Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

St. Andrew Baptist Church

Student Pastor

Panama City,

Florida

St. Andrew Baptist Church is looking for a relational, grounded, and visionary Student Pastor to lead its ministry to middle school, high school, and college students. After a few transitional years, the church is ready for a steady leader who can rebuild trust, disciple students, equip volunteers, and bring healthy momentum to the next chapter of ministry. This is a rare chance to lead a ministry thats full of potential with a team and church ready to go there with you.

Why I Love This Opportunity

After spending time onsite with the team, I walked away hopeful and energized. This is a church that has come through a season of transition and is hungry for whats next. I met with volunteers, ministry staff, and leaders who are ready to support a new Student Pastorand genuinely excited to partner with someone who will lead with clarity and heart. With a younger student base (7th9th grade) and a great foundation of committed parents and volunteers, the next Student Pastor doesnt have to tear anything downthey get to build. This is a great opportunity for a shepherd-leader to create something fresh, lasting, and Christ-centered in a church thats saying, Were with you.

Brian Aaby (Senior Associate at Slingshot)

Check out what Lead Pastor Cory Pitts has to say to you..

A great match for this position would be:

• Shepherd: Brings a clear sense of calling and cares deeply for students. Builds trust, invests relationally, and leads with presence and grace.
• Equipper: Multiplies themselves by training and empowering volunteers, student leaders, and parents. Knows how to hand off meaningful ownership and grow a team.
• Creative Communicator: Teaches Gods Word in a way that connects with students and makes biblical truth relevant to real lifewhether on stage, in writing, or online.
• Activator: Takes vision and turns it into action. Doesnt wait for perfectstarts where things are and builds forward with energy and clarity.
• Change Manager: Leads with wisdom and emotional intelligence through seasons of change. Brings calm, clarity, and care when others feel uncertain.

About This Organization

St. Andrew Baptist Church is entering an exciting season of opportunity and growth. Known for biblical teaching, missions engagement, and community outreachespecially through the Center of Hopethis is a church with deep roots and a fresh sense of vision. Under the leadership of Senior Pastor Cory Pittsa former student pastor himselfSABC is moving toward a collaborative staff culture marked by trust, encouragement, and spiritual health. The student ministry is positioned for a new chapter of growth and impact, with a younger group of students ready to be discipled and developed in their faith.

Location

Ive lived in four different states, and the people here are the friendliest Ive known.Panama City offers the charm of coastal life with the warmth of a tight-knit community. With military families, long-time locals, and new residents all calling it home, its a place where ministry and relationships flourish.

Quote from: Rick Mitchell Administrative Pastor

Challenges and Opportunities

• Rebuilding Trust After Transition: After a long-term student pastor (16 years) and a short-term successor (78 months), the student ministry is eager for someone steady. The good news? The core students tied to the past have graduated, and the next generation is wide open to something new. Whats needed now is a leader who can build trust, bring clarity, and plant long-term roots.
• Younger Base, Long Runway:
• The ministrys strongest base right now is in 7th9th grade. This gives the new leader time to shape culture, establish rhythms, and walk with students over multiple years of growth.
• Solid Volunteers, Collaborative Team: The volunteer base is active and supportive. The broader staff cultureunder Corys leadershipis moving in a healthy direction marked by fun, trust, and development. This is a great place for someone who wants to lead but not lead alone.
• A Church that Follows Well: Theres still some nostalgia for how it used to be, but this congregation is ready for a new season. If you come with humility, clarity, and genuine love for people, theyll follow you into something new.

Staff Culture & Leadership

• This position will report to Senior Pastor Cory Pitts , who brings a background in student ministry and leads with a coaching mindset. Cory is intentional about building a healthy team cultureone thats supportive, developmental, and honest. Hes guiding the church through change with wisdom and steadiness, helping staff grow as people and leaders. This is a church where youll be cared for as much as you care for others. Youll also collaborate closely with ministry peers who genuinely enjoy doing life and ministry together.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for Student Ministry (Grades 712 and College).
• Build relationships with students and parents, fostering a culture of trust, discipleship, and fun.
• Recruit, train, and support adult leaders and student leaders for weekly gatherings and events.
• Teach the Bible in a way that connects with both churched and unchurched students.
• Oversee planning and execution of small groups, weekly programs, retreats, camps, and mission trips.
• Steward the student ministry budget and communication tools.
• Partner with Bridge (college/young adult ministry) leaders to support and engage that age group.
• Participate as a full member of the churchs pastoral staff team, contributing to the whole churchs direction.

Key Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum of 3 years in direct student ministry leadership; 5+ years preferred.
• Education: Bachelors degree required; seminary preferred.
• Leadership: Able to cast vision, develop strategy, and lead teams with clarity and purpose.
• Spiritual Maturity: A growing, grounded walk with Jesus and a clear call to student ministry.
• Communication: Capable teacher and communicator with strong interpersonal skills.
• Team Fit: Coachable, relational, and aligned with the churchs gospel-centered, Spirit-led, and team-first culture.

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