Director of Student Ministries (Youth Director)
Location: Headland, Alabama
Position: Full-Time
Salary: $38,500–$40,000 annually
Benefits: Individual Healthcare Plan, Paid Time Off, Ministry Expense Reimbursement, Continuing Education Opportunities
Who We Are
Headland Methodist Church is a growing congregation in the Global Methodist Church committed to helping people Know Jesus, Grow in Faith, and Go Make Disciples. We believe students aren't the future of the Church—they are a vital part of the Church today.
We are seeking someone who loves Jesus deeply, genuinely enjoys being with students, and believes that relationships are the primary pathway to discipleship. We aren't looking for someone to simply run programs. We're praying for a disciple-maker who will invest in students, encourage parents, equip volunteers, and help teenagers discover what it means to faithfully follow Jesus.
Our Ideal Candidate
We're looking for someone who has:
- A growing, vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ.
- A heart for middle and high school students.
- A passion for relational ministry over event-driven ministry.
- A desire to make disciples rather than simply entertain.
- Emotional maturity, integrity, humility, and teachability.
- Strong communication and organizational skills.
- The ability to recruit, equip, and encourage volunteers.
- A commitment to the authority of Scripture and Wesleyan theology.
- A willingness to become an active member of Headland Methodist Church.
Position Summary
The Director of Student Ministries will cultivate a Christ-centered ministry for students (Grades 6–12) by building authentic relationships, creating environments where students experience belonging, and intentionally leading them toward becoming lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.
Success in this role will not be measured primarily by attendance numbers, but by relationships, spiritual growth, volunteer development, family engagement, and students taking meaningful next steps in their faith.
Primary Responsibilities
Build Relationships
- Be consistently present in the lives of students.
- Develop meaningful relationships with students and families.
- Visit school events, athletic competitions, performances, and community activities when appropriate.
- Create a ministry where every student feels known, valued, and loved.
Disciple Students
- Lead engaging weekly Bible studies and worship gatherings.
- Teach Scripture in a way that is biblically faithful and relevant.
- Develop small group leaders who can disciple students personally.
- Encourage students toward prayer, Scripture reading, worship, service, generosity, and mission.
Partner with Parents
- Encourage parents as the primary spiritual influence in their children's lives.
- Communicate regularly with families.
- Provide resources that help parents disciple their teenagers.
Develop Leaders
- Recruit, train, and shepherd adult volunteers.
- Build healthy ministry teams rather than doing ministry alone.
- Create opportunities for students to discover and use their spiritual gifts.
Plan Ministry Opportunities
Coordinate and oversee:
- Weekly Student Ministry
- Sunday Morning Student Discipleship
- Retreats
- Camps
- Mission Opportunities
- Service Projects
- Outreach Events
- Student Leadership Development
Be Part of the Church Staff
- Participate in weekly staff meetings.
- Collaborate with Children's Ministry and other church ministries.
- Assist with church-wide events as part of the ministry team.
- Manage the student ministry budget responsibly.
What Success Looks Like
The successful candidate will...
- Know students by name.
- Build trust with parents.
- Develop healthy volunteer leaders.
- Create a welcoming environment for new students.
- Teach God's Word faithfully.
- Raise up student leaders.
- Help students move from attending church to following Jesus.