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High School Pastor - SeaCoast Grace Church
Cypress, California, United States
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Non - Denominational

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE: 3,500

Meet SeaCoast Grace Church

SeaCoast Grace Church is a vibrant, growing, and highly visible church community in Cypress, California, known for its energetic culture, polished weekend experiences, and strong emphasis on helping people take meaningful next steps in their faith. Built around the mission that Jesus changes everything, Live Differently, and send it. SCG has cultivated a ministry philosophy that combines high-engagement programming with a clear call to discipleship, service, and spiritual transformation. Under the leadership of Pastor Cody Surratt, the church places a significant value on excellence, creativity, and intentional environments that help individuals and families feel welcomed, inspired, and connected.

SeaCoast Grace is especially known for creating dynamic ministry environments across every stage of life. From highly energetic student ministries and young adult gatherings to discipleship cohorts, community outreach initiatives, and specialized ministries like Champions Club for individuals with special needs, the church demonstrates a broad commitment to reaching and serving people in tangible ways. Their ministry culture reflects both a strong belief in biblical teaching and a confidence that the local church should be a transformational force within the community.

In addition to its weekend worship experiences, SCG has expanded its impact through educational initiatives such as SCG Christian Preschool and SCG Christian School, reinforcing its long-term vision of shaping families and the next generation through both spiritual formation and academic development. The church carries a strong sense of identity, momentum, and vision, seeking to create memorable ministry experiences while calling people toward authentic faith, biblical discipleship, and active participation in the mission of Jesus.

About the High School Pastor

The High School Pastor role at SeaCoast Grace Church is a crucial Key Contributor position tasked with leading a ministry that currently sees about 225 high school students each week.

The High School Pastor's responsibilities include:

Ministry Leadership and Management

  • Staff and Budget: Report directly to the Student Ministries Pastor, oversee one direct report, and manage an annual high school ministry budget of $23,500.
  • Strategic Vision: Implement innovative practices while keeping the ministry anchored to the church's core theological and cultural alignments. The pastor must ensure the ministry maintains an intentional blend of programming aimed at both evangelism and spiritual growth.

Volunteer Development

  • Recruit and Train: Act as a galvanizer with the strong capacity to recruit and develop volunteer leaders.
  • Resource Leaders: The small group structure is considered the engine of the ministry. While the pastor will regularly teach and connect directly with students, their primary leadership call is prioritizing volunteer development and resourcing small group leaders.

Teaching and Weekly Programming

  • Mid-Week Service: Lead the weekly high school service that begins at 7:15 PM. The service format includes 20 minutes of worship, a 25-minute message, and 25 minutes of small group discussion, with occasional games incorporated.
  • Balanced Teaching: Deliver messages that provide a balanced approach of deep biblical accuracy and practical life application. The pastor must also ensure ministry time is equally split between fellowship/fun and dedicated time for spiritual disciplines.

Event Planning and Outreach

  • Linger Longers: Organize approximately 25 after-service events throughout the year designed to get students to linger around longer. These events can be simple (offering hot foods and drinks) or organized activities like dodgeball and karaoke
  • Large Outreach Events: Execute four major events per year designed as primary outreach points to gather as many students as possible. For example, the Fall Kick Off event can draw over 500 students.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the High School Pastor:

Education and Experience

  • The ideal candidate for the High School Pastor position must have a Bachelor's degree.
  • Additionally, they should have at least 5 years of ministry experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Firm theological alignment with the church, including a traditional view of marriage and human sexuality, practicing believer's baptism, and viewing the Scriptures as inspired, inerrant, and infallible.
  • An open but skeptical view of charismatic spiritual gifts, which must match the church's exact stance, as well as a soft egalitarian view of women in leadership. Woman can be in leadership positions but are not to be elders or the lead pastor. 
  • Strong administrative and leadership capabilities to manage a growing ministry. The high school group currently sees about 225 students weekly, and the previous pastor struggled because the size of the ministry exceeded his organizational abilities.
  • The ability to design an intentional blend of programming that balances evangelism with spiritual growth, and the ability to implement innovative practices while maintaining the church's core traditions.

What it's like to live in Cypress, CA

Living in Cypress offers the best of Southern California living. A safe, family-friendly suburban community with easy access to some of the region’s most iconic destinations. Known for its excellent schools, clean neighborhoods, and relaxed atmosphere, Cypress provides a comfortable place to raise a family while staying connected to the energy and opportunities of Orange County.

One of the biggest draws is location. Residents are just a short drive from the beaches of Orange County, making weekend surf trips, sunsets by the ocean, and coastal living part of everyday life. Cypress is also located near Disneyland Resort and Knott's Berry Farm, giving families year-round access to world-class entertainment, dining, and attractions. You have your choice of multiple airports for travel to and from Southern California.

The city itself leans quieter and more residential, which many families appreciate, while still offering quick access to the broader Southern California lifestyle of sunshine, outdoor activities, great food, and a vibrant cultural atmosphere. Many residents find the combination of safety, convenience, beaches, and classic SoCal living an easy place to call home.


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