identity.

The Church & Community Engagement Manager embraces the Christian Faith Foundation of the organization; ensures the Christian ethos and the Values, Vision and Mission permeate their job responsibilities; and personally, commits to the expectations as outlined in the Statement of Faith.

Key Responsibilities:

Family Camp Leadership & Development

• Lead the implementation and ongoing development of Karis' Family Camp strategy.
• Support the planning and successful delivery of Family Camp programs across Canada.
• Recruit, equip, mentor, and support Family Camp leaders, church champions, volunteers, and planning teams.
• Develop tools, resources, and best practices to ensure consistent and effective camp experiences.
• Foster meaningful connections between participants, families, churches, and community partners.
• Identify and develop relationships with camp facilities that align with accessibility, operational, and faith-based requirements.
• Collect and share stories, outcomes, and feedback that demonstrate program impact.

Christian Network & Church Engagement

• Lead church engagement and Christian Network initiatives nationally and regionally.
• Build and strengthen relationships with churches, pastors, denominational leaders, Christian schools, ministries, camps, and faith-based organizations.
• Equip staff, volunteers, and church leaders with tools that support disability inclusion and belonging.
• Coordinate learning cohorts, communities of practice, and engagement opportunities.
• Represent Karis at churches, conferences, ministry events, and community gatherings.
• Track partnerships, engagement activities, and opportunities using approved relationship management systems.

Partnerships, Collaboration & Reporting

• Serve as a key connection point between Family Camp initiatives, Christian Network activities, and the broader Engagement & Partnerships team.
• Collaborate with Communications & Marketing on storytelling, promotion, and resource development.
• Work with Fundraising to support grant applications, donor engagement, sponsorship opportunities, and impact reporting.
• Maintain systems for relationship tracking, reporting, and outcome measurement.
• Prepare reports, proposals, and strategic updates that demonstrate program impact and effectiveness.
• Identify opportunities, challenges, and resource needs and provide recommendations to leadership.

Christian Identity & Faith-Based Partnerships

• Model and uphold Karis Disability Services' Christian Faith Foundation and Statement of Faith.
• Promote disability theology, belonging-focused resources, and faith-based learning opportunities.
• Develop and steward strategic partnerships within Christian communities.
• Represent Karis with theological awareness, humility, and a commitment to the dignity and gifts of people with disabilities.

Requirements:

• Five years of progressively responsible leadership experience.
• Experience working with churches, Christian ministries, or faith-based organizations.
• Experience leading volunteers, programs, projects, or community initiatives.
• Experience promoting disability inclusion and fostering communities of belonging
• Degree or diploma in Theology, Ministry, Community Development, Disability Studies, Human Services, Leadership, or a related field.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Knowledge of Christian ministry, church engagement, disability inclusion, and belonging-centered practices.
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Frequent travel across Canada, including overnight stays.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for camps, volunteer gatherings, church engagements, and special events.
• Ability to attend and actively participate in Family Camp activities and community events.

Why Should You Apply?

• Make a meaningful impact in the lives of people with disabilities and their families.
• Help build inclusive communities of belonging across Canada.
• Collaborate with passionate, mission-driven colleagues and partners.
• Contribute to innovative faith-based initiatives that strengthen churches and communities.
• Find support through a Comprehensive Benefits Plan, 4 weeks vacation, and an Employee and Family Assistance Plan.
• Grow your leadership with mentorship, training, career development, and tuition reimbursement.
• Collaboration and Teamwork—Working together on a team, we tackle challenges, share insights, and support one another in fostering a thriving workplace culture.

Application Deadline: August 31, 2026, 9:00 am

Apply with a cover letter and résumé by9:00 am on August 31, 2026, to the attention of the Vice President of Engagement & Partnerships via the Apply Now feature.

Start Date: Early October, 2026

Hourly Range:$34.68 - $39.14

At Karis Disability Services we strive to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We remain dedicated to meeting all provincial human rights, accessibility, and employment standards. We seek to provide accessibility through all stages of the hiring process for all applicants with disabilities, consistent with our Accessibility Policies and the AODA. Please let us know if you require accommodation, and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.