THE UNION CHURCH STORY
Pastor Stephen Chandler dreamed of planting a church with a simple goal: helping people connect with God so that they might fulfill their destiny—with Jeremiah 29:11 as the foundational source of that mission. This dream was birthed out of New Life International Fellowship, chosen by Pastor Stephen’s father, Pastor Ron Chandler. With the help of the Dream Team – servant leaders committed to seeing this dream become a reality – Destiny Harvest Church became real on December 11, 2011.
From 2011 to 2014, thousands encountered Christ like never before, and the church grew from one location in Woodawn, Maryland, to two locations with the addition of the Laurel, Maryland campus. Through prayer, in September 2015, Destiny Church moved to Columbia, Maryland, merging both campuses back together and becoming a portable church for three years.
In February 2018, Destiny Harvest Church moved into its permanent location in Columbia, Maryland, and underwent a brand refresh, changing its name to Destiny Church. Over the next year, attendance increased from around 700 people on a Sunday – with about 300 people participating in SS Connect groups and 300 people serving on the Dream Team – to over 3,000 people in attendance on a Sunday. Connect Groups grew to over 1,700 participants, and more than 800 people served on the Dream Team. This remarkable growth happened within just three years, making Destiny one of the fastest-growing churches in America, according to Outreach magazine.
In February 2020, after prayer and guidance, the Baltimore County, Maryland, location was launched, with nearly a thousand people attending its first weekend. Now renamed and known as Union Church, they are one church in eight locations.
At Union Church, they believe church should be a place where everyone can Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, and Make a Difference. Throughout the past decade, Union Church has faithfully fulfilled its mission through Weekend Experiences, Growth Track, Dream Team, and Connect Groups.
UNION CHURCH MISSION
MISSION: Union Church exists to help people know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and make a difference.
JOB SUMMARY
The Executive Pastor of Experience at Union Church is pivotal in overseeing worship, production, creativity, and media across multiple campuses. Additionally, this position will spearhead the development and launch of original music, which includes managing the production of albums and recordings. The Executive Pastor of Experience ensures operational excellence, fosters a culture of creativity, and helps elevate the church’s impact through innovative worship experiences and strategic media initiatives. The ideal candidate will be an emotionally intelligent, resilient leader with a proven track record of managing large teams and complex projects.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide strategic oversight for worship, production, creative, media, and event teams across all Union Church campuses
- Lead the development and launch of original music, managing music production, album releases, etc
- Ensure smooth operational flow for major church events, maintaining high standards of excellence and creative impact
- Build and develop teams, fostering a collaborative and innovative culture within the church
- Collaborate with executive leadership to shape the future of Union Church’s worship and creative endeavors, ensuring alignment with its core values and mission
CANDIDATE COMPETENCIES
- Strategic Leadership: Experience overseeing multi-campus operations and developing ministry initiatives that align with the church’s vision
- Creative Oversight: Proficient in managing worship, creative arts, media production, and events with a strong emphasis on excellence and innovation
- Emotional Intelligence: Capable of managing stress and leadership pressures while maintaining strong interpersonal relationships with staff and volunteers
- Team Collaboration: A team player who values collaboration and empowers others to succeed
- Cross-Cultural Competency: Preference for candidates who understand and align with Union Church’s unique musical and cultural expressions
- Spiritual Health: A deep personal faith, committed to personal growth and alignment with Union Church’s mission to unite people with their purpose
COLUMBIA, MD
Columbia, Maryland is a part of the DMV, The Washington Metropolitan Area includes the whole District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. 30 minutes from DC and Baltimore, Columbia is uniquely positioned with rolling hills of farms in one direction, a waterfront restaurant on the Chesapeake Bay in another direction, and bustling city streets with major sporting events still in another direction. Within the area and its surrounding cities, there are many exciting and interesting attractions to keep you engaged. It’s a family-centered community amid the fastness of the East Coast life. Columbia is known for its attractions such as several Historic Landmarks and National museums, as well as amazing food, specifically seafood. Homes range from high-rise living to townhomes and single-family dwellings. It’s the perfect place to get a taste of city excitement.