Benefits:
Health insurance
Paid time off
Training & development
Student Pastor
We exist to love God, love people, and make disciples by helping people fulfill their role in God's story. Students are not the church of tomorrow — they are the church right now.
The Student Pastor at Severns Valley walks with sixth through twelfth graders and their families through one of the most formative seasons of life, helping them step into who God has called them to be.
This is not a role for someone learning on the job. We're looking for a seasoned shepherd — someone with proven experience leading student ministry well, anchored in the gospel, and equipped to partner deeply with parents and volunteer leaders to multiply the impact we're already seeing in students' lives.
The Opportunity
Our current student ministry is healthy and thriving. We're serving approximately 150 students in 6th–12th grade with over 20 adult volunteers and a Student Ministry Volunteer Team of 10 students. We're experiencing consistent growth and seeing real spiritual movement in our young people.
Here's where we are: Our student ministry is strong. Kids are being reached. Discipleship is happening.
Here's where we need to go: To reach more students and families, we need a pastor who can lead the whole ecosystem — not just students, but the parents who are their primary disciple-makers and the volunteers who will extend our reach. The next phase of our growth depends on scaling through intentional parent and volunteer leadership.
We're looking for someone who has already learned how to lead student ministry successfully and is ready to bring that expertise to bear on the harder work of building a sustainable, scalable, parent-and-volunteer-centered ministry.
The Role at a Glance
| Position | Full-time | Reports to | Lead Pastor | Oversees | Student Ministry Lead Team, adult volunteer leaders, student ministry interns | Serves | Approximately 150 students in 6th–12th grade and their families | Meeting Times | Sunday morning + Wednesday evening programming
What You'll Do
Our values are pursue, equip, and connect. You'll see those three running through everything we ask of this role.
Pursue — Shepherd students and their families toward Jesus
Lead by example in evangelism, discipleship, and personal walk with the Lord
Build relationships with students through consistent presence and pastoral care
Walk alongside parents as the primary disciple-makers in their children's lives — equipping them, not replacing them
Develop ministry pathways that include students with special needs and create belonging for every student who walks through our doors
Equip — Build and develop a thriving volunteer ecosystem
Identify, recruit, and develop a strong team of adult volunteer leaders who share the vision
Train and empower a Student Ministry Lead Team of student leaders in their own spiritual growth and leadership
Coach student ministry interns in their development as ministry leaders
Build a culture where volunteers feel equipped, valued, and called to something bigger than programming
Select or develop curriculum for Sunday morning, midweek, and topical studies
Connect — Build bridges between students, families, and our church family
Lead Sunday morning student ministry gatherings and weekly programming
Plan and execute outreach events, family programming, and school/campus presence
Lead summer camp, VBS, and student missions — here, near, and far
Partner with the SV staff team to maintain a consistent discipleship pathway from birth through senior adulthood
Who We're Looking For
Experience You've already learned how to do this well. We're looking for a pastor with:
At least 3–4 years of proven, hands-on experience leading 6th–12th grade student ministry — ideally showing growth in both students reached and volunteer leaders developed
Demonstrated ability to recruit, develop, and empower volunteer leaders (this is non-negotiable)
Strong track record of partnering with parents as partners in discipleship, not obstacles
Proven gifts in teaching, public communication, and one-on-one pastoral care
A seminary degree in a relevant ministry field, or comparable preparation and demonstrated excellence in ministry
We're not looking for someone figuring out if ministry is their calling. We're looking for someone who's already answered that call and has the scars and stories to prove it. Your path to this calling might have been direct, or it might have been winding — but you know who you are and what you're called to do.
Character
A committed follower of Jesus whose life and home reflect the gospel
Anchored in Scripture and evangelical, Reformed theology within the SBC tradition
A servant leader who builds people up and works well on a team
Someone who loves students and loves the adults who shepherd them
Willing and called to become a member of Severns Valley Baptist Church
Skills
Organized and self-motivated — able to plan, execute, and steward a calendar and team
Comfortable with Google Workspace, Planning Center, and other digital tools
Strong communicator — with students, parents, volunteers, and staff alike
Emotionally intelligent and relationally skilled; able to read a room and adapt
Compensation & Benefits
We believe in caring well for those who shepherd our flock. We offer:
Competitive Salary: $60,000–$75,000 depending on experience and background
Housing Allowance: Available if ordained
Health Insurance: Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance
Disability Coverage: Short and long-term disability insurance
Retirement Plan: 403(b) with 10% church contribution
Professional Development: Encouraged and funded by the church (conferences, training, resources)
Moving/Relocation Assistance: Available to help with transition
Vacation: 2–5 weeks annually depending on full-time ministry experience, plus denominational conference time
Regular Sabbath and Sabbital Opportunity: We believe in rest. You'll be encouraged to actually take your days off. Pastors are eligible for Sabbatical leave after 5 years of service at SV.
Next Steps
If the Lord is stirring something as you read this, we'd be honored to start a conversation.
Your application should include:
Resume highlighting your student ministry leadership experience and volunteer development wins
Personal testimony and doctrinal statement (1–2 pages)
Your philosophy of student ministry and how you partner with parents and develop volunteers (1–2 pages)
Three professional references (ideally: one current or former supervisor, one ministry peer, one character reference from outside your ministry setting)
How to Apply:
Apply: sv.apscareerportal.com/jobs/3384898
We look forward to hearing from you.
Severns Valley Baptist Church 1100 Ring Road | Elizabethtown, KY 42701 (270) 765-7822 | info@sv.church | sv.church