Student Pastor

We believe that the church is not a place but a people.  We exist to lead people who are far from God to find, live, and share life found in Jesus.  Located downtown, we are a unique multi-generational and mission-focused church with a long history in Polk County.

Because of this location, the church reaches six school districts with approximately 3000-4000 students (6th-12th grade) within a 30 min drive.

The Student Pastor will be responsible for leading the overall vision and mission of Central’s Student Ministry.  This position involves reaching and discipling middle and high school students, as well as recruiting, developing, and retaining student ministry volunteers and partnering with parents to help lead students in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.  Alongside the Senior Pastor, the Student Pastor will serve as the Team Lead to provide spiritual leadership, a strategic vision, and administrative oversight for the student ministry.  He will also assist in the overall shepherding of the congregation as part of the pastoral leadership team.

• Support the Senior Pastor in the accomplishment of the church’s mission and vision
• Create and execute a long-term, church-aligned vision for Central’s Student Ministry
• Develop a ministry of reaching, sharing, and personally discipling students
• Equip parents on cultural issues so that they can disciple their students
• Call out and develop leadership team among students
• Recruit and develop an adult leadership team of volunteers to plan and coordinate the ministry
• Be able to lead students on evangelistic mission trips locally and globally
• Coordinate planning of student worship and community opportunities
• Provide caring pastoral support and biblical counsel with students, their parents, leaders, and the full congregation
• Invest and engage relationally with students on their turf
• Create fun and meaningful opportunities for students to develop community as they connect and grow together
• Ensure safe and healthy environments within all student ministry experiences
• Work to connect and network with current administrators, teachers, and parents within our congregation
• Have the skillset to develop a pre-teen ministry working with volunteers and other Central staff
• Work with the Senior Pastor to develop a church-wide, local evangelism strategy

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the Gospel and the Bible
• Must be a leader of leaders and a team builder
• At least a bachelor degree required, with a seminary degree preferred
• 3-5 years of experience in student ministry preferred
• Gifted and called to student ministry, loves young people, and has the passion for evangelism and outreach both personally and on a ministry level
• Is an engaging teacher, with a strong biblical foundation in agreement with Central’s Statement of Faith (BFM2000)
• Able to serve among a multi-generational congregation
• Organized, prepared, punctual, proactive, and a self-starter with a positive attitude
• Possesses basic administrative skills and a personal spiritual life congruent with biblical mandates for leaders (1 Timothy 3:1-7)
• Self-motivated and able to work well with a team and without close supervision; flexible to changes in procedures and/or direction
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal and written communication skills
• Possess strong computer skills and familiarity with social media tools and their use for ministering to students

Livingston is a growing east Texas city and community.  Located one hour from downtown Houston, it sits adjacent to Lake Livingston, which is a big draw for folks moving to the area.

The area has a small town feel but is rapidly growing due to many individuals moving to the area from Houston and around the country seeking to live near the lake and/or outside of a larger city. Within a 20 min. drive of the church, there are approximately 50,000+ people. It is a mixture of both local residents and new move-ins. The community also has a lot of brokenness and broken families in need of the Gospel. Demographically, it is a predominately white community but mixed with the hispanic population being the fastest growing minority. The downtown of Livingston is currently undergoing a revitalization of sorts as businesses are being repurposed, etc.