
Current Structure
- Wednesday Night Ministry: 6pm-8pm Student Midweek ministry for grades 7-12 (hang time, game time, worship, message, small groups)
- Sunday Morning Studies: 10:00 & 11:30 smaller class-room style Bible Studies (offered for grades 7-12)
- Sunday Night Grade/Gender-Based Small Groups: (primarily meeting at area homes, deeper dive studies surrounding the Sunday morning subject)
- Annual Summer Camp: Annual Spring Student Collective Conference (~modern DNow)
Key Qualifications
- Spiritual Maturity: A deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ, demonstrating integrity and a growing walk with the Lord.
- Theological Alignment: Full agreement with the Baptist Faith & Message 2000.
- Education: An undergraduate degree is required; theological training is a plus.
- Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead teams, develop leaders, and manage ministry programs.
- Communication: Strong interpersonal and teaching skills, capable of connecting with students and adults alike.
- Initiative: A self-starter with strong organizational and time-management abilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Oversight: Guide the vision and direction of the student ministry in alignment with FBCW’s mission.
- Volunteer Development: Recruit, train, and mentor adult volunteers to effectively minister to students.
- Teaching & Discipleship: Regularly teach God’s Word and disciple students in their faith journey.
- Event Planning: Organize camps, retreats, mission trips, and service projects that foster spiritual growth and community.
- Pastoral Care: Provide support and guidance to students and their families.
- Collaboration: Work closely with other ministry leaders and staff, contributing to the broader mission of the church.
Challenges & Opportunity
- Volunteer Engagement: Building and maintaining a robust volunteer base requires ongoing recruitment, training, and appreciation efforts. The current team is committed, but it was stated that the team should scale for growth and leaders should be better trained to take on an even greater role within the student ministry.
- Relational Innovation: Continuously developing fresh and engaging opportunities for the students to bring unchurched friends into the fold. The ministry has lacked an evangelical edge the last few years and all are in agreement that “easy invite” events or gatherings would be a key factor to get students more confident in their outreach efforts.
- Following Success: The current Student Pastor, Andrew, is very well liked and loved AND is sticking around. He is the contemporary worship leader (and will continue in this role) but will be shifting out of Students and into the Young Adult Ministry. He looks forward to a fantastic partnership with the new Student Pastor and will look to champion his new teammate. With this said, the new leader should be a secure and confident person, knowing there will likely be comparisons made. The new Pastor will be wise to build relational equity before instituting any big changes in the ministry.
Governance & Reporting
- FBCW is elder-led in conjunction with the pastoral staff. FBCW also has a church council (elders are also members of it) for business and legal accountability. All major decisions are brought to membership for final approval.
- The Student Pastor will report directly to the Executive Pastor, Dr. Jeff Meyer.