Elevate Youth Pastor

Elevate Youth Pastor

Reports To: Co-Lead Pastors
Status: Full-Time (Exempt)
Experience Required: 3–5 years of ministry experience
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in Ministry, Theology, or a related field
Education Preferred: Master’s degree in Ministry, Theology, or a related field

Position Overview

The Youth Pastor provides pastoral leadership and direction for ministries serving students in grades 7–12 at Puyallup Nazarene Church in Puyallup, Washington. This role helps students grow as followers of Jesus through meaningful relationships, biblical teaching, shared worship, and opportunities to serve others.

Working collaboratively with the church staff, the Youth Pastor helps bring our mission to life: Encounter Jesus, Equip disciples to follow his way, and Engage the world through lives of service and mission.

Key Responsibilities

1. Pastoral Leadership and Discipleship

• Build meaningful relationships with students, offering care, guidance, and encouragement as they grow in faith.
• Create welcoming spaces where students from diverse backgrounds can belong, ask questions, and grow together.
• Provide thoughtful pastoral care as students navigate personal, social, and ethical challenges.
  Lead age-appropriate preaching, teaching, and discipleship experiences that connect faith with everyday life.

2. Teaching and Theological Formation

• Ground ministry in scripture and Wesleyan theology, communicating faith in clear and relatable ways.
• Model a growing faith through study, prayer, reflection, and accountability.
• Help students become active participants in the worship, service, and shared life of the congregation.
• Build bridges within the broader community through a ministry shaped by grace, hope, and a commitment to serving others.

3. Program Development and Oversight

• Develop and oversee youth ministry programs that support the spiritual growth and well-being of students and their families.
• Create engaging opportunities for students to deepen their relationships with Jesus, one another, the congregation, and the wider community.
• Connect discipleship with meaningful practices of worship, fellowship, and service.

4. Volunteer Leadership and Development

• Recruit, train, and support adult and student leaders for ministry.
• Recognize and encourage students as they grow in faith and take on greater responsibility.
• Build a culture of teamwork, feedback, and shared leadership, approaching challenges and conflict with humility and wisdom.

5. Family and Congregational Partnership

• Work closely with church staff and ministry leaders to support the mission and vision of the congregation.
• Partner with families by providing encouragement, resources, and practical ways to nurture faith at home.
• Help students build connections across generations and participate in the broader life of the church.
• Participate in and lead corporate worship, including preaching and other elements of worship, as assigned.

6. Administration and Stewardship

• Communicate clearly and consistently with students, families, volunteers, and church staff.
• Manage time, calendars, events, and ministry responsibilities with care and organization.
• Take initiative in developing ministry goals and practical steps to bring them to life.
• Plan and coordinate youth ministry activities with attention to detail and responsible stewardship of church resources.

Schedule and Physical Expectations

• Available to lead and participate in evening and weekend activities.
• Willing to participate in retreats, camps, and mission opportunities.
• Able to meet the physical demands of youth ministry activities, with reasonable accommodations as needed.
   

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• Cover Letter: Describe your call to ministry and connection to Wesleyan theology.
• Philosophy of Ministry: Share your approach to discipleship, pastoral leadership, and youth ministry.
• Résumé or CV
• Three Professional or Pastoral References
• Preaching or teaching sample
   

Submit your application materials here:
https://forms.gle/EJRdrQDpC9ssA56r5