Challenges and Opportunity
- Clarifying Discipleship Pathways: Ridge Students currently has a strong and welcoming Wednesday-night gathering that attracts both churched and unchurched students, but discipleship beyond that environment is still forming. There is a clear opportunity to define what spiritual growth looks like before and after Wednesday nights, helping students take meaningful next steps toward maturity. The next leader will help shape a more holistic discipleship pathway without losing the relational and invitational heart of the ministry.
- Leader Development and Expansion: Ridge Christian is rich in willing volunteers who care deeply about students, but many have received little formal training or development. This creates a strong opportunity to establish simple systems for leader coaching, communication, and spiritual growth. A leader who enjoys empowering others will find fertile ground to build a healthy, multiplying volunteer culture.
- Strong Student Leadership to Build On: The student ministry currently has a particularly strong group of sophomores and juniors, along with solid middle school participation. This provides a rare opportunity for a leader to grow with a cohort of students over the next several years, investing deeply and watching leadership emerge. With intentional discipleship, this group could become a catalytic force for the future of Ridge Students.
- Vision, Direction, and Creative Momentum: Students and leaders alike are hungry for clearer vision and direction, paired with creativity and fun. While the foundation is healthy, there is room to bring greater intentionality, energy, and polish to gatherings, events, and communication. The right leader will balance structure and creativity—casting vision while keeping student ministry joyful, engaging, and relational.
Leadership
- The Next Gen Minister reports to the Coweta Campus Preaching Minister (Ryan Fankhauser) and works closely with elders and lay leadership. Ryan has a background in youth ministry and will not be a micromanager, but values collaboration and would love to be a sounding board for the new leaders.
- Leadership at Ridge Christian values trust, initiative, and collaboration. The Campus Pastor brings energy, ideas, and deep community knowledge and is eager to empower a leader who can take ownership of Next Gen ministry while remaining aligned with the broader vision of the church.
Key Qualifications
- 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
