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 that’s 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 what’s next. I met with volunteers, ministry staff, and leaders who are ready to support a new Student Pastor—and genuinely excited to partner with someone who will lead with clarity and heart. With a younger student base (7th–9th grade) and a great foundation of committed parents and volunteers, the next Student Pastor doesn’t have to tear anything down—they get to build. This is a great opportunity for a shepherd-leader to create something fresh, lasting, and Christ-centered in a church that’s saying, “We’re 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 God’s Word in a way that connects with students and makes biblical truth relevant to real life—whether on stage, in writing, or online.
• Activator: Takes vision and turns it into action. Doesn’t wait for perfect—starts 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 outreach—especially through the Center of Hope—this is a church with deep roots and a fresh sense of vision. Under the leadership of Senior Pastor Cory Pitts—a former student pastor himself—SABC 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

“I’ve lived in four different states, and the people here are the friendliest I’ve 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, it’s 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 (7–8 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. What’s needed now is a leader who can build trust, bring clarity, and plant long-term roots.
• Younger Base, Long Runway:
• The ministry’s strongest base right now is in 7th–9th 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 culture—under Cory’s leadership—is 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:  There’s 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, they’ll 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 culture—one that’s supportive, developmental, and honest. He’s guiding the church through change with wisdom and steadiness, helping staff grow as people and leaders. This is a church where you’ll be cared for as much as you care for others. You’ll 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 7–12 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 church’s pastoral staff team, contributing to the whole church’s direction.

Key Qualifications 

• Experience: Minimum of 3 years in direct student ministry leadership; 5+ years preferred.
• Education: Bachelor’s 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 church’s gospel-centered, Spirit-led, and team-first culture.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs