Youth Pastor

Job Title: Youth Pastor

Location: Leaf River, Illinois (leafriver.church)

Reports To: Lead Pastor

Status: Full-Time (40+ hrs)

Position Summary:

The Youth Pastor will provide spiritual leadership to the next generation of disciples. 

LRBC is situated in beautiful Rural Northern Illinois. As a church, we are committed to loving people where they are and helping them grow to be solid believers. If you are not afraid of work and making connections in the community, this may be the ministry position for you.

LRBC stands as the only Gospel community in the Village of Leaf River, and we are waiting for someone to come and love this community alongside us.

Pastor Billy and Bethany have extensive ministry experience and are excited to join with a young pastor who desires to grow in ministry in order to reach the lost.

Key Responsibilities (Core Focus):

1. Teach & Disciple the Next Generation

• Teach Scripture to children and youth with clarity and faithfulness—
• (2 Timothy 4:2)
• Encourage young people to grow in personal faith

2. Equip Families

• Support and encourage parents in discipling their children—

(Ephesians 6:4)

3. Develop Volunteers

• Recruit and equip volunteers for children’s and youth ministry—

(2 Timothy 2:2)

4. Provide Ministry Oversight

• Ensure children’s and youth ministries are organized, safe, and aligned with the church’s mission of “To know Christ, grow in faith, go make him known.”—

(1 Corinthians 14:40)

5. Secondary Responsibilities (Develop Over Time):

• Strengthen community outreach to youth and families—

(Matthew 28:19–20)

• Introduce tools or systems that improve communication and organization
• Develop additional programs or events as ministry grows

Qualifications:

Required:

• A clear and growing relationship with Jesus Christ

(1 Timothy 4:12)

• Agreement with the church’s statement of faith
• Ability to teach and apply Scripture faithfully

(2 Timothy 2:15)

• A heart for discipling the next generation and their families.
• A man who exemplifies the qualifications of a Biblical Elder 

(1 Timothy 3:1-7)

Preferred (not required):

• Bible training (formal or informal)
• Experience in children’s or youth ministry (paid or volunteer)
• Experience leading or organizing volunteers

Personal Character:

• Spiritually maturing and committed to prayer

(Colossians 4:2)

• Humble, teachable, and team-oriented

(Philippians 2:3–4)

• Faithful and dependable in ministry

(Luke 16:10)

Schedule & Commitment:

• Sunday morning participation required (teaching and/or ministry leadership)

(Hebrews 10:25)

• Weekly ministry involvement (including some evenings as needed)
• Participation in regular staff or leadership meetings

Vision & Growth Opportunities:

• Shape and strengthen the church’s ministry to the next generation. 
• Help develop new ministry initiatives as the church grows
• Create new opportunities in a community that is hungry for ministry where there is none
• Grow personally in ministry skills, leadership, and theological understanding

(2 Timothy 1:6–7 — God develops gifts over time)

How to Apply:

• Send cover letter (brief introduction) and resume to staffing@leafriverbaptist.org
• Cover letter should have a basic testimony and general church history. 

Leaf River Baptist Church is a community of believers. We believe that together, in fellowship, we grow closer to God and one another. The Bible speaks about iron sharpening iron, and we believe that together we grow stronger.

Jesus calls for us to go outside the walls to reach the lost and the broken. While many churches find it more comfortable to sit inside, we strive to go outside the walls of the church and engage the lost and dying around us.

Leaf River is a village with fewer than 500 people. That size truly allows us to have an impact on the entire community. While Ogle County has roughly 50,000 people, we have found that about 80% do not attend an authentic Bible-teaching church. This drives us to boldly proclaim the Gospel to everyone around us.

To the new Family Pastor, I want to let you know about the amazing opportunity awaiting you in Leaf River. Currently, there are no children's or youth ministries in the village, and there are families in the community who are seeking activities and community for their kids. There is a basketball goal and community park right in the middle of town. This would be a great "outdoor office" for you as our next pastor. There is also a nice and mostly renovated community center right in the middle of the village, allowing for great children's or youth ministry activities. Of course, the church is available as well, but we are just a little bit outside of town. Additionally, you will not be alone in ministry. I (Pastor Billy) am seeking a young pastor to mentor and grow into a leader and pastor who can have an enormous impact for the Lord.

leafriver.church/about to find out more...