Challenges and Opportunity
- Calming Leadership Waters: The previous Student Pastor was loved and appreciated, but stepped down to focus on his marriage and family. Cornerstone handled this transition with integrity and discretion, protecting the people involved while leading the church with honesty. For most students, the page has already turned and there’s genuine excitement about what’s next. Still, a few families and leaders are processing the loss and need steady shepherding through this season. The next Student Pastor will have the opportunity to step in with a calm presence, build trust, and bring healthy momentum for what God has ahead.
- Growing with the Community: Cornerstone is uniquely positioned across the street from the local high school, and nearly half of the students who attend midweek gatherings come from unchurched families. This creates a remarkable opportunity to reach students who might never otherwise step into a church. The Student Pastor will get to shape a ministry that not only impacts teens but also helps connect their families to the life of Cornerstone. This role carries incredible evangelistic potential in a community hungry for hope.
- Balancing Fun and Depth: With so many students coming from unchurched backgrounds, there’s a need for a ministry that is both engaging and deeply rooted. Students may not yet know the rhythms of the Christian faith, so the ministry must remain accessible and welcoming, while also moving students toward meaningful discipleship. The right leader will know how to hold this tension—creating environments that are attractive enough to draw in unchurched students and rich enough to form lifelong followers of Jesus.
- Partnering with Parents: Many of the students walking into Cornerstone’s ministry come from homes where faith is brand new. For others, their parents are already actively discipling them. The Student Pastor will play a critical role in equipping both groups of parents—encouraging faithful parents in their role as primary disciplers, while also helping unchurched families take first steps into faith. This is one of the greatest opportunities for Cornerstone’s future: as students meet Jesus, whole families can be reached and drawn into the life of the church.
Leadership
- Cornerstone is led by Lead Pastor Darrell Reneau, a steady and faithful shepherd with a deep love for God’s Word and for people. His leadership is marked by humility and a collaborative spirit, creating an environment where staff can bring their gifts and ideas to the table.
- The Student Pastor will report directly to Executive Pastor Zac Drummond, who brings a unique blend of corporate-world experience and long-time lay leadership. Zac is humble, sharp-minded, and detail-oriented, with a genuine heart to serve both staff and congregation. Both Darrell and Zac lead with humility and integrity, creating a culture where the staff functions more like family than just co-workers—unified around the mission of making disciples.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee middle and high school ministries, including weekly gatherings, discipleship environments, and outreach opportunities.
- Recruit, develop, and empower a team of adult and student leaders to share ownership of the ministry.
- Teach God’s Word with clarity, helping students apply it to their everyday lives.
- Partner with parents as the primary spiritual leaders of their students.
- Shepherd students and families with spiritual guidance, care, and prayer.
- Collaborate with the broader staff team to ensure alignment with Cornerstone’s mission and culture.
- Create environments that are welcoming, fun, and spiritually impactful, where students invite friends and grow in faith.
Key Qualifications
- A growing relationship with Jesus Christ and a clear calling to student ministry.
- Proven experience leading in student ministry, with ability to teach, disciple, and shepherd middle and high school students.
- Demonstrated ability to recruit, equip, and empower adult and student leaders.
- Strong biblical and theological foundation, with the ability to communicate truth in ways students can understand and apply.
- Relational and approachable, with a heart for partnering with parents and engaging the wider church family.
- A self-starter who is organized, proactive, and able to design and execute ministry strategies.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred (Bible, ministry, or related field), but not required if calling and experience are clear.