Students Pastor

Great Lakes Christian College; Town and Country (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Gateway is seeking a Student Pastor to lead ministry for middle and high school students, fostering environments where students encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, and live on mission. You will provide spiritual leadership, develop adult leaders, partner with parents, and oversee programs, events, and systems that support a thriving youth ministry.

You will build a healthy volunteer culture, recruit and train volunteers, and coordinate with other ministry areas to ensure smooth transitions for

Qualifications

• Experience guiding youth in faith formation and discipleship.
• Ability to recruit, train and shepherd volunteer teams.
• Plan and oversee youth ministry programs and events.

Responsibilities

• Lead Student Discipleship: develop strategy, teach content, disciple students.
• Develop and equip student ministry leaders; train volunteers and staff.
• Build partnerships with students and parents to strengthen formation.
• Oversee student ministry environments and events, manage calendars and budgets.

Skills

Pastoral leadership

Student discipleship

Volunteer development

Event planning

Team collaboration

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Student Pastor leads Gateway’s ministry to middle and high school students by creating environments, relationships, and pathways that help students encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, belong to the church, and live on mission. This role provides spiritual leadership and pastoral care to students, equips and develops adult leaders, partners with parents, and oversees the programs, events, and systems that support a healthy and thriving student ministry.

1. LEAD STUDENT DISCIPLESHIP

This position is responsible for creating and leading a clear discipleship environment where students are known, loved, challenged, and equipped to follow Jesus.

• Provide vision and spiritual leadership for Gateway’s middle and high school ministries, developing a clear strategy for student discipleship and spiritual formation.
• Teach, develop, or resource biblically faithful content for weekly gatherings, small groups, and other student ministry environments.
• Disciple and pastor students through meaningful relationships, helping them grow in faith, discover their gifts, and take steps toward leadership, service, and mission.
• Oversee small-group and other relational environments that foster belonging, spiritual growth, worship, prayer, and community.

2. DEVELOP & EQUIP STUDENT MINISTRY LEADERS

This position is responsible for building and leading a healthy team of adults who effectively disciple and shepherd students.

• Recruit, onboard, train, and develop student ministry volunteers in alignment with Gateway’s volunteer expectations and child protection policies.
• Cultivate a healthy volunteer culture by providing ongoing coaching, encouragement, pastoral care, and opportunities for leaders to take ownership of ministry.
• Communicate Gateway’s mission, vision, values, and student ministry strategy while regularly assessing the health and effectiveness of the ministry team.
• Lead strategic gatherings throughout the year for volunteer training, appreciation, evaluation, and vision.

3. BUILD PARTNERSHIPS WITH STUDENTS & PARENTS

This position is responsible for cultivating strong relational connections between students, their families, and the broader Gateway family.

• Build meaningful relationships with students and provide appropriate pastoral care, creating a culture where students feel known, valued, and connected.
• Partner with parents through regular communication, resources, and connection opportunities that strengthen the spiritual formation of students at home and at church.
• Coordinate with Gateway Kids and Young Adult ministry areas to create healthy transitions as students move through the various stages of ministry.
• Connect students to the broader life and mission of Gateway through intergenerational relationships, worship, service, and ministry opportunities.

4. OVERSEE STUDENT MINISTRY ENVIRONMENTS & EVENTS

This position is responsible for creating and overseeing safe, excellent, and engaging environments where students can encounter Jesus and take meaningful steps of discipleship.

• Oversee weekly Sunday and Wednesday student ministry environments, ensuring that facilities, technology, resources, volunteers, and logistics are prepared for effective ministry.
• Develop and maintain an annual ministry calendar that strategically integrates weekly gatherings, retreats, conferences, camps, mission experiences, service opportunities, and other events.
• Lead the planning and execution of student ministry events, including communication, registration, logistics, transportation, volunteer coordination, and other necessary preparations.
• Manage the student ministry budget and regularly evaluate ministry environments and events to identify opportunities for improvement.

PASTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Every staff role has unique responsibilities they’re held accountable to.

• Attend all scheduled staff meetings for your role, including combined staff meetings and other meetings where you are expected to communicate major projects and events in your area.
• Be willing to assist in other aspects of Gateway’s life together as we cover the main bases of ministry together (i.e., pastoral calls, hospital visits, preaching, etc.).
• Know and communicate pertinent information to staff workers in your realm of ministry.
• Respond appropriately and promptly to communication (email, text, phone calls, etc.).
• Observe the personnel regulations as listed in the Personnel Handbook.
• Assist with other duties as assigned.
• Lead and participate in church-wide environments and events as needed.
• Partner with other pastors and ministry leaders to advance Gateway’s mission of bringing people to Jesus and Jesus to people.
• Maintain appropriate records, communication, calendars, budgets, and administrative systems necessary for effective student ministry.
• Pursue ongoing personal spiritual formation, professional development, and ministry growth.
• Lead student ministry staff team to execute strategy and goals and manage according to the Gateway Performance Improvement Pathway.