Manteno Church of the Nazarene seeks a motivated student ministries pastor to lead students in a thriving ministry where youth are hungry to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ, their leadership, and their roles within the church. Known as “MC Students,” the ministry comprises over 60 students in 5th through 12th grades who embody the church’s mission to “Love God, Journey Together, Serve Others, and Share Jesus.”
In this role, the student ministries pastor will join a staff that currently includes two full-time pastors (lead and children), a part-time worship leader, and two office administrators. They will be supported by three youth interns and a large, active group of volunteers who lead a wide variety of youth-specific activities, including Journey Groups, Student Leadership Council, Bible Quizzing, Club 56, and a student-led praise band. Beyond these activities, several students are actively engaged as volunteers in the children’s department, media team, Sunday morning worship, MC Milestones (for senior adults), and other initiatives.
Manteno Church of the Nazarene is a family-oriented church that celebrates intergenerational relationships and welcomes people of all ages, socioeconomic levels, and faith backgrounds. New people are connecting with our church nearly every week, often with little church background, and new faith commitments and baptisms occur regularly. In-person, Sunday morning attendance has averaged 310 in 2025. The church is located in Manteno, Illinois (population 9,000), less than 15 minutes north of Olivet Nazarene University and less than an hour from the heart of Chicago.
Interested applicants should send their resume with references to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Student Ministries Pastor
Position Description
The mission of Manteno Church of the Nazarene is to Love God, Journey Together, Serve Others, and Share Jesus. The Student Ministries Pastor will guide students in this mission, helping foster a growing understanding of what it means to be loved and commissioned by God. Duties include providing faith education, organizing youth events, coordinating volunteers, and communicating with church staff, parents, and key leaders about youth ministry developments and needs. The Student Ministries Pastor will report to the Lead Pastor.
Student Ministry Responsibilities:
- Plan and lead a welcoming, engaging, and Christ-centered weekly group gathering for Middle School (5th-8th grade) and High School (9th-12th grade) ages.
- Plan and lead regular programming and events to encourage evangelism, discipleship, and community building.
- Welcome new students to youth groups or weekend worship, and follow up with students and families as appropriate.
- Encourage and direct students in next steps such as baptism, membership, serving, etc.
- Provide a pastoral presence for youth and Student Ministries staff at church sponsored programs as well as their special events, hospital stays, or other times of celebration or crisis.
- Promote an atmosphere of acceptance and nurture.
- Recruit, train, schedule, lead, develop, support, and care for Student Ministry staff.
- Provide oversight of an agreed number of approved internships in partnership with Olivet.
- Encourage healthy relationships between Student Ministries staff, families of students, and the other ministries of the church.
- Maintain regular communication regarding programming with church leadership, ministry staff, parents, and students, be it individually, within ministry groups, or corporately through means including calls, texts, emails, social media announcements, website, etc.
- Maintain the highest safety standards for youth and ministry staff within the church’s Safety Policies and Procedures for Children and Student Ministries.
- Submit reports as necessary by policy, such as weekly ministry counts and monthly reports to the Church Board.
- Propose and manage an annual ministry budget for Student Ministries.
General Responsibilities:
- Lead and serve in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration with the entire church leadership.
- Serve as an integral member of the Pastoral Staff.
- Meet regularly with ministry boards and Pastoral Staff.
- Participate as a leader and pastor in church events as directed.
- Officiate in weddings, funerals, baptisms, and communion as requested (subject to ordination credentials where required).
- Execute other pastoral duties as assigned (preach, pastoral care, etc.).
- It is the expectation of the Student Ministries Pastor to give a minimum of 40 hours per week to specific position responsibilities, as well as volunteer a minimum of 5 hours a week as a member of the church.
Qualifications:
- A vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ.
- A love for young people and the ability to relate well to students both individually and within groups.
- A knowledge of and experience in student ministries.
- Strong leadership ability and communication skills.
- Self-starter with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple objectives and tasks.
- Ordained or seeking ordination within the Church of the Nazarene.
- Appreciation for and deepening understanding of Scripturally-based theology and Nazarene doctrine.
- Agreement with and commitment to a lifestyle in keeping with “The Covenant of Christian Conduct” as outlined in the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene.