Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries

First Presbyterian Church Evanston

Position Summary

The Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries provides vision, leadership, and pastoral care for FPCE’s ministries serving middle schoolers, high schoolers, college students, and graduate/professional students. This is a full-time, exempt position that combines hands-on relational ministry with strategic ministry, volunteer development, and cross-congregational collaboration. The Director will build an integrated continuum of ministry that forms young people in Christian faith, connects them meaningfully to the broader congregation and the wider world, and supports their transitions across key life stages.

Key Responsibilities

Youth Ministry (Middle School & High School)

  • Design, lead, and continuously improve weekly ministry for middle and high school students, including Sunday formation, midweek gatherings, and seasonal events.
  • Curate and implement a biblically grounded curriculum that engages the intellectual curiosity and real-life questions of adolescents.
  • Plan and lead retreats, mission trips, service projects, and summer ministry opportunities.
  • Recruit, train, mentor, and oversee a team of adult volunteers and youth leaders.
  • Provide pastoral care to students and, in partnership with families, support young people through the challenges of adolescence.
  • Coordinate confirmation in alignment with PC(USA) standards and FPCE’s theological identity.
  • Maintain regular communication with parents and guardians, fostering partnership between home and church.
  • Foster relationships with local church youth ministries for expanded ministry impact.
  • Ensure all programs meet child safety and safeguarding standards, including background checks and Safe Church policies.

Young Adult Ministry (College & Graduate School)

  • Build and sustain a meaningful community for undergraduate and graduate/professional students, including those affiliated with Northwestern University and neighboring institutions.
  • Develop ministry that addresses the spiritual, vocational, and communal needs of emerging adults, including worship, fellowship, Bible study, and service opportunities.
  • Establish and maintain partnerships with campus ministry organizations and chaplaincy offices in the Evanston area.
  • Create intentional pathways that connect young adults to the full life of the congregation and prevent the gap between youth group and adult church membership.
  • Provide spiritual direction and pastoral presence to young adults navigating questions of faith, identity, calling, and vocation.
  • Plan retreats, cohort conversations, and immersive experiences that deepen faith and build lasting community.

Congregational & Administrative Leadership

  • Report to FPCE’s Lead Pastor/Head of Staff.
  • Serve as a member of FPCE’s ministry staff team, participating in meetings, collaborating with the Director of Children and Families, the Our Children Our Families (OCOF) council, the Adult Discipleship council, and shared congregational life.
  • Develop and steward an annual budget for youth and young adult ministry in partnership with the Lead Pastor and Session.
  • Collaborate with other ministry areas, including worship, adult education, missions, and hospitality, to integrate young people into the broader congregation.
  • Prepare regular reports for the OCOF and Adult Discipleship councils on ministry activities, attendance, budget, and strategic direction.
  • Stay current with trends in adolescent development, young adult faith formation, and youth ministry best practices.

Qualifications

Required

  • Sincere, mature Christian faith and active commitment to the Reformed tradition and the ministries and mission of FPCE.
  • Bachelor’s degree required; Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Christian Education, or equivalent theological training strongly preferred.
  • Minimum of three years of experience in youth, campus, or young adult ministry, with demonstrated success in building community and ministry across age groups.
  • Exceptional relational skills with adolescents and emerging adults, including the ability to be both approachable and appropriately boundaried.
  • Strong communication skills in preaching, teaching, writing, and one-on-one pastoral conversation.
  • Proven ability to recruit, equip, and sustain volunteers and lay leaders.
  • Commitment to child and youth safeguarding best practices.
  • Valid driver’s license and ability to transport students for off-site activities.
  • Ability to climb stairs and lift approximately 35 pounds.

Preferred

  • Experience in a university-adjacent or theologically diverse ministry context.
  • Familiarity with Evanston community organizations, schools, and Northwestern University.
  • Proficiency with digital communication platforms such as Planning Center and social media for ministry use.