Student Pastor

Slingshot Group•Broken Arrow, OK

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Ridge Christian–Coweta is seeking a Next Gen Minister to lead and grow its student ministry (6th–12th grade) while providing oversight and support to volunteer leaders in children’s ministry. This role offers a unique opportunity to step into a healthy, relational ministry with strong volunteer engagement and meaningful influence among both churched and unchurched students. The next leader will build on an established foundation while bringing clarity, discipleship depth, and vision for the future. This is an ownership role with room to grow, shape culture, and make a long-term impact. Ridge Christian–Coweta has that increasingly rare combination of health, humility, and hunger. There’s genuine trust between staff, volunteers, parents, and students — and a shared desire to grow without blowing everything up. The ministry is already welcoming, outward-facing, and relational, but it’s craving clearer vision, stronger discipleship pathways, and a leader who can bring structure without losing heart. This is also a place where a leader can take real ownership. They’re not looking for a program manager or a hype communicator — they’re looking for someone who wants to build, disciple, and stay. For the right leader, this could be both a deeply meaningful role and a place to grow into broader leadership over time. Ridge Christian–Coweta began as a satellite campus of a larger suburban church but has grown into a thriving, locally rooted congregation with a strong sense of identity. For more than seven years, Coweta has functioned as a live-preaching campus, steadily growing at a healthy pace while keeping ministry simple and relational. The church averages around 225 in weekend attendance, with approximately 50 students involved across Next Gen ministries. Ridge Christian is deeply committed to children and students, believing that growth is best celebrated when young families engage through Ridge Kids and Ridge Students. The church is known for its welcoming culture, strong volunteer involvement, and outward focus in the community — particularly in outreach and benevolence toward kids. Life in Coweta moves at a slower pace, offering a safe, family-friendly environment while remaining within easy reach of Tulsa. The church is elder-led and staff-managed, with a small but collaborative staff team that values trust, autonomy, and shared ownership. Ministry silos are discouraged, and leaders are encouraged to work together while still having freedom to lead within their areas.

Requirements

A vibrant, growing relationship with Jesus Christ
Alignment with Ridge Christian’s theology and mission
Ability to teach Scripture clearly and practically
Relational leadership style with strong emotional intelligence
Comfort leading in a small-staff, high-ownership environment
Experience working with students, volunteers, and families
Willingness to grow, learn, and lead with humility and confidence

Nice To Haves

Experience in student ministry leadership
Experience in children's ministry oversight
Proven ability to recruit and develop volunteers
Strong communication and organizational skills
A passion for discipleship and spiritual formation

Responsibilities

Lead and grow student ministry (6th–12th grade)
Provide oversight and support to volunteer leaders in children’s ministry
Build on an established foundation while bringing clarity, discipleship depth, and vision for the future
Communicate God’s truth clearly and relationally to both churched and unchurched students, helping them understand Scripture and apply it to real life
Ground the ministry in Scripture and sound theology, moving students beyond events toward lifelong discipleship
Take initiative, create momentum, and move ministry forward without needing heavy oversight or fully built systems
Provide clarity and direction, helping the church articulate where student ministry is headed and why it matters
Build sustainable ministry by recruiting, training, and empowering volunteers rather than carrying everything alone
Define what spiritual growth looks like before and after Wednesday nights, helping students take meaningful next steps toward maturity
Shape a more holistic discipleship pathway without losing the relational and invitational heart of the ministry
Establish simple systems for leader coaching, communication, and spiritual growth
Build a healthy, multiplying volunteer culture
Grow with a cohort of students over the next several years, investing deeply and watching leadership emerge
Bring greater intentionality, energy, and polish to gatherings, events, and communication
Balance structure and creativity—casting vision while keeping student ministry joyful, engaging, and relational