GRACEPOINT Youth director INFO

ABOUT THE CHURCH:

GracePoint started in 2009 with a napkin, a dream, and a crazy question: What if we did church differently? What if church didn’t have to feel outdated, irrelevant, or judgmental? What if we could create a place where unchurched people actually loved showing up? What if there could be a place where they people could belong, build relationships, and ultimately meet Jesus?

We started with 24 people, a bunch of empty chairs, and a big dream. By the grace of God, people showed up. And they kept showing up. For years, GracePoint was mobile. We met in a banquet center and then an elementary school gym, with volunteers arriving at 5:00 a.m. every Sunday to unload a semi and build church from the ground up. Then we tore it all down and did it again the next week. It was exhausting. It was crazy. And it was awesome. Today, hundreds of people call GracePoint home in Valparaiso, Indiana. They come from different backgrounds, different stories, and different places in their faith journey. Seventeen years later, the mission hasn't changed. We still believe church can be different. We still believe people far from God matter deeply to God. And we’re still creating a church unchurched people love. The dream is alive. And the story is far from over.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

We are excited to welcome a Youth Director to lead and oversee our middle school and high school ministry! The Youth Director will provide the overall leadership, direction, and vision for GP Youth. This role is responsible for cultivating a thriving ministry that helps students take meaningful next steps in their relationship with Jesus while equipping and empowering adult leaders to make a lasting impact. The Youth Director will focus on spiritual growth, increased engagement, volunteer development, and a culture where students are excited to invite their friends. The ideal candidate naturally connects with both students and adult leaders, is passionate about building teams, and is committed to creating environments where young people can encounter Jesus and develop an authentic faith.

HOURS AND SCHEDULE:

The Youth Director is a part-time position averaging 25–30 hours per week. The weekly schedule includes Sundays, serving at both church services and leading GP Youth on Sunday nights, as well as 1–2 days in the office each week working alongside the staff team.

The remaining hours are flexible and should be intentionally invested in preparing for ministry, developing leaders, connecting with students and parents, attending student activities, and creating opportunities to build relationships outside of Sunday programming. Because ministry doesn’t always happen during traditional office hours, this role requires flexibility and a willingness to be present when and where students and families need you most.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Build and Lead an Exceptional Volunteer Leadership Team

  • Recruit, develop, and empower a team of adult leaders who are passionate about investing in the next generation.

  • Provide the direction and vision to the volunteer leadership team to ensure it is running with excellence and purpose.

  • Align volunteer leaders around the mission, values, strategy, and culture of GP Youth.

  • Champion the vision of the youth ministry throughout the church and help create pathways for adults to engage in serving students.

  • Develop and maintain effective systems for volunteer recruitment, onboarding, training, and ongoing leadership development.

  • Equip leaders with the tools, resources, and support needed to effectively disciple students and lead with confidence.

  • Foster a healthy, relational team culture where volunteers feel valued, connected, encouraged, and cared for.

  • Provide regular coaching, encouragement, and feedback to help leaders grow personally, spiritually, and as ministry leaders.

  • Build a leadership pipeline that develops future team leaders and strengthens the long-term health of the ministry.

2. Create an Engaging and Life-Giving GP Youth Experience

  • Create a welcoming, high-energy environment where students feel valued, connected, and excited to invite their friends.

  • Recruit, develop, and collaborate with volunteers who can help create excellent experiences through creativity, production, hospitality, and event execution.

  • Ensure that all aspects of the ministry experience reflect excellence and support the overall mission and vision of GP Youth.

  • Utilize the Grow Curriculum to provide biblically sound, age-appropriate teaching and discipleship opportunities.

  • Encourage and equip students to discover their gifts and actively serve within the life of the church.

  • Develop intentional pathways for students to take spiritual next steps in their faith journey.

  • Follow up with first-time guests, students, parents, and volunteers to help them feel known, connected, and supported.

  • Celebrate and provide follow-up care for students who make decisions to follow Christ, take steps in baptism, or engage in other significant moments of spiritual growth.

3. Provide Leadership and Support on Sundays

  • Serve as a visible and relational presence on Sundays by engaging with students, parents, guests, and church attenders.

  • Occasionally provide stage communication during weekend services, including ministry updates, vision casting, announcements, testimonies, and other church-wide initiatives.

  • Demonstrate a team-first attitude by serving alongside other ministries and contributing to the success of weekend experiences when needed.

4. Partner with and Equip Parents

  • Build strong relationships with parents and guardians, creating an atmosphere of trust, communication, and partnership.

  • Champion the biblical principle that parents are the primary spiritual influencers in the lives of their children and equip them to lead faith conversations at home.

  • Develop intentional strategies to keep parents informed, encouraged, and engaged in the spiritual development of their students.

  • Provide resources, tools, and practical support that help families navigate the challenges and opportunities of raising teenagers.

  • Create meaningful touch-points throughout the year that inspire and connect parents to the mission and vision of GP Youth.

  • Communicate regularly with parents regarding ministry events, student milestones, spiritual growth opportunities, and next steps.

  • Foster a culture where parents feel valued, supported, and empowered as partners in discipleship.

  • Connect with parents to establish teamwork and trust.

  • Ensure that GP Youth consistently serves as a resource to families, recognizing that the greatest opportunities for spiritual influence occur outside the church and within the home.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • Possess a strong combination of leadership, relational, organizational, and communication skills.

  • Have a passionate and contagious enthusiasm for teenagers.

  • Ability to identify, train, equip, and inspire both adult volunteers and student leaders.

  • Strong leadership skills with the ability to cast vision, motivate others, and move people toward a common mission.

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to connect effectively with students, parents, volunteers, and church staff.

  • Ability to navigate difficult conversations with wisdom and grace.

  • Demonstrates effective time management and the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced ministry environment.

  • Experience planning, organizing, and executing student events, retreats, and ministry programs.

  • Works well both independently and collaboratively as part of a ministry team.

Education and Experience

  • We recognize that effective ministry leadership is shaped through a combination of education, experience, character, and calling. While formal training and ministry experience are valuable, we place a high priority on finding the right cultural and ministry fit for our church.

  • A self-starter mentality is non-negotiable for this role. We are looking for someone who takes ownership, works with initiative, and consistently moves ministry forward without needing to be closely managed.

  • High school diploma or GED required.

  • Bachelor's degree in Theology, Biblical Studies, Youth Ministry, Christian Leadership, or a related field is preferred, but not required.

  • Previous experience serving in youth ministry, student leadership, or a similar ministry role is beneficial but not required.

  • Demonstrated experience leading volunteers, building teams, and discipling students is considered an asset.

  • A growing and authentic relationship with Jesus Christ, along with a commitment to spiritual maturity and personal integrity.

  • Alignment with the mission, vision, values, and doctrinal beliefs of GracePoint Church.

  • While relevant education and experience are appreciated, finding someone who aligns with our culture, shares our values, and is passionate about our mission is our highest priority.

bonus QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience leading student ministry in a church setting.

  • Ability to teach and communicate biblical truth in an engaging and relevant way.

  • Basic event production, creative, or social media skills.

  • Dodgeball skills are highly encouraged. 🙂

APPLY NOW!

We're glad that you stopped by! Here’s two recent event videos from our Serve Week and our Baptism Day to give you a glimpse into the church. We’d love to have you look around and see if this feels like a place you want to belong to!