Position Description

At Connexus, we believe the next generation matters now.

The Student Ministry Director (SMD) leads and champions Student Ministry (Grades 5–12) across our Barrie and Orillia locations, creating irresistible environments where students can develop a faith of their own, build meaningful relationships, and grow in their relationship with Jesus.

As part of the NextGen Team, the Student Ministry Director provides vision, leadership, and strategic oversight for student environments, staff, volunteers, and leadership development. They build a thriving ministry that reaches students, partners with parents, develops leaders, and creates environments students are excited to invite their friends into.

Key Requirements

• A growing and authentic relationship with Jesus.
• A genuine passion for students and an understanding of the culture they are navigating.
• A strategic leader who can cast vision, build teams, and inspire people toward a common mission.
• 3+ years of experience leading middle school and/or high school ministry.
• Proven experience leading staff and volunteer teams.
• Confidence communicating from the platform and leading small and large groups.
• Strong leadership, communication, pastoral, and organizational skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, and innovative environment.
• Ability to recruit, develop, and empower healthy leaders and volunteer teams.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Student Ministry

• Provide vision, leadership, and oversight for Student Ministry (Grades 5–12) across Connexus Church.
• Lead and oversee engaging, relevant, and excellent student environments that help students develop a faith of their own, build meaningful relationships, and invite their friends into community.
• Oversee retreats, outreach initiatives, and special events.
• Give vision and direction to the Student Worship Team.

Develop Leaders & Partner with Parents

• Champion parents as the primary spiritual influence in their students' lives.
• Create intentional opportunities to communicate, support, and partner with families.
• Recruit, train, encourage, and develop volunteer leaders.
• Lead, coach, and support the Associate Student Ministry Director, interns, and volunteer leadership teams.
• Lead and develop the Student Leadership Team.
• Create healthy systems that help leaders grow in confidence, ownership, and effectiveness.

Build & Grow the Ministry

• Ensure every student has opportunities to be known, loved, and connected through meaningful relationships and small groups.
• Create clear next steps for students in areas such as baptism, serving, leadership, mentorship, and spiritual growth.
• Build meaningful relationships within local schools and communities.
• Stay connected to student culture and emerging trends to effectively reach the next generation.
• Collaborate with staff and ministries across Connexus to create aligned and excellent experiences for students and families.
• Prepare and oversee the annual Student Ministry budget.
• Monitor ministry effectiveness, health, and key metrics.
• Support the overall mission and vision of Connexus Church.
• Other duties as assigned.

What Success Looks Like

A win for the Student Ministry Director is seeing students develop a faith of their own, invite their friends into community, leaders grow in confidence and ownership, parents actively engaged in their students' spiritual journey, and environments created where students encounter Jesus, build meaningful relationships, and become lifelong followers of Christ.

Work Schedule

Approximately 40+ hours per week, including weekends, midweek ministry environments, events, retreats, and special initiatives.

Reports To

Executive Director of NextGen Ministries.

Compensation

Commensurate with experience.

To Apply

Send your resume and cover letter to Deniel Sewell at dsewell@connexuschurch.com.