Associate Pastor ( Full Time)

ASSOCIATE PASTOR/DIRECTOR

Orbit Church

Buckeye, Arizona (Greater Phoenix Metro Area)

Full-time

Help people find peace and develop purpose by revolving everything around Jesus.

Orbit Church is a young, fast-growing church plant in Buckeye, Arizona, averaging 360‑430 people each Sunday with 75‑100 kids. We launched in 2024 with a clear vision: to help people find peace and develop purpose by revolving everything around Jesus. We’re portable, scrappy, and building something real.

We’re hiring an Associate Pastor / Director to help build the next chapter of Orbit. This pastor will own youth and young adult ministry, lead Orbit’s guest experience and assimilation pipeline (street to seat, seat to saved, saved to sanctified) carry weight in Sunday communication, and grow into broader executive‑level pastoral leadership across the church.

This isn’t a youth‑pastor‑with‑extras role. It’s a real pastoral leadership seat designed for someone who can teach, build, shepherd, lead leaders, and grow into an executive portfolio—without losing the relational gravity that makes students and young adults actually want to follow.

A pastor hungry to grow under direct mentorship from the Lead Pastor in preaching, theology, leadership, and ministry strategy.

Title flexes to Director of Discipleship for non‑ordained candidates. Youth & Young Adult Ministry

Own the youth ministry (currently 20–30 students) and young adult ministry (currently 20–30 young adults).

Refresh, restructure, and build these ministries in line with Orbit’s vision and strategy—full authority to reshape rhythms, culture, and approach as needed.

Recruit, train, and develop volunteer leaders for both ministries.

Partner with parents in the discipleship of students.

Identify, disciple, and raise up emerging young adult leaders.

Own and develop Orbit’s full guest experience and assimilation pipeline (street to seat, seat to saved, saved to sanctified).

Strengthen hospitality culture, follow‑up systems, and connection points across the entire Sunday experience.

Sunday Leadership & Communication

Provide consistent, visible pastoral presence on Sundays.

Preach occasionally when gifting and growth warrant it, with ongoing coaching from the Lead Pastor.

Leadership Development & Pastoral Care

Pastor people directly—prayer, follow‑up, hard conversations, real shepherding.

Help develop leaders across the church alongside the Lead Pastor.

Build training environments for volunteers, ministry leads, and emerging leaders.

A clear, evident love for Jesus, Scripture, the local church, and people.

Our doctrinal foundation is broadly SBC with love for charismatic expression. We partner with Converge, ARC, the SBC, and various local church networks.

Significant prior ministry leadership experience—staff or substantial volunteer leadership where you owned outcomes, not just executed tasks.

Proven ability to build ministry, not just maintain programs.

Comfortable in a young, fast‑growing, portable church environment.

A personal life that reflects spiritual maturity, integrity, and healthy rhythms.

Formal theological education isn’t required, but candidates with serious depth of study and engagement with Scripture, theology, and church history will stand out. We’re not looking for someone settled into shallow water. Relationally warm, naturally sociable, and energized by people—equally comfortable rallying volunteers, sitting with a hurting family, hosting a stage, and quietly building systems behind the scenes.

Secure enough to thrive under clear leadership and ambitious enough to grow into executive‑level pastoral leadership over time.

Connects naturally with students and young adults without trying too hard—relatable, not performative. Ideally married with children. This fits naturally with Orbit’s focus on students, young adults, and families, and would be a meaningful strength in this seat. A healthy household, however shaped, with integrity and ministry‑supportive rhythms is what matters most.

Not looking for a narrow ministry silo. Wants to help build a church.

Compensation is flexible because we’re prioritizing the right person over a fixed budget. Base salary ranges depending on experience, fit, and scope, with a health insurance stipend available depending on family situation and need.