Associate Youth Pastor

Job Description

Job Description

The Bridge Bible Church is seeking a Youth Pastor to lead a growing, multi-service student ministry rooted in prayer, Scripture, and Spirit-led ministry. You’ll build and shepherd adult leaders, raise student leaders, and partner with local schools to reach teens across Bakersfield. If you love developing people and multiplying ministry, this is a great opportunity.

About This Organization

The Bridge was founded in September 2003 as a new church, in a newly developing part of town, birthed from another local church. The Bridge is in the heart of the fastest-growing area in Northwest Bakersfield. We are a multi-generational church that has over 20+ years of reaching the community around us. 

Our vision is that we see neighborhoods full of families that are centered on Jesus and actively living out the Gospel. And our desire as church leaders is to teach and coach and encourage each family and individual to do just that. At The Bridge Bible Church, we believe that no one should be confused about how to grow in their faith. With the help of the Holy Spirit of God, everyone can mature in their faith journey with Jesus, and live the abundant life Jesus came to offer.

Location

“We’re 2 hours from the coast, the mountains, and all the major cities and with a religious culture that’s vibrant and deeply woven into our history, Bakersfield is often called the Bible belt of California with probably more akin to Texas sometimes than California.”

Jon Schliep – Pastor of Groups & Connection

Key Responsibilities

• Shepherd students and volunteer leaders with intentional check-ins and care.
• Generate and deliver biblical teaching; serve as a primary teacher/counselor and be prepared to teach and counsel as needs arise. 
• Lead strategic direction for ministry areas in alignment with the church; own day-to-day operations for the youth ministry. 
• Model “above reproach” character; set the spiritual tone for students and volunteers as a visible example. 
• Invest deeply in adult leaders and high-school student leaders; build and retain a strong volunteer team that multiplies care and presence on campuses and at student activities. 
• Equip students to serve (worship, tech, announcements, teaching); run Student Sunday and teaching labs that train students to prepare and deliver messages. 
• Coordinate weekly programming rhythms (leader huddles, countdown/service flow) and keep teams aligned. 
• Cultivate relationships with local schools (e.g., Liberty HS, Bakersfield Christian HS) and engage through chapels and campus presence. 
• Keep elders informed on significant “out-of-the-ordinary” issues; maintain strong alignment with church leadership.

Key Qualifications

• 3-5 years of youth ministry experience 
• Preferred college degree 
• Theological alignment with the US Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith and The Bridge’s doctrinal positions. 
• Comfortable leading within The Bridge’s discipleship framework (Big, Small, No, Go; Discipleship PATH) and helping people identify clear next steps. 
• Demonstrated ability to teach Scripture clearly and provide pastoral counsel to students. 
• Proven experience recruiting, training, and empowering volunteers and student leaders in a mid-to-large youth context. 
• Ability to collaborate with worship/tech partners and delegate effectively (scheduling, training, and team development happen through empowered leads). 
• Shows consistency and reliability—sets and upholds clear standards for leader commitment.