This is an amazing student pastor opportunity to do Kingdom work and live in an amazing outdoor community!
Nestled at the base of the San Francisco Peaks (with its nearly 71,000 residents), Flagstaff has the charm of a small mountain town with the opportunities of a big city. Although it is rural in nature, Flagstaff is also the hub of many of the state’s major attractions, including the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Lake Powell. Northern Arizona University also calls Flagstaff “home,” the greater Phoenix area is located just two hours south.
Unlike its neighbors in the Valley of the Sun, Flagstaff is 7,000 ft. above sea level and has four distinct seasons, making it a desirable location for outdoor recreation year-round. In 2009, Kiplinger rated Flagstaff in the top 10 “Best Cities for Jobs” list, featuring areas with stable employment and the talent to create new, well-paying jobs.
Many residents of Flagstaff enjoy its slower pace, great schools, and family-friendly community. They enjoy hiking, skiing, mountain biking, and getting out and enjoying nature in some of the best weather in Arizona. In many ways, Flagstaff offers the best of Arizona with all the allure of a small town and the resources of a large community. This is an incredible ministry opportunity surrounded by the beauty of the Southwest!
Located in the mountainous region of Arizona, Grace Community Church has been helping people love God and love each other in the city of Flagstaff since 1994. This non-denominational, family-friendly, Bible-preaching church seeks to be a light in the community and the world.
Grace Community Church is a solid, well-respected church. In its 28-year history, the church has experienced effective long-term ministry under the godly leadership of Pastor Mark Smith. Pastor Mark and his wife, Laurie, moved to Flagstaff in 1994 to lead a struggling Baptist church. They gave it a new name and location and launched, what would become, one of the more prominent churches in the region. Pastor Mark’s practical Bible teaching and a strong sense of community is what draw and keep people coming to Grace.
While the heritage is strong and the message has never wavered, ministry methods at Grace continue to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of this unique Northern Arizona city. For 28 years, the church has met in the auditorium at Sinagua Middle School. An amazing team of volunteers have faithfully set up for church week in and week out. In 2019, Grace purchased 10 acres of land and began planning for a beautiful new church campus. Construction is nearing completion, and if all goes as planned, services will begin in Fall 2023.
Grace Community Church is a warm and friendly place made up of people who genuinely love each other. A strong core of volunteers embraces its mission of reaching the world by loving its neighbor with the Gospel. Practical Bible preaching has long been a priority for the church as it seeks to be known for its pursuit of the great commission and obedience to the great commandment.
The staff at Grace is gifted, humble, and committed to serving well. While hard work and effective ministry is deeply valued, it is done in a highly relational context where everyone has a voice at that table. What began with just 25 people in a school auditorium 28 years ago has grown to a church family of 400 who continue to embrace the mission of taking the message of God’s grace to the community of Flagstaff.
The Director/Pastor of Student Ministries must be a lover of God and students. His passion for students is to be directed toward their growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. He must be a leader, leading students in a Jesus-following lifestyle. He is to have a passion for the gospel. He is to have educational credentials in this area with a desire to grow in shepherding and growing a local church youth ministry. He is to able to confidently and graciously share the gospel with non-believers, of all ages. He is to fit the culture of Grace and the ministries represented and represent well within the Flagstaff community.
Key Responsibilities:
What a Strong Candidate Would Look Like: