Youth Pastor

Job Summary:

The Youth Pastor leads youth ministry at one campus for middle school and high school students. They own how that ministry runs locally — its plan inside the campus operating plan, the budget, and the Serve Team and Team Members who deliver it — while holding the church-wide standard for Youth. This role exists to build a thriving student environment that fosters discipleship, leadership development, and genuine community.

Principal Job Responsibilities:

Leads youth ministry at one campus, owning its plan within the campus operating plan

Delivers the church-wide standard for youth ministry locally, adapting the expression without changing the standard

Recruits, hires, leads, trains, develops, and provides accountability for Youth Team

Builds and stewards the Serve Team for the ministry: recruiting, training, retention, and appreciation

Owns the ministry budget for the area and spends within the approved threshold

Pastors the people the ministry reaches, through care, prayer, and presence

Participates in the cross-campus meeting for the ministry, led by the Area Leader Pastor

Reviews the measures for the ministry and makes decisions accordingly

Leads the campus's youth environments and services for middle school and high school students

Develops and delivers message content for youth services, and plans and schedules services with Youth Central

Builds healthy community through youth small groups and challenges students to grow as leaders

Builds a student lead team that involves students and empowers them as leaders

Owns the safety, security, check-in, and screening standards for youth environments

Engages parents and guardians of students and responds to their questions and concerns in a timely manner

Plans and leads camps, retreats, and youth events at the campus

Holds a ministerial license to minister, preach the gospel, and fulfill the work of serving God's kingdom, valid for the duration of pastoral ministry at Gateway Church, and carries spiritual authority within the church

Serves the congregation by officiating weddings, funerals, baby dedications, communion, and other ministry services

Is present and serving at weekend services and churchwide events as the ministry calendar requires, and is available to the congregation for pastoral care as needs arise

Teaches through biblical principles and by lifestyle example

Performs other duties as assigned.

As a member of the Gateway Church team, this position is expected to support, recruit, and develop Serve Team members, and to serve alongside the broader team as ministry and organizational needs arise.

General Skills & Qualifications:

A clear passion for Jesus and a strong biblical foundation

Clear and effective communicator with both large and small groups

Demonstrated ability to gather, develop, and deploy staff and volunteers

Strong critical thinking, and the ability to manage ambiguity and lead others through change

A heart for students and families, with the ability to connect with middle school and high school students

Able to develop and deliver message content for a student audience

Able to hold a high standard for safety, security, and screening without losing warmth

Comfortable holding others accountable with clarity and care

Demonstrated emotional and relational intelligence

Willingness and ability to engage in courageous conversations

Strong time-management skills and the ability to hold several priorities at once

Proficient in Microsoft Office and able to learn and function within new software and systems

Education/Certification(s):

Four or more years of student or youth ministry experience — required

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience — required

Licensed as a minister, or eligible to be licensed upon employment — required

Prior experience in a multisite church environment — preferred

General Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to:

Sit or stand for extended periods of time

Occasionally kneel or crouch

Frequently lift and/or move up to 10 lbs.

Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs.

Able to help set up and lead events, camps, and retreats, and available to work weekends and evenings

*This description is not all inclusive, and other duties may be assigned as necessary.

Gateway Church does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law as it applies to churches. However, Gateway Church does discriminate on the basis of religion.

Employment Requirement: Must be a member or become a member of Gateway Church upon employment.