NextGen Team Lead - Student Ministry

NEXTGEN TEAM LEAD

Hillside Fellowship

Family Ministries  |  Full-Time  |  Exempt

Reports To: Director of Family Ministries

Schedule: Sunday - Thursday, with regular evening and weekend responsibilities

Benefits: As outlined in the Hillside Fellowship Personnel Handbook

ROLE SUMMARY

Hillside Fellowship believes that Jesus Changes Everything! Our mission is that we exist to worship God, by proclaiming Jesus, making disciples, rooted in the Word of God, empowered by the Spirit of God. Discipleship is a byproduct, as we know and make much of Jesus.

The NextGen Team Lead serves under the direction of the Director of Family Ministries to lead the day-to-day ministry of NextGen by implementing the vision and strategy while providing spiritual leadership to middle and high school students, their families, and volunteer leaders. This role helps create environments where students are known, rooted in God’s Word, connected in authentic community, and encouraged to follow Jesus throughout every stage of their faith journey.

As a key member of the Family Ministries team, this role contributes to the health and effectiveness of the ministry by shepherding students, developing leaders, strengthening ministry systems, and cultivating engaging, gospel-centered ministry environments where students and families are encouraged to know Jesus, grow in their faith, and live on mission. This role leads the ministry through a strong volunteer leadership structure while also helping establish the systems and foundation needed for future ministry and staff growth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

NextGen Vision + Ministry Strategy

• Partner with the Director of Family Ministries to implement the vision, priorities, and strategic direction for NextGen Student Ministries in alignment with Hillside Fellowship’s mission, vision, values, and Family Ministries strategy
• Lead the day-to-day execution of NextGen Student Ministries initiatives, ensuring consistency, excellence, and alignment across ministry environments
• Evaluate ministry effectiveness and proactively identify opportunities to strengthen discipleship, student engagement, and volunteer effectiveness
• Strengthen and refine ministry systems that support healthy, scalable, and sustainable ministry
• Demonstrate strategic thinking by anticipating ministry needs, identifying challenges, and implementing thoughtful, people-centered solutions

Team + Volunteer Leadership Development

• Identify, recruit, develop, disciple, and support volunteer leaders who shepherd students with wisdom, consistency, and Christlike character
• Equip volunteers through training, coaching, encouragement, and ministry resources that strengthen their effectiveness in discipling students
• Foster a healthy leadership culture marked by humility, ownership, encouragement, accountability, and spiritual maturity
• Establish clear expectations, healthy ministry rhythms, and consistent communication that equips volunteers to lead confidently
• Build a sustainable leadership pipeline by identifying and developing emerging adult and student leaders
• Partner with the Director of Family Ministries to assess staffing needs and, as the ministry develops, help establish a NextGen staff structure that supports healthy and sustainable ministry
• Provide leadership, development, coaching, and accountability to NextGen staff as positions are established and filled

Student Discipleship + Ministry Leadership

• Lead the overall discipleship strategy for middle and high school students, helping them grow toward maturity in Christ through biblical teaching, authentic relationships, and intentional spiritual formation
• Build meaningful relationships with students by maintaining a consistent presence in their lives and creating opportunities for discipleship, encouragement, and spiritual growth
• Partner with parents by providing encouragement, communication, and resources that support the discipleship of students within the home
• Lead and contribute to the teaching ministry of NextGen Student Ministries by faithfully communicating God’s Word in ways that are biblically grounded, engaging, and relevant to students
• Encourage students to discover and use their gifts through serving, leadership development, missions, and active participation in the life of the church
• Provide spiritual care, prayer, encouragement, and biblical guidance to students and families while partnering with other pastors and ministry leaders as appropriate

Ministry Environments + Engagement

• Provide leadership for weekly gatherings, small groups, retreats, camps, mission trips, and other NextGen ministry opportunities
• Ensure ministry environments are safe, welcoming, engaging, and aligned with Hillside Fellowship's mission, vision, and values
• Ensure all child protection, screening, and safety policies are consistently implemented and maintained throughout NextGen Student Ministries
• Maintain an active presence in ministry gatherings, serving alongside volunteer leaders and providing support as ministry needs arise
• Collaborate with the Hillside Kids Team Lead to create intentional transition pathways that help students successfully move from Hillside Kids into NextGen Student Ministries

Financial Stewardship + Ministry Oversight

• Develop and manage the NextGen Student Ministries budget, stewarding resources wisely and in alignment with ministry priorities
• Regularly review budget performance, practice good stewardship, and seek guidance as needed to support ministry goals
• Monitor ministry expenses and resource allocation throughout the year, making adjustments as needed to support effective stewardship and ministry priorities
• Assess future ministry needs and provide recommendations regarding resources, facilities, and other investments needed to support healthy ministry growth

Collaboration + Churchwide Alignment

• Partner with the Director of Family Ministries and other ministry leaders to support a unified vision for discipleship across Hillside Fellowship
• Collaborate with other ministry areas to create intentional opportunities for students and families to engage in the broader life of the church
• Participate in churchwide planning, leadership development, events, and initiatives that strengthen the mission and culture of Hillside Fellowship

Additional Responsibilities

• This role may include additional responsibilities as needed to support the mission and leadership of Hillside Fellowship, with the scope of ministry growing and adapting as organizational needs change

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Faith + Character

• Demonstrates a maturing relationship with Jesus Christ and embodies the culture and values of Hillside Fellowship (Galatians 5:22-23)
• Must be a member of Hillside Fellowship or willing to pursue membership within six months of hire
• Demonstrates a commitment to Hillside Fellowship’s mission, vision, and values
• Demonstrates a passion for discipling students, equipping leaders, and partnering with families
• Models humility, wisdom, integrity, emotional maturity, and a servant-hearted approach to ministry leadership

Education + Experience

• Bachelor's degree in ministry, theology, biblical studies, education, or a related field preferred; equivalent ministry training and experience may be considered
• Minimum of three years of student ministry leadership experience required, including experience leading and developing volunteers
• Experience teaching God's Word, developing leaders, and shepherding students and families required
• Experience developing ministry teams and emerging leaders preferred

Skills + Competencies

• Demonstrates strong leadership, teaching, relational, and communication skills
• Demonstrates strong organizational and strategic planning skills with careful attention to detail and consistent follow-through
• Demonstrates the ability to lead through others, delegate appropriately, and develop healthy ministry leaders
• Exercises emotional maturity, relational wisdom, sound judgment, and discretion when serving students, families, volunteers, and staff
• Demonstrates initiative, adaptability, and resourcefulness in responding to changing ministry needs
• Demonstrates proficiency with Microsoft 365, Planning Center, church management systems (ChMS), and other communication and collaboration tools
• Ability to maintain MinistrySafe certification is required
• Ability to pass a background check is required