Student Pastor or Student Ministry Director

The Opportunity

Chaparral is seeking a Student Pastor or Student Ministry Director to lead and build a vibrant ministry for middle school and high school students. You will have room to bring ideas, try new approaches, build relationships throughout the community, and shape the future of student ministry at Chaparral.

This is an opportunity for someone who loves being with students, sees possibilities quickly, and knows how to turn vision into movement. The right person will bring energy into a room, build trust naturally, invite people into something meaningful, and develop a team of adults and student leaders who want to be part of what God is doing.

This role is not simply about running weekly programming. It is about creating a ministry where students are known, challenged, supported, and invited to follow Jesus with their whole lives.

We are open to shaping this as either a part‑time or full‑time position based on the candidate’s experience, capacity, and ability to contribute to the broader life of the church.

You may be a strong fit for this role if you:

• Come alive around students and enjoy entering their world
• Connect easily with new people and help others feel included
• Bring vision, initiative, creativity, and positive energy
• Are comfortable starting conversations, making invitations, and building momentum
• Can gather and inspire volunteers around a shared purpose
• Enjoy developing leaders rather than doing everything yourself
• Are willing to experiment, learn, adjust, and keep moving
• Communicate with confidence, warmth, and authenticity
• Can balance fun and meaningful relationships with thoughtful spiritual formation
• Want to build something lasting without creating an overly complicated ministry

You do not need to have every detail figured out before taking a step. You should, however, be able to bring people with you, follow through on what matters, and work collaboratively with a larger team.

• Build genuine relationships with middle school and high school students
• Create welcoming environments where students feel known, safe, and wanted
• Lead engaging weekly and seasonal gatherings that students are excited to attend and invite friends into
• Develop a visible presence in the lives of students through school activities, sporting events, performances, and community connections
• Create natural entry points for students who may be new to church or exploring faith

• Teach and communicate the life and teachings of Jesus in ways that are clear, practical, and relevant
• Help students connect faith to friendships, family, school, decisions, identity, and everyday life
• Create opportunities for Scripture, prayer, worship, conversation, service, and spiritual practices
• Develop age‑appropriate pathways that help students take meaningful next steps
• Identify, encourage, and develop student leaders

• Help students recognize that following Jesus extends beyond church gatherings
• Create opportunities for students to serve within the church and throughout the community
• Encourage students to live with compassion, courage, generosity, and peace
• Help students see their schools, teams, friendships, and neighborhoods as places where they can reflect the love of Jesus

• Recruit, invite, train, encourage, and empower adult volunteers
• Create a team culture where leaders are known, supported, and trusted with meaningful responsibility
• Match volunteers with roles that fit their strengths and personalities
• Communicate vision clearly and regularly
• Develop capable leaders who can lead groups, events, and ministry environments
• Provide appropriate training and accountability related to student safety and church policies

• Build trusting and collaborative relationships with parents
• Communicate consistently and clearly about ministry rhythms, events, and opportunities
• Provide parents with encouragement and practical tools for discipling teenagers
• Walk alongside families during important seasons, challenges, and transitions
• Help students remain connected to the wider life of Chaparral