Lead Pastor

Job Description

Job Description

Lead Pastor, Refuge Church - Appleton, WI

Refuge Church is seeking a Lead Pastor who will faithfully shepherd, disciple, and lead our congregation with a deep love for Jesus, His Word, and His people.

We are a growing and intentionally multi-ethnic church in the heart of Appleton, Wisconsin, committed to keeping the gospel central in all we do. We desire a pastor who prioritizes relational ministry, discipleship, prayer, and spiritual care.

Our church family is longing for a shepherd/leader who will know people personally, invest deeply in relationships, and help cultivate a healthy culture of discipleship, unity, and spiritual growth.

About Refuge Church

Refuge Church exists to ignite a movement of multi-ethnic Christ-followers to Reach, Develop and Send the next generations.

Our current average Sunday attendance is approximately 125 people, with a membership of around 65. We recently completed a renovation that doubled our ministry space and positioned us well for future ministry opportunities.

Our ministries currently include:

• Sunday worship gatherings
• Children’s ministry
• Youth ministry
• Men’s and women’s ministries
• Life groups
• Church planting and Greenhouse Environment Residencies

Refuge has also helped develop and send licensed workers to plant churches and send out international workers with the C&MA.

Our Core Values

Simply the Gospel
We believe that the gospel of Christ is entirely applicable and relevant and therefore at the very center of all we do.

Authentic Relationships
We, in like manner to Christ, look to show the character and priorities of Jesus in relationships even when we fall short.

Intentionally Multi-Ethnic
The gospel transcends culture and context and because of this every tribe and tongue will proclaim the glory of God.

Multiplying Disciples
Every gospel-centered ministry will, at its core, fulfill the call to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Crazy Generosity
Just as God’s generosity was ludicrous, ours should be equally crazy!

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking a pastor who:

• Is a shepherd/leader and discipler.
• Loves people deeply and engages relationally
• Prioritizes discipleship and spiritual formation
• Leads through humility, prayer, and presence
• Preaches and teaches Scripture faithfully and clearly
• Builds unity within the church body
• Values intentional multicultural ministry
• Equips others for ministry rather than carrying ministry alone
• Models personal spiritual maturity and dependence on Christ

Primary Responsibilities

Shepherding & Discipleship

• Provide spiritual care and shepherding for the church body
• Develop a culture of discipleship and spiritual growth
• Invest personally in mentoring and developing leaders
• Help cultivate authentic biblical community

Preaching & Teaching

• Faithfully preach and teach the Word of God
• Prepare gospel-centered sermons with practical application
• Lead the church in biblical truth and spiritual maturity

Prayer & Spiritual Leadership

• Model a life of prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit
• Lead the church spiritually with humility and wisdom
• Provide pastoral care

Leadership & Vision

• Serve as a member of the elder team and chairman of the Governing Board
• Help guide the church toward healthy growth and mission
• Support and strengthen Refuge’s multi-ethnic mission and identity
• Equip the congregation to engage the community and make disciples

Desired Qualifications

• A growing and vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ
• Alignment with the theology and mission of The Alliance (C&MA)
• Be fully licensed/ordained as an official worker of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. If not already licensed with the C&MA, be willing to be licensed with the Western Great Lakes District prior to hiring and then pursue ordination.
• Demonstrate pastoral, shepherding, and discipleship gifting
• Experience in preaching and teaching Scripture
• Ability to build relationships across cultures and backgrounds
• Humility, emotional maturity, and relational wisdom
• A heart for unity, care, and spiritual formation
• Formal ministry training and pastoral experience required (Bachelor’s preferred / 5+ years of experience preferred)

About Appleton, Wisconsin
Appleton is a vibrant city in the Fox Valley region of Northeast Wisconsin. The area offers a strong sense of community, excellent schools, outdoor recreation, and a growing and diverse population. Refuge Church is uniquely positioned in the heart of Appleton to engage people from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should fill out the application and submit a resume, a video recording of a sermon they have given, a cover letter outlining their personal testimony as well as philosophy of ministry, at least three personal/character references, AND one reference from another pastor (including contact information and relationship context for each reference).

All applicants will be reviewed in line with the qualifications outlined in the Character Profile. If the district office has reviewed your application and they think you may be a potential match for the position, the hiring manager will reach out to you for next steps.

This position requires licensing with The Christian & Missionary Alliance. To learn more about The Alliance and requirements for licensing, please visit our website

Please do not contact the church directly.