Snapshot

Denomination: Wesleyan Covenant Association

Weekly Attendance: 2,100

Location: Durham, North Carolina

The Role: Next Gen Pastor

Meet NewHope Church:

NewHope Church is a significant regional church in the heart of the Carolinas. The church was founded in 2002 and has seen remarkable growth over the years. NewHope is well known for its relevant biblical teaching, upbeat and contemporary worship, missional outreach, life group gatherings in homes, excellent children’s programs, and high-impact student ministries.

We have a dream, a vision, a calling to spread the gospel of Christ through our contemporary church services. Our prayer is that our community of faith be a beacon of love and HOPE for anyone who is seeking, looking for answers in this crazy world. We dream of a church with dedicated followers who are compelled to actively lead others on their journey to salvation. We want people to come expecting to encounter Christ, to build a relationship with Him, and to be engaged with others to build redemptive relationships. Our pastors and church staff are here to help disciple our NewHope family so that everyone can engage in serving with their God-given strengths and talents.

More than anything, NewHope church is what you would call, “A GOD THING!” In twenty years, NewHope has grown to a community of faith impacting across the Carolinas and beyond. No doubt, that really is the best way to describe what has happened! In the church’s short time of existence, NewHope has grown to a community of faith of thousands of people who regularly attend one of our Worship Celebrations, Sunday in Durham, and online. 

NewHope welcomed the second Senior Pastor in the church’s history, Adam Bishop, in June of 2023. In just a short amount of time the church has already grown, with 400 to 500 more people attending each Sunday from the previous year. NewHope Worship has also written and published four new worship songs that are being released to the church at large in 2024. God is doing a new work at NewHope and the best days are certainly ahead!

About the Next Gen Pastor:

NewHope Church is seeking a passionate and dynamic Next Gen Pastor to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive community for children, students, and young adults.  In this role, you will lead engaging and impactful weekly gatherings, provide intentional discipleship, develop and implement creative and innovative programs, and build strong relationships with volunteers and other ministry leaders to create a cohesive and supportive team.

The Next Gen Pastor's Responsibilities Include: 

Lead & Develop:

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for all Next Gen ministries (Kids, Students, Young Adults).
• Develop and empower a high-performing team of staff and key volunteers.
• Cultivate a culture of coaching, mentorship, and discipleship within the Next Gen team and among students and parents.
• Oversee the development and implementation of effective training programs, systems, and engaging programs for all age groups, integrating spiritual, educational, social, and service opportunities.

Ministry Excellence:

• Model and champion a biblical worldview in all aspects of Next Gen ministry.
• Develop and oversee policies and procedures that ensure the safety, well-being, and spiritual growth of all Next Gen participants.
• Create and maintain a healthy and supportive environment that empowers families to thrive in their faith at home.
• Stay informed about current cultural trends and their impact on young people, adapting ministry strategies accordingly.

Leadership & Collaboration:

• Think strategically and creatively to identify and implement innovative ministry initiatives.
• Foster strong collaborative relationships with other church leaders and departments.
• Effectively communicate ministry vision, goals, and successes to the church body.
• Represent Next Gen ministries at church events and other external venues as needed.

Resource Management:

• Manage and oversee the budgets and administrative needs of all Next Gen ministries.
• Ensure efficient and effective utilization of resources to maximize ministry impact.

Relational Focus:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with parents, students, and volunteers.
• Create opportunities for meaningful dialogue and authentic relationships within small groups and one-on-one settings.
• Cultivate an evangelistic mindset and equip Next Gen staff and volunteers to share their faith effectively.

Leadership Development:

• Naturally gather people and inspire others to lead.
• Develop and empower the next generation of leaders within the Next Gen ministry.

What You Bring: 

Education & Credentials

• Required: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution
• Preferred: Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Divinity (MDiv) from an accredited seminary

Experience

• Required: 3-5 years of experience leading in a large children's or student ministry environment 
• Preferred: Experience with curriculum development, volunteer recruitment and training, programming, public speaking.

Skills

• Required:
• Technical: Proficiency in social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)
• Communication: Exemplary oral and written communication, including strong public speaking and presentation skills
• Analytical & Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze data, assess needs, and develop effective strategies

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deeply committed to evangelism and reaching unchurched young people.
• Proven success in building thriving and healthy ministries.
• Skilled in leading engaging and dynamic weekly worship services for large groups.
• Exceptional ability to recruit, train, and empower a dedicated and effective volunteer team.
• Proven track record of fostering strong and positive relationships through excellent communication.
• Experienced in building meaningful partnerships with local schools and community organizations to serve families within the community.

Faith & Commitment

• A strong and unwavering faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
• Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing personal spiritual growth and development.
• Exemplifies the highest standards of Christian leadership within NewHope Church.
• Fully supports and adheres to the theological foundations of NewHope Church.
• Prioritizes the mission of NewHope Church in all decisions and actions.
• Cultivates strong and collaborative relationships with fellow staff members.
• Fully embraces and lives out the 12 core values of the NewHope Church staff team.

What it's Like to Live in Durham, North Carolina: 

Durham is a dense suburban city in North Carolina consisting of a population of about 270,000. The Durham community is one of the most culturally diverse areas in North Carolina, offering many various dining and entertainment experiences for all to enjoy. The city is perfect for families as well as young professionals, many people are moving to the area to take advantage of access to higher education, affordable real estate, and many family amenities. Durham is situated between the beach and the mountains, with each being just a couple of hours away. For those who enjoy the urban feel, downtown nightlife and restaurants will not disappoint. There are many urban trails for jogging and biking. For those who enjoy the countryside relaxation, within the outskirts are many parks and landscapes. Durham is also home to nationally ranked college and professional sports such as Duke, UNC, and Durham Bulls Baseball. Because of the great cultural diversity of this community, anyone and everyone is welcome and is guaranteed to find their fun.