Lead Pastor

Lead Pastor, Refuge Church - Appleton, WI

Refuge Church is seeking a Lead Pastor who will faithfully shepherd, disciple, and lead our congregation with a deep love for Jesus, His Word, and His people.

We are a growing and intentionally multi-ethnic church in the heart of Appleton, Wisconsin, committed to keeping the gospel central in all we do. We desire a pastor who prioritizes relational ministry, discipleship, prayer, and spiritual care.

Our church family is longing for a shepherd/leader who will know people personally, invest deeply in relationships, and help cultivate a healthy culture of discipleship, unity, and spiritual growth.

About Refuge Church

Refuge Church exists to ignite a movement of multi-ethnic Christ-followers to Reach, Develop and Send the next generations.

Our current average Sunday attendance is approximately 125 people, with a membership of around 65. We recently completed a renovation that doubled our ministry space and positioned us well for future ministry opportunities.

Our ministries currently include:

• Sunday worship gatherings
• Children's ministry
• Youth ministry
• Men's and women's ministries
• Life groups
• Church planting and Greenhouse Environment Residencies

Refuge has also helped develop and send licensed workers to plant churches and send out international workers with the C&MA.

Our Core Values

Simply the Gospel:
We believe that the gospel of Christ is entirely applicable and relevant and therefore at the very center of all we do.

Authentic Relationships:
We, in like manner to Christ, look to show the character and priorities of Jesus in relationships even when we fall short.

Intentionally Multi-Ethnic:
The gospel transcends culture and context and because of this every tribe and tongue will proclaim the glory of God.

Multiplying Disciples:
Every gospel-centered ministry will, at its core, fulfill the call to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Crazy Generosity:
Just as God's generosity was ludicrous, ours should be equally crazy!

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking a pastor who:

• Is a shepherd/leader and discipler.
• Loves people deeply and engages relationally
• Prioritizes discipleship and spiritual formation
• Leads through humility, prayer, and presence
• Preaches and teaches Scripture faithfully and clearly
• Builds unity within the church body
• Values intentional multicultural ministry
• Equips others for ministry rather than carrying ministry alone
• Models personal spiritual maturity and dependence on Christ

Primary Responsibilities

Shepherding & Discipleship

• Provide spiritual care and shepherding for the church body
• Develop a culture of discipleship and spiritual growth
• Invest personally in mentoring and developing leaders
• Help cultivate authentic biblical community

Preaching & Teaching

• Faithfully preach and teach the Word of God
• Prepare gospel-centered sermons with practical application
• Lead the church in biblical truth and spiritual maturity

Prayer & Spiritual Leadership

• Model a life of prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit
• Lead the church spiritually with humility and wisdom
• Provide pastoral care

Leadership & Vision

• Serve as a member of the elder team and chairman of the Governing Board
• Help guide the church toward healthy growth and mission
• Support and strengthen Refuge's multi-ethnic mission and identity
• Equip the congregation to engage the community and make disciples

Desired Qualifications

• A growing and vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ
• Alignment with the theology and mission of The Alliance (C&MA)
• Be fully licensed/ordained as an official worker of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. If not already licensed with the C&MA, be willing to be licensed with the Western Great Lakes District prior to hiring and then pursue ordination.
• Demonstrate pastoral, shepherding, and discipleship gifting
• Experience…