MISSION
to be a safe, welcoming place where people of all abilities can be who they are and experience Christ’s redeeming love in very real and tangible ways.
VALUES
We believe that God loves us very much and sent his son Jesus to live a perfect life of love and grace on earth. We long to be a place where all of God’s children can learn to follow Jesus’ example. As we grow in faith together, we each spread Christ’s love and grace throughout our world.
Odyssey is....
a ministry that focuses on providing a safe place for people with special needs to be part of a community of believers to experience the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
Odyssey is....
a worship service looking to integrate all of God’s children. Our goal is to adapt worship for people with physical, emotional, and intellectual disabilities.
Odyssey is...
a ministry seeking to meet the on-going needs of people with special needs and their families. Odyssey is open to allowing the needs of the community to determine the direction this ministry will go.
Philosophy
everyone regardless of disability deserves to know and experience God’s love in a safe place where each individual feels heard and valued.
OUR STORY
Odyssey originally began as a traditional church plant in 2006. In 2008, a group of several men with special needs began attending the church. This church wanted them to be able to participate so they began modifying parts of the service. In 2009 the church began intentionally reaching out to agencies providing residences for people with disabilities in the Poughkeepsie, NY area. They continued to modify the weekly service so all could worship together. These special services were initially held once a month. Within two years those services were a full time ministry and had grown beyond the churches wildest dreams. Today, over 800 people have participated in an Odyssey Sunday morning service.
It is known as a compassionate church welcoming people with special needs and their families. Odyssey is all about giving a voice to the people they serve and actively recognizing their value.
Odyssey is a congregation of the Hopewell Reformed Church and part of the Reformed Church in American denomination (RCA), Reformed and always reforming according to the Word of God.
For decades Hopewell Reformed Church (HRC) has been a vital center for Christian growth in the Hudson Valley. We have brought people of all ages and backgrounds closer to the heart of Christ and His Gospel. Our study groups have drawn hundreds of people from the greater community culminating in believer baptisms in the Fishkill Creek. HRC is also a congregation with a rich history of Reformed theology and worship: reformed and ever reforming according to the Word of God.
LEADERSHIP
Rev. Doug Leonard started as the Pastor of Hopewell Reformed Church in September of 2020. He is an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America and received his MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary. Through Doug’s 33 years in ministry he has served as a pastor of two congregations and as a missionary with the Reformed Church in America in Oman (Arabian Gulf) where he led the Al Amana Centre for Muslim and Christian Relations. From there, he went on to serve as the Director of Global Mission in the Reformed Church in America. His passion for missions began in 1991 when he served as a youth mission volunteer with the RCA for two years, leading youth programs on the Omaha and Winnebago Reservations.
THE TEAM
The new Pastor at Odyssey will work directly with the Odyssey leadership team, the lead pastor, staff, church consistory (board), and members of Hopewell Reformed Church. The leadership team is made up of Pastor Doug Leonard and a a team of 8 others, 1 from the consistory at Hopewell Reformed Church. The 2 lead worship leaders have been with the church part time since the beginning. The leadership strives to be inclusive and welcomes individuals with special needs.
THE BOARD
The leadership style is Informal, collaborative, and is continually seeking God’s will for the ministry. They are flexible, creative, process oriented, and relational. They seek to create a space where everyone has a voice and holds equal weight. Their desire is of Odyssey to be an organization of collaborative decision-making, focused on what the church can be and how it can get there.
THE CHURCH TODAY
At Odyssey they believe all people are God’s children. As God’s children, we should bring the good news of Christ’s love to everyone. This is a Christian Community and a ministry of the Hopewell Reformed Church in Hopewell Jct., NY.
Odyssey seeks to be an inclusive church inviting all people with and without disabilities to worship. They do not put on a worship service FOR people with disabilities, but worship WITH them. They encourage all members to use their gifts in the community.
When you attend you will notice some accommodations provided and an atmosphere of acceptance. Odyssey believes this reflects Jesus’ attitude towards people. In worship they clap often throughout the service to show thanks for the blessing of God’s word, the beauty of the music, and to celebrate being together. If a song makes them feel like dancing, they dance!
Prayer time is a significant part of the Sunday morning experience, and is very important to the church. They are a caring community and seek to make sure they have shared all their joys and concerns. If you listen carefully during this time, you will be amazed at the passion and the number of prayers said for others.
In the Sunday service they plan to make the time accessible for all so they use visual symbols whenever possible and props for sermons. They serve communion the first Sunday of each month.
ODYSSEY IN A WEEK
Gathering
Odyssey worship includes a time of singing, prayer, and reading the Bible. Each Sunday they hear a message from one of God’s special servants. Odyssey worship starts at 10 AM every Sunday and includes a time of singing, prayer, and reading the Bible. Odyssey friends are able to participate in the worship service by using their gifts in music, sharing their artwork, reading, and in other ways.
Fun
In addition to Sunday worship, Odyssey also sponsors monthly Fun Night, Bible Studies, and mission opportunities. They believe in sharing their gifts with the local community in order to share God’s love. Odyssey Fun Night is making a craft item, playing games, having snacks, watching a movie, spending time with friends, and Christian fellowship for all who come. Fun Night is scheduled once a month at Odyssey.
Fellowship
Odyssey values time to be together. Every Odyssey gathering has time for snacks, talking and laughing together. One goal is to build friendships that care for one another. Odyssey Bible study is held once a month. Those are gatherings for learning God's Word, and engaging with scripture. In those spaces Odyssey uses visual aids and other mediums to enable people to gain clarity and provide opportunity for growth in a relationship with our Savior.
The CHALLENGE & OPPORTUNITY
Since COVID Odyssey has seen many challenges. As the church bounces back from complete shut down, the church is excited to write the next chapter. The team and church are excited for this to be a chapter of growth and connections.
Some of the challenges for this to happen are.
- Pastor Steve is retiring. Steve is a beloved pastor who has been with Odyssey for 10+ years. He is very relational, resourceful, and deeply connected to the church and the people it serves. Steve and his family have given countless hours to the church and its mission, but now is the time for the next chapter in their life. Steve will be missed, but the foundation and church he is leaving behind is healthy and poised for what is next. One big challenge is the the congregation identifies Odyssey with Steve, who is very dynamic and caring.
- Odyssey needs new ideas for growth. Post COVID has been a slow climb back for several people. With new restrictions, and agency staff shortages to prepare and transport attendees, Odyssey is asking how it can offer great care for more people. The size of the congregation is directly related to outreach to agencies, staff, and families.
- Current leadership is committed, and looking for a spark. There are several on the volunteer team who have served for 10+ years, and are seeking a fresh wind of leadership and ideas. They are looking for some from the next generation to join the team and bring a refreshed excitement and energy.
- If Odyssey wants to continue to grow and invest in the special needs community of the surrounding area, the leadership will need to create new ways to build partnerships with those in the church, those connected to the church, and others who value what Odyssey does. This team needs to fundraise around $250,000 annually.
With several challenges, there are also great opportunities.
- There is a great opportunity for connecting to people who need to be a part of this church. In the past 10 years, over 900 people have walked through the doors. Re-connecting and re-building previous relationships can open doors for people to come back.
- Finances are dependent upon donations, grants and an outreach to our local classis and regional synod. There are also several opportunities to connect with donors who may have an interest in supporting the ministry and relationships it provides.
- Family connections are a big win at Odyssey. Over the years Odyssey has seen that when a family member engages, the whole family is more engaged in church.
- The Odyssey Pastor will represent the ministry and its needs to area churches, the RCA denomination, agencies and individuals. He/she will have the opportunity to champion the church and who it serves on local, and national platforms.
- Local and international mission outreach has been an important feature of ministry for people with special needs at Odyssey. Our population is used to being the recipients of care, but rarely do they have the opportunity to serve others and when they do, they are filled with the joy of serving in Christ’s name. It is an empowering experience and deepens their faith as they follow Christ in mission. In 2013 the pastor of Odyssey brought several of our participants on a mission trip to Ensenada, Mexico to the Gabriel House of the Mexican Medical Ministries, a home for people with severe disabilities.
- Odyssey has been in partnership with Special Hope Network in Zambia since 2008 through our parent church, the Hopewell Reformed Church. Special Hope Network equips families and caregivers in Zambia to care for kids with intellectual disabilities. Special Hope Network Founders Holly and Eric Nelson speak at Hopewell Reformed Church every couple of years. Odyssey is seeking to strengthen ties with Special Hope Network in hopes of getting our communities together in the future. .
Weekly Rhythms
- Worship on Sunday mornings from 10:00 – 11:00. With set up and break down, time involved is from 8:45 – noon.
- Weekly HRC staff meetings and one-to-one meeting with lead pastor.
- Monthly evening meetings with Odyssey leadership.
- Monthly Fun Night and Bible Studies.
- Building connection to agencies, sermon prep, grant research, fundraising.
- Pastoral care – meeting congregation, visiting sick, attending some challenger sports games to meet families.
- Funerals.
The IDEAL candidate should possess:
- COMMITTMENT TO JESUS - someone whose life is JESUS CENTERED.
- CHEMISTRY - open to accommodations for the needs of the congregation.
- COMMUNICATION SKILL - strives to make sermons applicable to all ranges and styles of learning.
- CULTURAL FIT - a willing advocate for people with disabilities. Excited to worship in a warehouse setting where our congregation is comfortable.
- EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT - a highly intuitive and wise discerner who is able to listen well, while sensing how best to approach a situation and the people with which they interact.
- RESOURCEFUL - creative problem-solver who can properly balance ministry to people and development for the church.
- COMMUNITY ORIENTED - connects naturally and relationally with people and organizations. A strong dot-connector and cultivator of relationships.
First-Year Wins
LISTENING & LEARNING
- Building relationships with the leadership and staff of Odyssey.
- Connecting with each member.
- Connecting with group homes, exploring how to serve them, and remove barriers for bringing people to Odyssey.
- Meet with members living on their own, encourage them, and help them be involved in the ministry.
- Experiencing and fitting into the culture of Odyssey, Hopewell RC, and Dutchess County.
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (pathway & plan)
- Connecting with leaders and families in the church who support Odyssey.
- Building relationships with those in the community who are invested in the special needs community.
- Creating a plan for fundraising (up to $250,000/year)
LOCATION & DEMOGRAPHICS
Dutchess County delivers the beauty of the Hudson Valley, world-renowned dining, and a storied history of, visionaries, and artists. The Hudson River is a 315-mile river that flows from north to south, originating in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York and flowing southward through the Hudson Valley to the Upper New York Bay between New York City and Jersey City, eventually draining into the Atlantic Ocean at New York Harbor. The nearby Walkway Over the Hudson is a terrific way to view the river and its beautiful surroundings.
The county has 300,000 residents and is approximately 1.5 hours from New York City and all the city provides. Dutchess County used to be the silicon valley of New York with IBM and its subsidiaries, but a tech and engineering community remains. Exceptional restaurants and an active arts community can be found in Beacon, approximately 25 minutes away. The immediate community is considered to be an upper-middle-class residential community, although this demographic has shifted somewhat in recent years after IBM closed.
Many young families raise children in the area. Learn more about Dutchess County HERE and HERE.
POSITION PROFILE
ROLE
REPORTS TO: The leader will report to the lead pastor of our main church, Doug Leonard of Hopewell Reformed and to the Odyssey leadership committee.
RELATES CLOSELY WITH: The Odyssey Executive Director/Pastor is accountable to the Odyssey Leadership Team and works in close collaboration with the lead pastor, staff and congregation of HRC. PROVIDES OVERSIGHT TO: Staff Team and Volunteers
LOCATION: In the Dutchess County area.
The Odyssey Executive Director/Pastor will need to be a compassionate leader who is comfortable with people having a wide range of abilities. He/she will be able to connect and communicate with the leadership team and families supporting children or adults with special needs. The Pastor will lead a team comprised of worship leaders, musicians, parents, and others who participate in the worship services.
RESPONSIBILITIES
* Work with the Odyssey leadership team and Hopewell Reformed Church consistory and lead pastor to shape the vision for Odyssey. * Lead and coordinate pastoral care for about 100 people with special needs in the community. * Preach weekly sermons that are accessible to people with intellectual disabilities at the Odyssey worship service. * Design and lead worship experiences weekly. * Lead weekly Bible studies and prayer groups. * Organize special events throughout the year (game nights, Fun Nites, dance nights, A Night to Shine) and other studies which enhance the fellowship and spiritual growth of the community. * Serve as part of the team of staff at Hopewell Reformed Church to find ways of integrating the ministries of Odyssey with the ministries of Hopewell Reformed Church. * Lead and serve at joint mission and service projects. * Occasional joint worship. * Lead and plan events. * Coordinate fundraising and development for Odyssey, major gift, fundraising, annual campaign, fundraising events, grant writing. * Create a plan for providing consultation and support for congregations interested in starting ministries for people with special needs. Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Commitment of being an Instrument of God’s Love to all
- Refined Leadership and Communication Skills
- Strong in interpersonal, relational, and compassionate qualities.
- Experience in relaying respect and value to those with different abilities.
- Creative in providing a multi- dimensional short sermon message.
- Ability to encourage a congregation and leadership team in transition.
- Experience personally or professionally in spending time with individuals and/or families that have a member with a disability.
Skills
• An ability to connect and communicate with agencies, staff, and families supporting children or adults with special needs. • Knowledge of social media marketing.
CONTACT
Ready to take the next step?
To find out more about the Odyssey Church, please review their website www.theodysseychurch.org and learn more about their mission, vision, and values.
If after a thorough look at these documents, you sense that this would be a good match for you, please contact:
John Luzadder // 417.291.8748 // [email protected]