Three billion people live in a community without a church. Some may have heard the Gospel and given their lives to Christ, but they have no place to worship in community with other believers and no way to understand the Bible. Without tools to grow their faith, new Christians become discouraged and may fall away—never reaching their community with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
ICM wants to see a healthy church within walking distance of everyone in the world.
International Cooperating Ministries (ICM) is a $34 million Christian nonprofit organization partnering globally with indigenous ministries to do just that... put a healthy church within walking distance of everyone in the world. They partner with over 269 indigenous ministries in 108 countries and equip them for expanding church growth. ICM provides financial and procedural support for congregations to build their own church buildings. ICM also provides discipleship resources in over 60 languages primarily through the Foundations curriculum, a clear, systematic audio and print Bible study developed by Pastor Dick Woodward. They currently have 51 full-time and 9 part-time employees, over 75% working out of their headquarters in Coastal Virginia.
The Opportunity
ICM seeks a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to serve as a key member of ICM’s executive team, providing strategic leadership and oversight of organizational operations. The COO will work directly with the CEO to manage all aspects of the ministry to operate smoothly and in alignment with the ministry's vision, mission, strategic plan and budget. They will ensure compliance of the ministry with all governance and legal mandates. This person will oversee Finance, IT, and HR to include facility and daily operations of the ministry, as well as work to maintain a positive, Christ-centric workplace and culture.
HISTORY OF ICM
After completing a four-year Bible study curriculum (then called Mini Bible College, later Foundations: a Multiplatform Bible Curriculum) written and taught by Pastor Dick Woodward in the early 1980s, businessman Dois Rosser saw an opportunity. He wanted others to have access to the same life-changing material. In partnership with Trans World Radio, Rosser funded the translation and radio broadcast of MBC in Latin America, China and soon, India. In 1986, Rosser traveled from Hampton, Virginia, to India to evaluate the impact of the radio broadcast. There he saw the people’s desperate need for church buildings after coming to Christ through the study of the Bible in their own language. Rosser sensed a God-sized opportunity at hand.
The church building work of International Cooperating Ministries (ICM) began in India in 1986 when he provided funding to build several churches there to honor his family. Shortly after the initial work in India began, Rosser established a charitable foundation using a substantial portion of his personal wealth to fund the administrative and general expenses of the ministry. Now for twenty years his daughter and current CEO and President Janice Rosser Allen has led strategic planning, operations and development for the ministry. She has assembled a strong and effective executive team with multi-disciplinary expertise to share leadership in this global endeavor.
For more than 35 years, ICM has been partnering with indigenous ministries, equipping them with a permanent structure and Bible study materials made just for them.
And this changes everything. With these two vital resources, believers are transformed into local evangelists, and multiplying churches are planted in some of the world’s least-reached mission fields.
ICM AT A GLANCE
As an international Christian organization, the ministry’s strategy is to effectively reach the world for Christ. They equip local churches with the tools they need to grow resulting in entire nations blanketed with healthy churches. When local churches invest their own effort and resources into each project, the result is a sense of ownership, long-term sustainability, and a greater impact for every dollar given.
See ICM’s Impact around the world HERE.
CORE VALUES
Dependent Upon God: We recognize our total dependence upon the God of Scripture, who is our creator, savior, source & purpose.
Stewardship: We seek to maximize the impact of your investment by building on the existing resources of our partners.
Rooted in Prayer: We seek God’s guidance by making prayer and the Bible vital in every aspect of ICM’s work.
Accountability: We hold ourselves and our partners to the highest standards of operation and financial transparency.
Urgency of Mission: We focus on our mission and work energetically to advance God’s Kingdom in the world.
ICM upholds a Statement of Faith further outlined in the Lausanne Covenant.
CHARITY NAVIGATOR
For the ninth consecutive year, ICM has been awarded four stars by Charity Navigator, their highest possible rating.
CHURCH BUILDING
Over 3 billion people have no church within walking distance.
That’s nearly 4 in 10 people without a local church to model what it looks like to worship Jesus. In some places, persecuted believers can go their entire lives without a safe place to worship and study the Bible.
A church building changes the landscape for those persecuted believers. A church building turns a local congregation into a discipleship training hub. New believers learn about Jesus. They’re equipped to preach the Gospel. Some go on to plant new churches in areas where foreign missionaries could never reach.
Church buildings can transform communities by providing a place to feed children, empower women, and host medical clinics. In many places, a church building is the only permanent structure within hundreds of miles. ICM is the world's leading builder of church facilities.
Total Projects: 13,892
Projects Under Construction: 879
Total Countries: 110
Active Countries: 101
Approved Partners: 301
Church Plants: 32,909
YTD Church Starts: 664
DISCIPLESHIP
ICM continues to strengthen churches around the world by equipping pastors and believers with high-quality discipleship content—right in their heart language. Through a growing network of partnerships and innovative delivery methods, our content is reaching people in even the most remote corners of the world.
Total Scripture Engaged Disciples: 26,865,417
Total Audio & Video Devices Delivered (Cumulative): 788,215
Total Languages with at least one Foundations module published: 66
OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES
OPPORTUNITIES
ICM is positioned for significant mission acceleration because of recent investments in infrastructure—new headquarters in 2023 and new custom database designed to better support field work. With the addition of key staff the team is prepared to address the challenges detailed below.
The organization enters its 40th year in 2026. This will provide a time to celebrate the incredible accomplishments that the Lord has allowed through the ministry as well as draw attention to what in the mission still remains undone. Healthy churches within walking distance of everyone in the world!
CHALLENGES
As a well-established ministry entering its 40th year there is a need across the organization to provide for succession planning in leadership roles. This is exacerbated by the challenge in finding top quality leadership in Coastal Virginia geographic region. Excellent steps have been put in place by board and executive staff to establish the Senior Executive Task Force but enacted strategic hires over the next year will be important.
As always, the need to raise sufficient funds to meet the almost unlimited growth potential remains a challenge. Because of some turnover in development and marketing staff traction was slow to build in the past fundraising cycle. Key hires are now in place and the effects will be felt as the ministry begins to build greater brand awareness and national recognition. New steps in recurring giving and regional events appear promising but need to be continued and further honed for greater effectiveness.
Due to the immense complexity of managing hundreds of construction projects around the globe ICM has developed a customized database, and sophisticated business intelligence tools to guide decisions in cash flow and budget projections. Continued effort will be required to manage and improve the global operations of the ministry.
POSITION PROFILE
TITLE: Chief Operating Officer
CLASSIFICATION: Full Time/Exempt, 40 Hours Per Week
REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer
DIRECT REPORTS: Chief Financial Officer, Director of Human Resources, Chief Information Officer, Facilities, Volunteer/Intern Director
POSITION LOCATION: Newport News, VA
POSITION SUMMARY
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as a key member of ICM’s executive team (ELT), providing strategic leadership and oversight of organizational operations.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the COO ensures internal processes, programs, and resources are aligned with the organization’s mission, vision and values, along with setting and maintaining strategic goals. This role will be responsible for optimizing day-to-day operations, driving organizational performance, supporting a culture of accountability, and delivering measurable impact for the organization.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Operations Management (30%)
Oversees all day-to-day operations including facilities, security systems and document management. Develops and maintains policies, procedures, and systems to ensure operational efficiency, compliance, and a safe work environment. The COO will serve on the Executive Leadership Team (ELT).
Financial Compliance (25%)
Works closely with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Sr. Director of Finance to manage budgets, monitor financial performance, and ensure regulatory
compliance. Leads efforts to optimize resource allocation and cost-effectiveness in support of the mission. Manage cash flow, establish internal control and review, and address audit items in conjunction with the finance team.
Strategic Planning (20%)
Collaborates with the CEO and Board of Directors to develop, refine, and execute strategic plans. Translates organizational priorities into actionable operational strategies and ensures their effective implementation across departments.
Human Resources & Talent Development (15%)
Works closely with the Director of Human Resources to set human resources strategy including recruitment, onboarding, benchmarking, training, performance management, and staff development. Also supervises the volunteer and intern program and strategy. The COO will champion and model the organization’s values, cultivating a mission-driven culture of trust, collaboration, and excellence that empowers staff and aligns daily operations with ICM’s mission, vision and values. Provide for professional/leadership development on the staff, as well as ongoing training. Make provision for succession planning throughout the organization.
Risk Management & Facility Management (10%)
Serve as Staff Support to Audit Committee
Ensure that all organizational activities and operations are carried out in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and the laws governing 501c (3) nonprofit organizations.
Identify operational risks to include oversight of all insurances and development of mitigation strategies.
Oversee ongoing quality improvement initiatives and maintain high standards for service delivery.
Ensure cyber security of all organization information and systems, through the CIO.
REGULAR TASKS
Reviews all employee benefits with the HR director to help reduce turnover and stay competitive. this gets reported to the Audit and Risk Management Committee
Researches and maintains the recommended salary bands. Makes recommendations for salary changes for COL and Merit increase after annual performance reviews.
Leads the FAITH team (Finance, Admin, IT, HR) and makes sure their weekly team devotions run smoothly.
Manages the Volunteer and Internship director.
Coordinates with HR Director all of the follow up recommended by the Best Christian Workplaces survey for team development.
Submits all annual renewals for ECFA. Researches and maintains all info submitted to watchdog agencies.
Reviews all ministry contracts and recommends changes before other team members sign.
Oversees all building-related responsibilities: mortgage, maintenance, utilities contracts, building security, etc.
DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS
Character:
A passionate follower of Jesus Christ who values a vital connection to the local church both personally and for the global mission of Christ.
Possesses a passion for world missions.
A humble learner who can take direction and feedback well and has a great desire to learn.
Agreement with the ICM Statement of Faith, the Lausanne Covenant, and Staff Covenant.
Competency:
Servant Leadership.
Financial Acumen and experience overseeing financial policies and GAAP standards.
Strategic Planning.
Strong team builder and collaborative coach.
Detail-oriented and skilled at developing accountability structures and processes.
Chemistry with Culture:
A strong stewardship mentality and desire to make the best use of resources.
Ministry-minded and willing to pray for the needs of others.
Performance driven and goal oriented.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Salary: A competitive annual salary will be awarded based upon experience and credentials. Further details will be discussed in a personal interview.
Benefits: include group health insurance, paid vacations, etc. Refer to Team Member Handbook for details.
Vacation: 3-4 weeks (depending on experience/tenure).
Travel Expectations: Very limited travel. One vision trip in first two years of position.
ABOUT THE COASTAL VIRGINIA AREA
ICM’s headquarters is located in Newport News, part of the Coastal Virginia region. It is situated in the middle of the Eastern seaboard where the James, Nansemond and Elizabeth rivers pour into the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Home to 1.86 million people, the Coastal Virginia area constitutes one of the top ten largest metro areas in the Southeast United States and the second largest between Atlanta and Washington, DC. Families enjoy four distinct yet moderate seasons from the rolling farmland of Chesapeake to the living history of Colonial Williamsburg; from the vacation mecca of Virginia Beach to the thriving waterfront downtown of Norfolk. The area is steeped in 400 years of American history; with hundreds of historical sites and attractions that draw visitors from around the world each year.
The Hampton Roads area also boasts one of the largest military populations in the world, with Air Force, Army, Coast Guard and of course Navy installations in the area. The active-duty presence is estimated at over 150,000 with another 40,000 civilian employees of the Armed Forces on hand as well. Anchored by major employers and a stable industrial base, Newport News offers a business environment with real staying power. The region is home to globally significant operations such as Huntington Ingalls Industries’s Newport News Shipbuilding (the nation’s only builder/refueler of U.S. Navy aircraft carriers).
After prayerfully reviewing this information you believe this role fits you well, or if you know someone you would like to recommend, please contact:
Dr. Rich Kidd
Managing Partner
MISSION:LEADERSHIP
mobile :: (757) 642–0622
email :: rich@missionleadership.org