Director or Pastor of Student Ministry
Job Overview
Director / Pastor of Student Ministry — Grace Community Presbyterian Church Hanover County, VA (Richmond's northern suburbs) | Full-Time
Grace Community Presbyterian Church (PCA) is seeking a full-time Director or Pastor of Student Ministry to lead and grow its middle and high school ministry. The title will reflect the candidate's ordination status, and both ordained and non-ordained candidates are welcome to apply.
The ideal candidate is someone whose ministry flows from a deep personal faith — rooted in their identity as a child of God and shaped by an experience of Christ's grace. They value vulnerability, honesty, and repentance, and they resonate with Grace Community's mission of "building a home where people find belonging, rest, growth and purpose in Jesus."
In this role, the Director/Pastor will develop and implement a comprehensive discipleship strategy for students, leading volunteers and teams to bring that vision to life. Day-to-day responsibilities include one-on-one mentoring, small and large group discipleship, organizing events and retreats, and caring for both students and their families. A key emphasis is equipping students to reach their unchurched peers with the gospel.
The right candidate will have proven relational skills, experience developing student leaders, and a collaborative spirit for working alongside the Senior Pastor, Elders, Deacons, and broader church staff.
Compensation is commensurate with experience. To apply or for questions, contact Pastor Clint Dowda at [email protected] or 804-814-7433.
Job Description
Director / Pastor of Student Ministry
Title will be either Director of Student Ministry or Pastor of Student Ministry, depending on ordination status. Grace Community is open to both kinds of candidates.
Personal Characteristics and Values
- Finds his/her identity as a child of God
- Lives and ministers because he or she knows they are well-loved by Christ
- Places a high value on vulnerability, honesty and repentance
- Shares affinity with Grace Community's Mission "Building a home where people find belonging, rest, growth and purpose in Jesus."
- Exhibits a missional approach to life and ministry
Personal Gifts and Ministry Experience
- Has experience leading students toward observable growth in Christ
- Loves and connects with middle and high school students in and out of the church
- Strong relational skills and passion for people and relationships
- Can identify and train leaders
- Demonstrates a track record of successfully working on, with, and leading teams to accomplish ministry
Specific Expectations for Director of Student Ministry
- Oversee Student Ministry through implementing a comprehensive discipleship strategy that develops followers of Jesus
- Works with volunteers to envision, plan and execute the discipleship strategy
- Organize student ministry events and actively disciple in various settings (1 on 1, small groups, large groups, and retreats)
- Care for and shepherd students and their families
- Mentor students to care for and reach out to their friends who don't know Jesus through modeling, training and the formation of good ministry that helps the unchurched encounter Jesus
- Works alongside Senior Pastor, Elders, Deacons, Staff and other student ministry leaders in achieving the above goals and in coordinating the discipleship strategy across generations
About Grace Community: Grace Community Presbyterian Church, located in Richmond's northern suburbs (Hanover County), began in 2005 with 22 households and now has 300 adults, students and children. As part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), Grace continues to seek to live out its mission through corporate worship, a vibrant discipleship ministry, church planting (three former staff members have planted a church), and sharing the gospel in word and deed with others. Visit our website at gcpres.org.
Contact Pastor Clint Dowda ([email protected] or 804-814-7433) if interested or if you have questions. Compensation is commensurate with experience for this full-time position.