Meet Samaritan Ministries of Hot Springs, Inc.

Since 2007, Samaritan Ministries of Hot Springs has stood as a beacon of hope, restoration, and Christ-centered compassion for homeless men throughout the region. Driven by the belief that every individual has God-given purpose, the ministry provides far more than emergency shelter—it delivers a genuine "hand up, not a hand out". From welcoming guests into a safe, comfortable 28-bed overnight facility complete with hot meals, clean clothing, and nightly Chapel services, the mission meets men at their point of greatest physical and spiritual need. Proudly operating completely debt-free and supported entirely through the generosity of private donors, local churches, organizations, and foundational grants and dedicated volunteers rather than government funding, Samaritan Ministries has already spoken into the lives of well over 4,000 men seeking a fresh start.

The true heartbeat of the ministry lies in long-term, lasting renewal through its structured 10-Month Faith-Based New Hope Resident Program. This intensive initiative empowers men to overcome the root causes of homelessness and addiction through biblical discipleship, life-skills training, and hands-on vocational development in the on-site woodshop. What makes the community at Samaritan Ministries truly extraordinary is that the journey is led by those who have walked it firsthand—the majority of the staff are program graduates themselves, serving as living proof of redemption and personal transformation. By nurturing healing from the inside out, Samaritan Ministries of Hot Springs continues to break destructive cycles, restore dignity, and equip men to return to their communities as self-supporting, productive servants of God.

About the Executive Director

Samaritan Ministries of Hot Springs, a faith-based Christian ministry serving homeless men in Hot Springs, Arkansas since 2007, seeks a devoted, visionary Executive Director to succeed its retiring founder and lead the organization into its next chapter of community impact. Operating entirely debt-free and independently of government funding, the ministry provides emergency overnight shelter (28 beds), daily meals, clothing, showers and transformative spiritual restoration through its structured 10-month New Hope Resident Program and on-site vocational woodshop. As the primary spiritual shepherd and executive leader, you will oversee day-to-day campus operations, champion the ministry’s Christ-centered mission, and foster an authentic, relational culture alongside a dedicated team—the majority of whom are program graduates living out their personal redemption.

The ideal candidate is an approachable, biblically grounded servant leader with proven administrative acumen, nonprofit management experience, and a heart for relational ministry. Key responsibilities include cultivating individual and church donor partnerships to expand the financial base, managing organizational stewardship across a $416,000 budget, guiding staff and resident discipleship, and representing the mission throughout the greater Hot Springs civic and faith communities. Qualified applicants must demonstrate active Christian faith in alignment with the ministry’s Statement of Faith, strong communication skills, and the capacity to balance compassionate ministry with operational accountability. 

The Executive Director's responsibilities include:

Spiritual Leadership & Ministry Culture:

• Serve as the chief spiritual shepherd for the ministry, overseeing daily chapel services, coordinating regular devotionals with staff, and modeling a vibrant Christ-centered walk.
• Uphold and preserve the ministry’s foundational philosophy of offering a "hand up, not a hand out", keeping the Gospel central to all programs.
• Walk alongside residents and overnight guests with pastoral care, grace, and personal accountability.

Staff Leadership & Pastoral Mentorship:

• Supervise, mentor, and support staff.
• Foster a relational, team-oriented culture built on mutual trust, servant leadership, and open communication rather than top-down management.
• Facilitate staff development, scheduling, and conflict resolution across daytime operations, kitchen services, maintenance, and night shifts.

Operational & Program Oversight:

• Oversee day-to-day campus operations, including the 28-bed emergency overnight shelter and the structured 12-bed 10-month New Hope Resident Program.
• Ensure strict adherence to campus safety, clean-and-sober intake guidelines, and chore routines.
• Supervise auxiliary operations, including the vocational woodshop and on-site leased rental properties (commercial spaces and transitional apartments).
• Thoughtfully evaluate and implement operational upgrades (e.g., donor management tools, security protocols, and post-graduation tracking) at a pace the team can comfortably absorb.

Fundraising, Donor Relations & Community Ambassadorship:

• Champion the ministry’s private-donor model, actively engaging individual donors, local business partners, organizations, foundation grants and area churches to broaden the support base.
• Maintain and enhance personal, story-driven donor communications, newsletters, and appeal letters.
• Represent the ministry publicly at civic functions, church services, and ministerial associations throughout Hot Springs and the surrounding region.

Fiscal Stewardship & Board Governance:

• Oversee campus financial procedures, bookkeeping, and periodic audits alongside administrative staff.
• Report directly to the Board of Trustees, collaborating on strategic planning, long-term vision, and organizational policies.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Executive Director:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Ministry, Biblical Studies, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Human Services, or a related field (or equivalent substantial ministry/executive leadership experience) is strongly preferred.
• Proven leadership experience in a rescue mission, faith-based residential recovery center, church, or Christian nonprofit organization.
• Demonstrated success in nonprofit fundraising, donor stewardship, and church partnership cultivation.
• Track record of managing budgets, facilities, and diverse teams, with specific experience leading or mentoring individuals from backgrounds of trauma, incarceration, or addiction recovery.
• Experience working collaboratively with a nonprofit Board and managing founder transitions is highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge:Sound biblical doctrine and commitment to core Protestant Christian beliefs, aligning with the ministry’s Statement of Faith.
• Deep understanding of the root causes of homelessness, addiction, and poverty, alongside effective recovery and discipleship models.
• Working knowledge of nonprofit financial management, facility operations, and board governance principles.
• Skills:Relational Leadership: Exceptional emotional intelligence, active listening, and approachable interpersonal skills, with the ability to bridge street-level needs and high-level donor engagement.
• Communication: Compelling public speaking and pulpit presentation skills, combined with effective written communication for newsletters, donor appeals, and reports.
• Conflict Management & Counseling: Ability to navigate crisis situations, defuse tension, and provide biblically based guidance and accountability.
• Administrative Acumen: Solid organizational, problem-solving, and workflow-management capabilities.
• Abilities:Ability to balance deep compassion with firm boundaries, structure, and operational discernment.
• Ability to honor and preserve the founders’ legacy while leading the ministry into its next chapter of growth.
• Ability to reside on campus in provided ministry housing and respond to facility or operational emergencies as needed.
• Personal commitment to Christian integrity, and moral purity.

What it's like to live in Hot Springs, Arkansas

Living in Hot Springs, Arkansas, means having a national park right in your backyard. Hot Springs National Park blends seamlessly into the city’s downtown, allowing residents to walk straight from coffee shops and art galleries onto forested mountain trails or right up to the historic mineral baths of Bathhouse Row. Beyond the thermal springs, the region is an outdoor enthusiast's haven framed by the Ouachita Mountains and three major lakes—Lake Hamilton, Lake Catherine, and Lake Ouachita. Whether it is kayaking crystal-clear mountain water, bass fishing, mountain biking the Northwoods Trails, or boating on weekends, outdoor recreation is an effortless part of daily life rather than a rare vacation treat.

The city pairs this natural setting with an exceptionally affordable cost of living. Housing costs consistently track well below the national average, making homeownership accessible whether you are seeking a starter home, a historic property, or a lakeside retreat. Day-to-day essentials, and property taxes, are also modest compared to major metropolitan centers, providing families, young professionals, and retirees with financial flexibility and peace of mind. This affordability allows residents to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle and invest more of their income into leisure, travel, and savings.

Hot Springs also punches well above its weight when it comes to culture, history, and community vitality. The downtown district carries a storied past—from Gilded Age spa culture to colorful 1930s mobster lore—now reflected in farm-to-table dining, music festivals, and a thriving arts scene. Botanical destinations like Garvan Woodland Gardens offer peaceful weekend strolls. Combined with a welcoming small-city atmosphere and an easy one-hour drive to Little Rock, Hot Springs delivers a rare balance of scenic relaxation and active entertainment.