Student Pastor

Forest Park Baptist Church; Joplin (MO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Forest Park Church in Joplin, Missouri, is seeking a full-time Student Pastor to lead a student ministry of about 60 students. The ideal candidate will cast vision, build volunteers, and partner with parents in discipleship.

Candidates must align with complementarian and cessationist theology, be strong preachers, and provide steady leadership as students grow in faith and community impact. The role emphasizes preaching, discipleship, event planning, and collaboration with families and the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Master's degree is preferred.
• Requires 3+ years of ministry experience.
• Proven track record of growth and effectiveness

Responsibilities

• Preaching and Teaching: Serve as the primary communicator for Wednesday night student services and deliver expository sermons.
• Student Discipleship: Create a ministry environment that fosters spiritual maturity and equips students to share the gospel.
• Event and Program Management: Plan and grow all major elements of the student ministry calendar including services, groups, trips, camps, retreats, and service projects.
• Volunteer Development: Oversee recruitment, training, and continual investment in adult volunteers and interns.
• Partnering with Parents: Resource and inform parents to shape their children's faith.
• School and Community Presence: Be visible in local schools and the broader community.
• Church-wide Duties: Collaborate with church staff for major events and initiatives.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Ministry experience

Job description

1,450 Total Attendance at Joplin and Carthage Campuses

Meet Forest Park Baptist Church
At Forest Park Church, our passion is simple: helping people put Jesus first in every area of life. Whether you are exploring faith for the first time or have been following Christ for years, you’ll find a welcoming church family committed to knowing Jesus, growing in Him, and sharing His love with others. Through authentic worship, practical biblical teaching, meaningful relationships, and opportunities to serve, Forest Park seeks to help people take their next step in their spiritual journey.

As a multi-generational church with campuses in Joplin and Carthage, Missouri, Forest Park is dedicated to living out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission-loving God, loving people, and making disciples. From children’s and student ministries to small groups and outreach opportunities, there is a place for every person and every family to connect, grow, and make a difference. No matter where you are in life, Forest Park invites you to experience a community where Jesus is first and everyone is welcome.

About the Student Pastor

Forest Park Church’s Joplin campus is seeking a full-time Student Pastor to lead and grow a student ministry of approximately 60 students. The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader who can build a strong ministry culture, develop volunteers, and partner closely with parents in the discipleship of their students.

Candidates should align with the church’s complementarian and cessationist leaning theology and be gifted in biblical preaching and teaching. Above all, Forest Park is looking for a pastor who prioritizes spiritual depth and life transformation in students while providing strong leadership for the ministry.

The Student Pastor’s responsibilities include:

Core Ministry and Discipleship

Preaching and Teaching: Serve as the primary communicator for Wednesday night student services. Deliver expository, text-driven sermons that do not shy away from hard cultural issues (such as identity, sexuality, and pornography) and challenge students with deep, biblical truths.

Student Discipleship: Create a ministry environment that balances welcoming unchurched students with cultivating deep spiritual maturity. Equip students to be confident witnesses who can share the gospel and navigate life and faith after high school.

Event and Program Management: Oversee, plan, and grow all major elements of the student ministry calendar, including weekly services, small groups, mission trips, summer camps, retreats, and service projects.

Team & Parent Leadership

Volunteer Development: Since there are no official staff direct reports, the pastor is strictly responsible for overseeing, recruiting, training, and continually investing in adult volunteers and interns. The pastor must unify these volunteers around a cohesive vision.

Partnering with Parents: Operate under a "Deuteronomy 6" model by resourcing, informing, and communicating with parents to help them frame and shape their children’s spiritual development.

Community & Church Involvement

School and Community Presence: Maintain a high level of visibility and involvement in local schools and the community. This includes attending sporting events, having lunches with students, and connecting with youth outside of the church building.

Church-Wide Duties: Participate collaboratively with the broader church staff, which includes working "all hands on deck" for Tier 1 church-wide events, such as the Easter egg drop.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Student Pastor:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Master's or seminary degree is preferred
• Requires 3+ years of ministry experience
• Proven track record of growth and effectiveness

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Preaching & Teaching: Capable of delivering engaging, text-driven, expository sermons rather than just topical messages or knowledge transfers.
• Navigating Hard Cultural Truths: Must be highly equipped in apologetics and unafraid to tackle modern, difficult issues directly with biblical truth.
• Leadership & Team Building: A high-capacity "culture creator" who can cast an actionable vision and unite, recruit, and train cohesive volunteer teams around that vision.
• Administrative Systems: Must possess the organizational skills necessary to implement structure, clear communication, and purposeful planning to the calendar (noted as an especially critical need for the Joplin campus).
• Parental Partnership: Ability to operate under a "Deuteronomy 6" model, acting as a resource who equips parents with tools to help shape their children’s faith and navigate difficult topics.
• Community Presence: Highly relational and willing to build deep roots in the community. This means actively attending school sporting events, having lunches with students, and connecting outside the church building.

Personal Characteristics and Qualifications

• Theological Alignment
• Character
• Humility
• "Builder" Mentality
• Desire for Permanency

What it's like to live in Joplin, Missouri

Joplin, Missouri, offers a blend of small-city affordability, community connection, and regional accessibility. With a population of roughly 50,000 residents, Joplin serves as a commercial and healthcare hub for the Four-State Area where Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas meet. Residents enjoy a lower cost of living than many metropolitan areas, short commute times, and access to parks, trails, local restaurants, shopping, and community events throughout the year.

The city has experienced significant growth and revitalization in the years following the 2011 tornado, with investment in schools, healthcare, housing, and downtown development. Outdoor recreation is easily accessible through nearby lakes, rivers, and conservation areas, while cultural attractions such as local arts organizations, festivals, and sporting events contribute to a strong sense of community. Joplin's combination of affordability, family-friendly neighborhoods, and regional amenities makes it an attractive place for individuals and families seeking a slower pace of life without sacrificing access to essential services and opportunities.