YOUTH MINISTER Santa Clara Church

Kentucky Christian University; Eugene (OR); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Kentucky Christian University is seeking a Youth Minister to lead our student ministry. This role involves creating a warm and engaged environment for youth, leading gatherings, and fostering relationships. The right candidate will have demonstrated experience in student ministry, a strong personal Christian faith, and the ability to teach from Scripture effectively. A Bachelor's degree in theology or a related field is preferred. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the lives of teenagers in our community.

Qualifications

• Active Christian faith and church membership.
• Experience in student ministry or pastoral care.
• Ability to teach Scripture with clarity and depth.

Responsibilities

• Lead weekly youth gatherings with Bible-centered teaching.
• Build small group discipleship relationships.
• Create a culture of belonging for students.

Skills

Relational skills

Organizational skills

Biblical teaching

Volunteer recruitment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in theology or ministry

M.Div. or equivalent

Job description

OUR VISION

We are building a ministry where teenagers are not just attendees—they are adopted, discipled, and sent. This means creating a church culture where students feel genuinely known and safe, surrounded by consistent adults and families who show up, follow through, and walk alongside them over time. Youth ministry here isn’t isolated programming—it’s integrated into the life of the whole body. We’re looking for a shepherd‑leader who can teach the Bible, earn trust, and build a volunteer culture that lasts.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Youth Minister leads our student ministry with warmth, steadiness, and intentionality. This person will establish clear rhythms and a simple, repeatable framework that connects every student to caring adults—partnering closely with elders, parents, and volunteers to ensure youth ministry is never siloed, but always woven into the broader life of the congregation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Shepherding & Discipleship
• Lead weekly youth gatherings with Bible‑centered teaching
• Build one‑on‑one and small group discipleship relationships
• Pursue students relationally, not just programmatically
• Partner with parents as primary disciplers of their teens
• Create a culture of belonging where every student feels known
• Walk with students through life’s major moments and transitions

TEAM & CULTURE BUILDING

• Recruit, train, and coordinate a sustainable volunteer team
• Develop adults into consistent, caring mentors for students
• Integrate youth ministry into the whole life of the church
• Maintain clear, dependable communication
• Collaborate with elders and pastoral staff on vision and strategy
• Build simple systems that others can carry and replicate

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• Loves teenagers and sees them as image‑bearers worthy of deep investment
• Can teach the Bible faithfully and accessibly to high school students
• Is warm and relational, but also organized and systems‑minded
• Earns trust slowly and keeps it carefully—with students, parents, and staff
• Thinks about ministry in terms of culture, not just calendar
• Knows how to recruit volunteers and release responsibility well
• Is steady under pressure and doesn’t need the spotlight to thrive
• To equip young people to strive towards being believers who are of service, and to be fishers of men Ephesians 4:11–12 and Matthew 4:19

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Personal, active Christian faith and church membership
• Demonstrated experience in student ministry or pastoral care
• Ability to teach and preach from Scripture with clarity and depth
• Strong relational and organizational skills
• Alignment with our church’s theological convictions and vision within the framework of the Restoration Movement

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in theology, ministry, or related field (M.Div. or equivalent a plus)
• Experience building and leading volunteer teams
• Background in family ministry or intergenerational church models

CHARACTER PROFILE

More than credentials, we’re looking for character. The right candidate will embody:

• Shepherd‑Hearted — Loves the flock and shows up consistently
• Steady — Calm, dependable, unshaken by difficulty
• Intentional — Moves with purpose, not just activity
• Humble — Builds others rather than building a platform