Correctional Pastor- Orange County, FL

Location: Orange County, FL

Position: Lead Chaplain (Full-time Male)

Vision: 

To disrupt the cycle of darkness and despair for all who are behind bars and their families by advancing the Gospel. 

Our Mission: 

To build and equip an alliance of passionate believers who boldly bring the light, life, and love of Jesus to the correctional communities of the world. 

Job Overview 

The Lead Chaplain is a visionary spiritual leader who inspires, equips, and guides chaplains and volunteers to bring transformative ministry within correctional facilities. This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on pastoral care, ensuring all ministry efforts reflect the mission and values of Good News Global. 

Serving as both shepherd and strategist, the Lead Chaplain empowers others in their calling, strengthens partnerships, and fosters a culture of compassion, unity, and resilience. 

The Lead Chaplain will dedicate 30–40% of their time to fundraising and donor engagement, cultivating partnerships and resources to sustain and expand ministry impact. Experience in this area is essential. 

Key Responsibilities 

1. Leadership & Development 

• Inspire, equip, and guide chaplains and volunteers to serve with vision, excellence, and unity. 
• Oversee training, growth, and evaluation to ensure effective, mission-aligned ministry. 

2. Spiritual & Emotional Care 

• Provide Christ-centered pastoral care, counseling, and discipleship to inmates, staff, and families. 
• Model compassion and resilience while empowering others to minister effectively. 

3. Strategic & Organizational Growth 

• Partner with leadership to strengthen, expand, and sustain ministry impact. 
• Build strategic partnerships and evaluate programs for continued effectiveness. 

4. Collaboration & Partnerships 

• Cultivate strong relationships with facility leaders and interdisciplinary teams for holistic care. 
• Represent Good News Global with professionalism, integrity, and grace in all settings. 

5. Administration & Worship Leadership 

• Manage records, reporting, and compliance with excellence and accountability. 
• Lead worship services, Bible studies, and key ceremonies within the correctional community. 

Required Skills and Qualifications 

• Visionary Leadership & Strategic Thinking: Proven ability to inspire, empower, and guide teams while developing and executing ministry strategies that expand impact and influence. 
• Relational & Emotional Intelligence: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust, foster collaboration, and offer Christ-centered care in diverse and challenging environments. 
• Organizational & Ministry Excellence: Strong administrative and time management skills; resilient, adaptable, and knowledgeable in chaplaincy ethics, spiritual care, and correctional ministry. 

Professional Qualifications 

The chaplain candidate should demonstrate the following specific experience and credentials: 

• Master’s Degree from a regionally accredited seminary (preferred) 
• Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited Bible/Christian college with major/emphasis in Bible or Theology; OR 
• Bachelor’s Degree with an additional 30 hours of Bible from a regionally accredited university/seminary, AND ministry experience demonstrating theological competency/equivalence 
• Ordained, licensed, or commissioned by a local church/denomination 
• Prior experience in correctional chaplaincy 
• Proven experience in fundraising, donor relations, and resource development to support and expand ministry initiatives 
• Proven record of effective team leadership, strategic ministry development, and vision execution 
• Demonstrated experience in evangelism, discipleship, and teaching 
• Agreement with Good News Global Doctrinal Statement 
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus 

Personal Qualifications 

The chaplain candidate should demonstrate the following knowledge and skills: 

• Ability to think, function, and minister in accordance with biblical standards 
• Experience in ministry program development and leadership 
• Strong interpersonal communication, both verbal and written 
• Ability to identify and develop human, financial, and material resources for ministry growth 
• Capacity to build partnerships and connect with community and church leaders 
• General fiscal management skills 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (or similar programs) 
• Personal finances in good order

Founded in 1961, Good News Global is a Christian outreach that provides chaplains, volunteers, counseling, and educational programs to jails and prisons in 21 US states and 24 countries or territories worldwide. Good News believes that each one of the 9.6 million (2.3 million US) people incarcerated in the world today represents a broken life and a family in pain. Yet they also embody amazing opportunities for hope, healing, hearts to be made whole, and lives to be given to Christ. When this happens, the transformational changes that result are carried forward exponentially and experienced eternally.

In the United States over 7.2 million Americans are on probation, in jail or prison, or on parole. That’s approximately 1 in every 32 adults. Most of the people behind bars are not there for life. 95% of the men and women in our jails and prisons right now will be back in society.

Good News Global is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, fully funded through gifts and donations from businesses, churches, foundations, and individuals committed to seeing lives and families restored and patterns of generational violence broken forever.