Director Of Youth Ministry

Director of Youth Ministry

What if your job was knowing teenagers by name, showing up at their games,

and watching them fall in love with Jesus — while building a team of leaders

who do the same?

That's the heart of this role.

Who We're Looking For You love Jesus and teenagers — in that order — and it shows in how you spend your time. You're the kind of person who remembers names, shows up uninvited to Friday night games, and understands that discipleship happens in coffee shops, living rooms, school hallways, and parking lots as much as it does in church programs. You can teach Scripture clearly, lead volunteers with grace, and partner well with parents without missing a beat. This is not a preaching-focused role. We want your time spent building relationships with students, showing up in their world, investing in leaders, and walking alongside teenagers as they learn to follow Jesus, not spending hours every week preparing sermons. We’re looking for someone who is grounded, relational, approachable, and ready to help build a ministry that lasts.

Dardenne Presbyterian Church

Director of Youth Ministry

Full-Time or Part-Time | Reports to Associate Pastor

The Director of Youth Ministries leads and develops the student ministry at Dardenne Presbyterian Church. This is a relational ministry role first — programs and events exist to serve relationships, not replace them. The Director works in close collaboration with the pastoral staff team.

Responsibilities & Duties

Build Relationships with Students

• Attend school events, games, and activities — show up because you genuinely care
• Meet students one-on-one regularly for coffee, meals, or other informal time
• Actively pursue fringe, disengaged, and unchurched students
• Maintain an active student roster and track spiritual milestones and life events
• Assess spiritual growth intentionally — attendance is not discipleship
• Build genuine relationships with parents as a ministry priority; equip them to disciple at home

Program Preparation & Leadership

• Plan and lead Sunday Evening DCS gatherings and Wednesday Bible Study
• Prepare gospel-centered, theologically grounded teaching; evaluate and select curriculum carefully
• Plan and lead seasonal programming: summer camp or retreat, mission trips, and Confirmation class
• Develop an annual ministry calendar in collaboration with the pastoral team
• Coordinate all event logistics, communications, registration, and follow-up

Volunteer Leadership Development

• Recruit, develop, and retain spiritually mature, relationally gifted volunteer leaders
• Lead regular team gatherings that include prayer, Bible study, and discipleship — not just logistics
• Hold leaders accountable for building genuine connections with students outside of programming
• Delegate meaningful areas of ministry ownership to capable lay leaders
• Ensure all volunteers are background-checked and aligned with child protection policies

Sunday Morning Presence

• Arrive early; actively seek out students and families before, during, and after services
• Use Sunday morning to build relationships across the broader congregation — learn names, follow up

Staff & Pastoral Engagement

• Attend all staff meetings; meet regularly one-on-one with supervisor for oversight and alignment
• Engage monthly with the Elder assigned to student ministry from Session
• Submit an annual ministry plan including programming calendar, leadership goals, and key metrics
• Be a visible, known presence to the full congregation — not just the student ministry wing

Qualifications

• Belief in Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior; demonstration of personal faith in word and deed
• Able to affirm ECO’s Essential Tenets and Reformed evangelical convictions
• Demonstrated ability to build authentic relationships with teenagers
• Experience leading, developing, and supporting volunteer teams
• Competence in teaching and communicating Scripture to students
• Organizational ability to plan, execute, and communicate ministry programming
• Bachelor’s degree in ministry, education, or related field preferred

Schedule & Practical Expectations

• Full-time, 40–45 hours/week; Part-time 20-25 hours/week, evenings and weekends are a normal part of this role
• Standard work week is Sunday–Thursday; required availability includes Sunday evening DCS, Wednesday Bible Study, and regular staff meetings
• This is not a remote position — your mission field is where your students are
• Compensation commensurate with education, skill, and experience
• Paid vacation, sick days, and personal days per the DPC Employee Handbook
• All absences from scheduled events communicated in advance with appropriate coverage arranged

Dardenne Presbyterian Church  |  O’Fallon, Missouri  |  ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians