Youth Director

Ovid Community Church — Anderson, Indiana

The opportunity:

Ovid Community Church is a congregation of about 150 people in Anderson, Indiana, with a big heart for the next generation. Our student ministry, Awaken Students, is in a rebuilding season — and we see that as an opportunity, not a setback. A faithful core of students is meeting every week, a dedicated team of ten adult leaders is already serving, and our elders and deacons have stepped out in faith to approve a full-time Youth Pastor for the coming year.

We are looking for a leader who will see that core, love those students, and build with us. You will not be starting alone and you will not be maintaining a machine — you will be shepherding a ministry with room to grow, alongside a senior pastor who will invest in you personally.

What you'll do

• Lead Awaken Students, our weekly Sunday night gathering (6:00–8:00 PM) for students in grades 6–12 — teaching God's Word in a way that is biblical, clear, and real for teenagers
• Build discipling relationships with students — show up at games, schools, and the moments that matter in their lives Lead, encourage, and develop our team of adult youth leaders; recruit and train new ones
• Partner with parents as the primary disciple-makers of their teens, keeping them informed, equipped, and encouraged
• Plan and lead a full year of student ministry: weekly gatherings, small groups, retreats, service opportunities, and a strong summer calendar (CIY MOVE and MIX conferences, SLU leadership training, Art Camp, and our Ecuador mission trip)
• Help new students and families move from their first visit toward belonging, serving, and growing — working within Ovid's assimilation pathway
• Manage the student ministry budget and calendar responsibly Serve as part of the Ovid staff team — present on Sunday mornings, at staff meetings, and in the wider life of the church

Who we're looking for

• A growing follower of Jesus with a clear sense of calling to ministry with teenagers
• Character first: integrity, humility, teachability, and a servant's heart
• A genuine love for students — including the ones who are far from God, new to church, or hard to reach
• Agreement with Ovid Community Church's doctrine and values, and support for the vision and leadership of the church
• Experience serving in youth ministry (leadership experience preferred); formal ministry training is a plus but not a substitute for calling and character
• A team builder — someone who develops leaders rather than doing everything alone
• Background check required prior to start, and completion of our child protection policy training before serving with minors

What we offer

• A senior pastor with 30 years of ministry experience and a Master's in Transformational Leadership who mentors his staff personally — you will be developed here, not just deployed
• An established team of adult leaders and a congregation that is praying for this hire and ready to support it
• Freedom to build: a real voice in shaping the future of student ministry at Ovid
• Compensation: To be determined based on experience and qualifications — a total compensation package, including housing allowance, commensurate with the candidate's background.

Details

• Schedule: Full-time, including Sundays and evenings as ministry requires
• Reports to: Pastor John David, Senior Pastor
• Location: Ovid Community Church, 793 E 600 S, Anderson, IN 46013 — on-site
• Start date: ASAP
• How to apply Send your resume and a brief statement (one page or less) describing your sense of calling to ministry with teenagers and your testimony of faith in Christ to jobs@ovidchurch.com.