Lead Pastor - Shirley Hills Baptist Church

Baptist Search Partners is excited to partner with Shirley Hills Baptist Church in Warner Robins, GA, to find their next Lead Pastor.

At the heart, Shirley Hills is passionate about God’s Word and desires to see lives transformed by Jesus. Their culture is built on love, authenticity, community, and relevance—where people are invited to  Love, Grow, Send.  They believe healthy things reproduce, so their mission is to multiply disciples, leaders, and groups while giving God their very best. The result is a Spirit‑led environment where people are welcomed, challenged, and changed.

For the staff, these values mean leading with faith, humility, and teamwork. They seek to serve with excellence, embrace change with joy, and invest in developing others. This shared vision keeps the team aligned and forward‑looking, ensuring that every effort points back to the gospel and God’s mission.

Begun in 1963, Shirley Hills has a 60‑year history of making disciples, preaching God’s word, influencing their community with the gospel, and using creative methods to build Christ’s church. What you find here is authenticity. They don’t apologize for standing on the truth, and they genuinely welcome all who find their way to The Hills.

In just the past few years, Shirley Hills moved to an elder‑led leadership structure, remodeled their sanctuary, transitioned to contemporary worship, and developed a member onboarding process called “The Weekender.” Shirley Hills has witnessed a significant and growing number of lives changed by the gospel, as evidenced by an increasing number of baptisms and new members who come from unchurched backgrounds.

This is a church wholly committed to kingdom building. The body of believers at The Hills is filled with vibrant energy and excitement about the future.

* A more extensive job description will be provided to candidates early in the interview process.

The Lead Pastor will fulfill the tasks and exhibit the characteristics described in Colossians 1:9‑10, Ephesians 4:11‑13, 1 Timothy 3:1‑7, and Titus 1:6‑9.

He will support the Church bylaws as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a focus in the following areas of responsibility:
Leadership, Preaching and Teaching, Shepherding, and Vision.

• Serve as a member of the Elder Board to provide leadership in shepherding the congregation, developing vision, setting ministry direction, and leading prayer for the congregation and staff.
• Provide pastoral leadership to staff and elders by ensuring their spiritual growth, equipping them for ministry, offering coaching and feedback, and fostering unity, trust, and accountability.
• Oversee staff and organizational alignment through leadership of staff meetings, participation in Elder Board and committee meetings, and ensuring effective engagement in advancing ministry vision and initiatives.

• Serve as the primary preacher for Sunday worship gatherings using a largely expository style with seasons of verse‑by‑verse and occasional topical teaching.
• Coordinate teaching passages and topics with the worship leadership team.

• Provide pastoral leadership and care by maintaining healthy relationships with staff, elders, deacons, and key leaders, and ensuring pastoral care responsibilities are fulfilled across all ministries.
• Oversee and strengthen congregational care ministries and structures through staff and lay leaders.
• Lead the way and promote disciplined spiritual growth through ministry programs and initiatives across all age groups.

• Develop, communicate, and execute church vision in partnership with the elders and staff.
• Cultivate a mission‑sending culture and develop and integrate mission strategies and partnerships with Southern Baptist and like‑minded organizations.
• Promote kingdom investment and growth through evangelism and stewardship emphases.

• Teaching
• Leadership
• Pastor/shepherd
• Communication
• Vision

• Previous experience as a Lead/Senior Pastor or primary teaching pastor

• Masters level or above in Ministry or Divinity

Shirley Hills has…