Getting Americans Back to Work: White House, Job Clubs and Churches Join Forces

4,000-6,000 Job Clubs and Career Ministries Invited to Join National Career Ministry Collaboration and Conference

WASHINGTON, Sept, 21, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- With 150 million Americans in the workforce facing crossroads in their careers multiple times a year, wouldn't it be great if we could:

• Help them to discover and unleash their potential
   
• Teach them simple job search and career exploration process and skills
   
• Connect them directly to employers and real jobs
   
• Provide them encouragement, support and positive stimulation

Crossroads Career will combine forces with technology company NeedsMet and the U.S. Department of Labor's Job Clubs Community of Practice to extend invitations to 4,000-6,000 job clubs and career ministries across the country to join Crossroads Career Network -- starting with yesterday's announcement at the White House Forum on "Job Clubs and Career Ministries On the Front Lines of Getting Americans Back to Work." Job clubs and career ministries wanting more information should visit www.crossroadscareer.org/ministries.
"It am very exciting at the new opportunities facing Crossroads Career Network -- first the 'high-tech/high touch' partnership with an excellent and complimentary faith-based technology company, and then our relationship with the USDOL Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships," says Brian Ray, Founder of Crossroads Career Network.

Tim Krauss, Founder of NeedsMet agrees, "Being able to make such a positive difference at a time when people are hurting the most makes this opportunity with Crossroads Career and the USDOL more important than ever."

Brian Ray added, "At Crossroads Career Network, a national community of churches providing faith-based, job search and career transition resources, we have equipped over 250 churches with over 1000 ministry team members to help over nearly 30,000 people to hear and follow God's calling, explore careers and search for jobs. Serving 80+ locations in 20 states, we now find ourselves at our own crossroads:

• Partnering with a technology company who will supply all of our technology needs and best-in-class customizable career search tools and job board -- Job Connection.
   
• Providing free, faith-based career resources to any established:  
• Church or ministry
• School or college, and
• Christian counselor, coaching or consulting practice
   
• Hosting national career ministry conference open to all U.S. job clubs and career ministries"
• October 19-20 at Eastside Baptist Church in Atlanta
• Spiritual growth, leadership development, ministry training
• Speakers include Deputy Director USDOL Faith Based Center and Author of "Employed for Life."

About NeedsMet
NeedsMet focuses on creating and developing innovative technology solutions that empower organizations to support their membership, produce operational efficiency and expand their influence in the community. NeedsMet is the creator of Job Connection, Stuff Connection, ChristianJobWire.com and Bible Study Connection.

For more information, visit www.needsmet.org.
About Crossroads Career Network
Crossroads Career Network is a national, non-profit Christian ministry of member churches dedicated to providing online career, ministry and employer resources through faith-based materials. Its current career groups and resources are sponsored by 80+ member churches in 20 states.

Visit Crossroads Career Network at www.crossroadscareer.org.

Christian Newswire