Lauren Cole

I am gifted in administration.  My talents are mostly in logistics and details.  This isn’t normally the profile that screams “perfect match” for an urban ministry.  However, because of our focus on systemic solutions and sustainable goals, the board has been praying for someone with my gift and skill set to join the team.  This serendipity was enthusiastically communicated to me when I approached our president, Joon Han, in response to his talk at a local justice conference a couple years ago.

He explained to me that often times when a ministry/non-profit is looking for staff or volunteers, they’re really looking for a specific slice of the population, usually along the lines of educators or social workers.  That is, people gifted in interpersonal skills, counseling and curriculum development.  He went on to say that the various systemic solutions that we’re targeting carried big challenges as we need some very different types of people with skill sets more suited to infrastructure, corporate relations, legislative advocacy and economic investments. For many reasons, folks with these skills and tendencies aren’t the type of people that normally sign up to volunteer with an urban ministry or for a summer urban project.  We’re changing that perception and have been getting enthusiastic responses from Christian professionals and college students as they realize that they can play an active role in God’s justice and mercy as opposed to the typical and limited “pray, pay or get out of the way” option they are offered.

We all know that a strong logistical leader is the “secret sauce” to the inner workings of excellent organizations, so I’m encouraged and challenged to grow into that role.  So as I lead our grant-writing team, budding community and college leaders, and solidify our operations, please join me in thanking God for this great match between the way He has made me and the urgent needs of Hope in the City.

Education: BA ? ;2006. UC San Diego (Muir College)