Pastor of Students and Church Development

Job Title: Student Pastor

Location: Scottsdale, Arizona

Church Size: 1,000–1,500

Why This Is a Great Opportunity

McDowell Mountain Community Church is seeking a Student Pastor to provide vision, leadership, and oversight for a growing and healthy student ministry. This is a highly relational and hands‑on role designed for a leader who thrives in both discipleship and leadership. Are you someone who can build strong relationships, develop leaders, and create environments where students encounter Jesus and take meaningful next steps in their faith?

This role offers the opportunity to lead both middle school and high school ministry while overseeing programming, volunteer development, communication, discipleship strategies, and event execution.

For a leader who is passionate about students, energized by team leadership, and committed to building a thriving ministry culture, this is a significant opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of students and families.

About McDowell Church

Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, McDowell is a welcoming, relational church that prioritizes biblical teaching, authentic community, and practical discipleship. They are passionate about helping people encounter Jesus, be transformed by His Spirit, and live out their faith in everyday life.

The church places a strong emphasis on investing in the next generation, building strong relationships, and reaching their city with the love of Jesus. Their staff culture reflects that mission, marked by humility, collaboration, alignment, and a shared commitment to creating life‑giving ministry environments that make a lasting impact.

Leadership Responsibilities

Ministry Leadership: Provide vision, leadership, and oversight for all middle school and high school ministry programming, discipleship initiatives, and volunteer teams.

Student Engagement: Build meaningful relationships with students both inside and outside church settings, including engagement opportunities through Trailhead Coffee and other community touchpoints.

Volunteer Development Recruit, develop, equip, and shepherd volunteer leaders, fostering ownership, consistency, spiritual growth, and a healthy culture within the volunteer team.

Parent Partnership: Foster strong relationships with parents through support, communication, and partnership in the spiritual development of their students.

Weekly Communication: Lead proactive communication with parents, students, and volunteers through email, text, and social media, cultivating trust, clarity, and a strong sense of community throughout the student ministry.

Brand & Digital Presence: Oversee the McDowell Students digital presence, including the website, social media, event promotion, calendars, and graphics, ensuring all content reflects the vision, values, and mission of the ministry.

Ministry Programming

Weekly Programming: Lead the planning and execution of Sunday morning and student ministry programming, creating engaging environments that are biblically grounded, relationally driven, and spiritually intentional.

Program Development: Plan, organize, and execute weekly middle school and high school gatherings, ensuring excellence in programming and disciple-making.

Teaching & Spiritual Formation: Serve as the primary teaching leader for student ministry gatherings while shepherding students through large group teaching, small groups, mentoring relationships, and discipleship pathways that encourage long-term spiritual growth.

Event & Camp Leadership Provide leadership for the planning, coordination, and execution of MS Camp, HS Camp, Winter Camp, mission trips, retreats, and outreach opportunities, ensuring excellence in both spiritual impact and operational execution.

Operations & Administration: Manage ministry budgets, calendars, systems, supplies, food orders, and logistical processes to ensure ministry programs run smoothly and effectively, creating environments where leaders and students can focus on spiritual growth and community.

Character Traits

A humble servant leader who leads with integrity, wisdom, and high EQ

Passionate about students and their potential to impact the world for Jesus

A pastor at heart who is dedicated to shepherding students, leaders, and families

A dynamic communicator who teaches God’s Word in biblically faithful and culturally relevant ways

A proven leader who recruits, develops, and empowers volunteer leaders

A strategic thinker with strong organizational and project management skills

A collaborative team player who aligns with the vision and values of McDowell Church

Qualifications

Minimum of 3-5 years of student ministry experience in a growing student ministry

A degree in Biblical Studies, Youth Ministry, or a related field is preferred

Proven experience building, leading, and developing volunteer teams

Strong communication skills with students, parents, staff, and leaders

Demonstrated leadership and administrative experience with the ability to manage budgets, schedules, systems, and ministry strategy

Proficiency in Excel, Word, Outlook, and social media platforms, with a willingness to learn new technologies as needed

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $70,000–$75,000 depending on education and experience, plus employer-sponsored insurance and benefits.

About the Community

Scottsdale is a growing, influential city in the Phoenix metro area filled with young families, professionals, and people exploring faith. With its strong sense of community and steady growth, it provides a strategic opportunity for ministry, especially to invest in the next generation and build meaningful relationships both inside and outside the church.

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