Senior Pastor

Available Position: Full-Time Pastor 

About Us:

Living Hope of Aurora (LHA) is a welcoming community church with historical roots in the Anabaptist faith, although in recent years we have increasingly taken on the identity of a community church. Our congregation is located in the community of Aurora, Ohio. We strive to uphold the authority of Scripture and follow God’s mission in the world by bringing hope to the hopeless, peace to the distressed, and the light of Jesus to all we meet.

Our vision is to be known as a welcoming place for families and individuals, where we offer giving and helpful outreach to the community. We are steadfast in our mission to grow our congregation and deepen our connection with the community, particularly by welcoming and discipling young families.

A typical Sunday service at LHA includes a warm welcome, a time of congregational singing, scripture reading, prayer, a sermon, a response song, and a benediction. Services generally last just under one hour, and once a month, the congregation shares communion and participates in a special time of prayer and anointing. Music is a central part of LHA’s worship, with 15-20 minutes of singing at the beginning of the service and at least one song following the sermon. The church draws from a mix of contemporary worship music, choruses, and hymns.

LHA is a spiritually and emotionally healthy congregation with a strong sense of unity and family. We are open to new ideas and approaches to ministry and are actively seeking growth through community outreach and innovative programs. Over the next five years, we envision expanding our reach in the community and growing our congregation.

About Aurora:

Aurora, Ohio, is a small, friendly city in Northeast Ohio, about 30 miles from Cleveland and 25 miles from Akron. Known for its peaceful neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and outdoor activities like hiking, camping, fishing, and kayaking, Aurora offers plenty of natural beauty with its trees, open spaces, and lakes.

The city has a historical area with local shops, restaurants, and places to explore. Aurora is also close to several highly regarded colleges and universities, providing excellent opportunities for education and cultural experiences. Kent State University, located just 15 miles away in Kent, Ohio, is one of the largest universities in the region, offering a wide range of programs and events. The University of Akron, about 25 miles away, and Cleveland State University, roughly 30 miles from Aurora, offer diverse academic programs and urban campus experiences. Additionally, Hiram College, a small liberal arts college, is located just 15 miles from Aurora. 

Aurora’s schools are highly rated, which makes it a popular place for families. It’s also easy to travel to bigger cities nearby because Aurora is close to major highways. The community celebrates its history with fun events throughout the year, and the people here are warm and welcoming. With its blend of quiet natural beauty, modern conveniences, and access to educational opportunities, Aurora is a wonderful place to live.

Role Overview:

The Pastor will serve as the spiritual leader of LHA, providing biblical teaching, prayerful guidance, and visionary leadership to help fulfill the church’s mission and vision. This individual will represent LHA within the community, the LMC Churches, and other leadership contexts, modeling a life of faith, integrity, and service.

Key Responsibilities:

• Preaching and Teaching: Deliver strong, biblically grounded sermons and lead teaching ministries that inspire and equip the congregation.
• Leadership: Provide pastoral leadership for the church’s ministries, fostering growth in youth and family outreach.
• Community Engagement: Represent LHA in the local community, building relationships and partnerships to expand the church’s outreach.
• Congregational Care: Provide spiritual support, counseling, and care for members, nurturing a harmonious and supportive church family.
• Vision and Strategy: Partner with church leadership to develop and execute strategies for growth, community engagement, and outreach events.

Desired Qualifications:

• A deep commitment to Anabaptist theology, including the principles of peace and believer’s baptism.
• A passion and gift for building and sustaining family and youth ministries.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• A heart for community outreach and a vision for growing the church body.
• Theological education and pastoral experience 

Join Us:

We are praying for a caring, energetic, Bible-teaching pastor with a heart for outreach and growth. If you feel called to work alongside our congregation as we join God’s mission in the world, we encourage you to apply by submitting your resume to:

Brina Paul, Search Committee Chair

Jim Schwartz, Co-Chair 330-608-9577

Email: LHApastorsearch@gmail.com

Church Phone: 330-562-8011

We look forward to hearing from you!