Student Ministries Pastor

Job Details

Position Title: Student Ministries Pastor
Department: Next Gen
Reports to: Executive Pastor
Location: On – Site, Highlands Ranch, CO
Position Type: Full Time, Exempt
Work Schedule: Ministry Schedule (Sunday-Thursday)
Hours may vary outside this timeframe to support ministry needs, events, or special services.
Pay Range: $68,940-$106,860 annually
Benefits: Eligible for Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, and Paid Time Off including vacation and sick leave.
Application Deadline: Open until filled

POSITION SUMMARY

The Student Ministries Pastor at Cherry Hills Community Church provides spiritual, strategic, and pastoral leadership for all aspects of ministry to students in grades 6–12 at Cherry Hills Community Church. This role oversees the vision, discipleship, teaching, and programming for both middle school and high school students, creating Christ-centered environments where students can encounter Jesus, grow in their faith, and build meaningful relationships. The Student Ministry Pastor leads a team of staff and volunteers, partners with parents, ensures alignment with CHCC’s mission and Family Ministry strategy, and upholds all safety and security protocols essential to serving minors. This role serves as the primary leader and communicator for Student Ministry and plays a key role in shaping the next generation of Christ-followers at CHCC.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide spiritual leadership, vision, and pastoral oversight for all aspects of Student Ministry (grades 6–12), ensuring a Christ-centered culture of discipleship, worship, and biblical teaching.
  
• Develop and lead a cohesive ministry strategy for middle school and high school students, creating age-appropriate environments that help students know Jesus, grow in faith, and build meaningful, lasting relationships.
  
• Serve as the primary teacher and communicator for large group gatherings, while developing and empowering additional staff and volunteer communicators to lead with clarity and biblical depth.
  
• Lead the vision, strategy, and spiritual formation of all Student Ministry programming, including Sunday services, midweek gatherings, camps, and special events, ensuring alignment with CHCC’s mission and theology, and consistent implementation of security protocols to protect students and leaders.
  
• Lead and shepherd the Student Ministry staff team, cultivating a healthy, collaborative team culture marked by spiritual maturity, trust, and shared mission.
  
• Build and sustain a thriving volunteer leadership team by recruiting, training, equipping, and encouraging adults to invest in students through relational discipleship and small group leadership.
  
• Oversee all student programming (midweek, Sundays, retreats, camps, outreach events), ensuring each environment is relational, engaging, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with CHCC’s mission and values.
  
• Shepherd students through key faith milestones and life transitions (salvation, baptism, graduation, etc.), offering presence, guidance, and pastoral care throughout their spiritual journey.
  
• Design and lead a small group strategy across middle and high school that fosters belonging, consistent relationships, and gospel-centered discipleship.
  
• Partner with parents and guardians to build trust, equip families for spiritual formation at home, and provide regular communication and care.
  
• Collaborate with the Kids Ministry Pastor and broader Next Gen team to ensure alignment across ministries, smooth transitions between age groups, and a unified approach to family discipleship.
  
• Oversee administrative elements of Student Ministry including budgets, calendars, safety protocols, and volunteer onboarding systems, ensuring excellence and organizational integrity in all operations.
  
• Stay informed on cultural, social, and developmental trends impacting students and families, and bring fresh, thoughtful approaches to ministry in a changing world.
  
• Support and participate in church-wide events and rhythms (e.g., Christmas, Easter, VBS, outreach weekends) as a key leader on the Family Ministry team.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directly supervises Student Ministry staff and key leaders, including any middle school, high school, or administrative roles
  
• Model the character, work ethic, and spiritual discipline expected of the Student Ministry staff
  
• Leads direct reports by setting clear goals, providing coaching and feedback, and fostering a healthy, Christ-centered team culture
  
• Conducts performance evaluations in partnership with HR and provides development plans for ongoing growth and accountability
  
• Approves staff schedules and time-off requests, ensuring adequate coverage and alignment with church-wide rhythms
  
• Participates in hiring processes for Student Ministry staff, including role definition, interviews, onboarding, and training in partnership with HR and Next Gen leadership
  
• Monitors attendance and engagement trends across Student Ministry programs; proactively identifies and addresses gaps to strengthen Sunday and midweek experiences
  
• Manages the Student Ministry budget in alignment with CHCC’s stewardship values, including purchases, event expenses, and resource allocation
  
• Ensures consistent implementation of safety protocols for minors, including background checks, leader-to-student ratios, required trainings, and full compliance with CHCC policies and state guidelines
  
• Maintains and manages ministry calendars, systems, and communication tools to support smooth coordination and effective planning
  
• Ensures all staff and team practices comply with CHCC’s values, policies, and applicable employment laws

SPIRITUAL EXPECTATIONS

• Model a growing relationship with Jesus that inspires students and families toward deeper faith.
  
• Shepherd students with wisdom, discernment, and compassion, pointing them consistently to Christ in both word and action.
  
• Affirm and support CHCC’s Statement of Faith and mission.
  
• Pursue personal spiritual growth through regular time in Scripture, prayer, and engagement in the life of the church.
  
• Reflect the Fruit of the Spirit in character, conduct, and relationships.
  
• Love and serve others within the church and broader community with humility and care.
  
• Foster Christ-centered relationships with staff, volunteers, and congregants.
  
• Lead by example in prayer, mentorship, and servant-hearted leadership.
  
• Uphold a servant-leader mindset consistent with a Christ-honoring workplace culture.
  
• Live out CHCC’s six staff values—exalt, praise, unity, empathy, effort, and accountability—through a spirit of humility, a commitment to excellence, and a heart to serve both God and others.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies, Christian Education, Ministry, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
  
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in church-based children’s ministry leadership, including oversight of staff, volunteers, and programming.
  
• Experience discipling children and equipping teams to lead age-appropriate, gospel-centered teaching.
  
• Experience developing and leading strategic ministry initiatives, events, and team-building efforts within a church or faith-based organization.
  
• Proven ability to manage ministry operations, including safety protocols, volunteer systems, and family engagement strategies.

QUALIFICATIONS and COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrates a mature and growing relationship with Jesus Christ and alignment with CHCC’s Statement of Faith.
  
• Proven ability to teach biblical truth in age-appropriate ways and lead others in spiritual formation.
  
• Strong leadership, communication, and relational skills, with experience supervising teams and developing volunteer leaders.
  
• Able to maintain emotional and spiritual composure in high-pressure or sensitive situations involving children and families.
  
• Brings creativity and critical thinking, offering fresh ideas and perspective while remaining aligned with CHCC’s mission and values
  
• Relationally present and approachable, able to build trust with students, parents, and volunteers
  
• Possess a valid driver’s license and maintain a clean driving record in accordance with organizational policy.
  
• Demonstrate proficiency with common office technologies, including the Microsoft Office Suite, email, printers/copiers, shared drives, and organizational software platforms; able to troubleshoot basic issues and learn new tools quickly.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams); able to utilize standard tools for documentation, communication, and task coordination.
  
• Demonstrate proficiency with common office technologies, including email, printers/copiers, shared drives, and organizational software platforms; able to troubleshoot basic issues and learn new tools quickly.
  
• Capable of managing multiple tasks and working under pressure.
  
• Available for evenings, weekends, or holidays as required.
  
• Must be located in commutable distance to Highlands Ranch, Colorado, United States
  
• Must pass a CHCC background check.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, visit chcc.org/jobs, select the appropriate position, and click “Apply Online.” You’ll be directed to our application system to complete your submission.

Salary: $68,940 - $106,860 annually

Apply Now