Pastor/Director of Student Ministry - WAVA 105.1 AM/FM Salem Communications : Job Details

Summary:ThePastor / Director of Student Ministriesprovides leadership to Grace Student Ministry (GSM), cultivating a Christ-centered, engaging, and discipleship-driven environment for students in grades 6–12. This role develops and implements strategies that foster lifelong faith in Jesus and integrates students into the mission and rhythms of Grace Fellowship Church (GFC).

The ideal candidate is spiritually mature, relationally gifted, and strategically minded. The Pastor/Director is skilled in building teams, nurturing student leaders, and creating systems that support spiritual formation. This position collaborates across ministries and reports directly to the Next Gen Pastor.

Primary Position Responsibilities:

• Champion and support the vision and values of the Lead Pastor and GFC.
• Develop amd execute a comprehensive strategy for student discipleship aligned with GFC's mission and theology.
• Lead weekly youth gatherings (currently Sunday nights) that are biblically grounded, welcoming, and engaging.
• Cultivate a culture of discipleship through small groups, retreats, serving, and missions.
• Recruit, train and shepherd adult and student volunteer leaders.
• Partner with parents as primary spiritual influencers by providing communication, resources, and relational support.
• Manage student outreach, guest follow-up, and integration into GSM.
• Provide pastoral care to students and families, including during crises and key life events.
• Coordinate with Grace Kids, young adult ministry, and Next Gen Pastor to ensure seamless discipleship pathways.
• Plan and lead events, retreats, camps, and mission trips that encourage spiritual growth and community.
• Steward the student ministry budget effectively and with integrity.
• Maintain clear communication with students, parents, and leaders via digital platforms, social media, and email.
• Particpate in staff meetings and church-wide events, contributing to church unity and culture.
• Ensure safety and compliance with GFC policies for all student gatherings and programs.

Candidate Criteria

• Growing vibrant relationship with Jesus and strong Christian character.
• Embraces GFC's mission, theology, and staff values.
• Strong communicator and teacher; relationally engaging with both students and adults.
• Strategic thinker skilled in developingsystems and equipping leaders.
• Emotionally intelligent; handles sensitive issues with care and biblical wisdom.
• Culturally aware and able to communicate bib;ical truth in relevant ways.
• Technologically proficient with tools for communication, presentation, and database management.
• Team-oriented and collaborative across ministries.
• Spiritual gifts in leadership, administration, and evangelism preferred.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in ministry, theology, or directly related field.
• Ordained or pursuing ordination strongly desired.
• Minimum 3 years of student ministry staff leadership, preferably in a multi-campus church of 2000-3000+ members.
• Demostrated success in team building and volunteer leadership.
• Proven ability to lead and grow healthy teams comprised of dozens of adult volunteers

Working Hours and Conditions:

Business Hours/Exceptions

• Full-time role (40+ hours/week), including Sundays, evenings and weekends.
• Required participation in GFC's three all hands annual events: Christmas, Easter, and Fall Launch.

Working Environment

• Primarily onsite with limited remote flexibility.
• Collaborative and Christ-centered team culture.

Travel Requirements and Expectations

• Occasional overnight retreats, camps, mission trips, and conferences.
• Local travel for student and family care is expected.

Salary

Commensurate with experience and qualifications; discussed during the hiring process.

To apply,

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