Student Pastor

SBC Executive Committee; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Bridge Baptist Church in Chesapeake, VA seeks a relational Student Pastor to lead a growing student ministry and rebuild trust after turnover. You will collaborate with the Family Ministry Team and Discipleship Pastor to disciple students, recruit adult leaders, and foster opportunities for worship, outreach, and spiritual growth within a Christ-centered culture.

The role emphasizes shepherding care, biblical literacy, and partnering with families to reinforce faith at home.

Qualifications

• Relational leadership and ability to disciple students.
• Experience or strong interest in youth ministry and family ministry.
• Ability to recruit and equip adult volunteers and leaders.

Responsibilities

• Develop a strategic plan for the student ministry that includes evangelism and discipleship.
• Provide guidance, direction, and counsel for those struggling emotionally and spiritually.
• Ensure that all teaching and preaching in the student ministry is based on the faithful exposition of God’s Word.
• Equip students to serve both the church body and the community.
• Oversee and coordinate with volunteer leaders to plan a program designed to lead individuals in the student ministry to a knowledge of the plan of salvation and to disciple them as they grow in their faith.
• Communicate with church leadership, staff, parents, and congregation in a timely manner utilizing available resources.
• Communicate information related to events and activities taking place within the student ministry: to students, their parents, and the church.
• Develop and implement the Student Ministry budget in alignment with the overall church budget.
• Aid in the shepherding care to the congregation (e.g., hospital visits, counseling when needed, making home visits, etc.).

Skills

Relational leadership

Discipleship

Youth ministry

Volunteer leadership

Job description

Baptist Search Partners is excited to partner with Great Bridge Baptist Church in Chesapeake, VA, to find their next Student Pastor.

About the Vision

The Student Pastor will provide visionary, relational, and spiritual leadership for the church’s ministry to middle and high school students, developing a Christ-centered ministry where students can belong, believe, grow, and discover their purpose in Christ. Working within the Family Ministry Team under the supervision of the Senior Pastor in partnership with the Discipleship Pastor, the Student Pastor will lead and evaluate programs, disciple students, recruit and equip adult leaders, and create meaningful opportunities for worship, community, service, outreach, and spiritual growth. The Student Pastor will lead with humility, wisdom, grace, and accountability, embracing change while providing stability and clear direction, with the ultimate goal of seeing students develop a genuine faith in Jesus, a strong biblical foundation, meaningful relationships, and a desire to live on mission for Christ.

About the Church

Great Bridge Baptist Church is a vibrant and active community thriving in Chesapeake, VA since 1957. The mission of Great Bridge Baptist Church is to make disciples for God’s glory. Their core values include Expository Teaching/Preaching, Fellowship, Prayer, Biblical Community, Praise/Worship, and Evangelism. Great Bridge Baptist Church is a place where people can meet Jesus, engage in life-giving community, and feel welcome. They believe in creating a space where people can have authentic encounters with Christ, discover their gifts, and use them for God’s glory.

About the Opportunity

A more detailed job description will be provided further into the interview process.

Great Bridge Baptist Church is looking for a relational Student Pastor to lead a growing ministry and help rebuild trust after a period of high turnover. With strong volunteer leadership in place, this role will be part of a shared vision within a Family Ministry that strives to have seamless handoffs between ages. Some of the top priorities will be to deepen student discipleship and biblical literacy and equip parents to reinforce faith at home.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop a strategic plan for the student ministry that includes evangelism and discipleship.
• Provide guidance, direction, and counsel for those struggling emotionally and spiritually.
• Ensure that all teaching and preaching in the student ministry is based on the faithful exposition of God’s Word.
• Equip students to serve both the church body and the community.
• Oversee and coordinate with volunteer leaders to plan a program designed to lead individuals in the student ministry to a knowledge of the plan of salvation and to disciple them as they grow in their faith.
• Communicate with church leadership, staff, parents, and congregation in a timely manner utilizing available resources.
• Communicate information related to events and activities taking place within the student ministry: to students, their parents, and the church.
• Develop and implement the Student Ministry budget in alignment with the overall church budget.
• Aid in the shepherding care to the congregation (e.g., hospital visits, counseling when needed, making home visits, etc.).

About the Community

Chesapeake, VA offers an incredible place to live, serve, and invest in the next generation. Located in the heart of Hampton Roads, Chesapeake combines the opportunities and energy of a growing city with the welcoming feel of a family-oriented community.

Chesapeake provides a unique opportunity to reach students in a growing and diverse community. The area is home to families from many different backgrounds, creating a tremendous mission field committed to reaching teenagers and their families with the Gospel.