Next Gen Pastor/Youth

First Baptist Church - Fernandina Beach, FL

Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, USA

Published: 6/14/2022

Job Description

The NextGen Pastor will lead and develop a comprehensive strategy for discipling the next generation—from kids to students to families—within the life of the church. This role is responsible for building a healthy, growing ministry that reaches unchurched families, strengthens biblical foundations, and creates clear pathways for spiritual growth. The ideal candidate is a visionary leader who can think strategically, execute effectively, and build teams that foster both numerical growth and deep discipleship, all while aligning with the church’s mission, theology, and culture. Provide vision, leadership, and execution for a thriving NextGen ministry (kids, students, families) that drives discipleship, engagement, and measurable growth. Build intentional pathways to reach unchurched students and families, creating environments where they connect, belong, and grow in their faith. Collaborate with pastoral, ministry and staff leaders to align Next Gen strategy with the overall mission of creating disciples and hitting growth goals of the church.

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Why We Love This Opportunity

What draws me to this opportunity is the chance to build something that is both deeply rooted and genuinely impactful. I’m energized by the combination of strong biblical conviction, clear structure, and a culture that values real community—because that’s the kind of environment where lasting discipleship actually happens. The vision for reaching kids, students, and families isn’t just about maintaining programs, but about creating intentional pathways for growth and connection, and that aligns closely with how I’m wired as a leader.

I also love the opportunity to serve in a church that has a wide cultural range—where “suits and flip flops” can coexist—and where people are welcomed as they are while being challenged to grow. The stability of a congregational, committee-supported structure combined with a relational, Southern culture creates a unique platform to build something that lasts. Add to that the setting of Fernandina Beach—a place where families are putting down roots and community still matters—and it feels like a place where I could invest deeply, lead strategically, and see long-term fruit in the lives of the next generation.

A great match for this position would be:

A great match for this position is a leader who is both strategic and steady, able to build a thriving NextGen ministry while honoring the church’s convictional and relational culture. They are theologically aligned and culturally comfortable in a traditional Southern Baptist context, leading with clarity and confidence without constantly pushing against established values. They are a builder of people and systems, capable of creating clear discipleship pathways while recruiting, developing, and empowering volunteers. They lead through relational influence, not ego, earning trust with staff, families, and lay leaders over time while keeping the mission front and center.

Theologically aligned with Baptist Faith & Message (2000) and complementarian in conviction
Comfortable in a traditional, Southern, and politically conservative cultural context
Proven ability to build and grow kids, student, and family ministries with measurable impact
Strong recruiter and developer of volunteer leaders and teams
Strategic thinker who can create clear discipleship pathways, not just run programs
Relational leader who builds trust and leads through influence within a structured environment
Team player who collaborates well with staff and works within congregational and committee systems
Committed to long-term ministry, valuing consistency, stability, and lasting fruit over quick wins

About This Organization

Located along the scenic coastline of Fernandina Beach, Florida, First Baptist Church Fernandina Beach (FBFirst) is a growing, multi-campus church rooted in a long-standing presence in the North Florida community while continuing to expand its reach today. With its Island Campus just minutes from the beach and a second campus in Central Nassau, the church is strategically positioned to serve both coastal residents and surrounding inland communities.

Grounded in a mission to “glorify God by…making and equipping disciples,” FBFirst blends a rich history of faithful ministry with a forward-looking vision, engaging people of all ages through worship, discipleship, and community outreach. As it continues to grow, the church is focused on reaching families, students, and individuals across the region—locally and beyond—by fostering a culture of connection, spiritual formation, and gospel-centered impact.

Location

Fernandina Beach sits on the northern end of Amelia Island along Florida’s Atlantic coast, blending a laid-back beach lifestyle with the feel of a historic Southern town. The area is known for its 13 miles of beaches, walkable historic downtown, and slower pace of life that attracts both young families and retirees. Demographically, the community leans older, established, and family-oriented, with a strong percentage of homeowners, veterans, and long-term residents. The population is generally affluent and highly educated, with median household incomes near six figures and over half of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The culture of the area carries a distinct North Florida/South Georgia tone—conservative, community-minded, and relational. Nassau County schools are regarded as strong compared to much of Florida, making the area attractive for families seeking both quality education and a safe coastal environment. While Fernandina Beach offers a high quality of life, the popularity of Amelia Island has driven housing costs upward in recent years, especially near the beach and historic district, though it remains more affordable than many larger coastal markets in Florida. Residents enjoy a unique combination of small-town familiarity, coastal recreation, Southern hospitality, and proximity to Jacksonville, giving the community both charm and accessibility.

Staff Culture

A relational, high-trust, and conviction-driven staff culture that moves with urgency, executes with excellence, and values long-term alignment and faithfulness as much as strong relationships and meaningful collaboration.

Key Characteristics:

Aligned around clear theological conviction and shared ministry philosophy
Collaborative within a structured, committee-informed environment
Relational, low-ego team dynamic that values trust and loyalty
Emphasis on faithfulness, consistency, and long-term ministry impact
Leadership driven by influence, trust-building, and relational credibility
Clear ownership of roles with alignment to the overall mission

A team member will thrive on staff as someone who:

Values team over platform
Can navigate structure without frustration
Builds trust naturally with both staff and lay leaders
Is secure enough not to need constant spotlight
Plays the long game in ministry

Key Responsibilities

Communication of biblical messages for the purpose of making disciples of Christ in alignment with Baptist Faith and Message.
Develop and execute a clear, scalable strategy for Next Gen ministry growth, including attendance, volunteer pipeline, and discipleship pathways.
Create systems that increase student and family engagement, retention, and first-time guest follow-up.
Equip leaders and communicate effectively in large and small group environments, delivering engaging, relevant, and biblically sound teaching.
Coach, train, mentor and empower those in the pastoral calling pipeline.
Accountable for tracking clear metrics (attendance, salvations, baptisms, volunteer growth, small group participation).
Cast vision that mobilizes students, parents, and volunteers toward active participation and ownership.
Own the full Next Gen ministry calendar, ensuring high-quality, well-executed weekly services, events, and environments.
Design and lead impactful experiences (camps, retreats, outreach events) that drive spiritual growth and connection while creating more disciples.
Build, train, and multiply a strong volunteer leadership team with clear roles, expectations, and accountability.
Manage ministry budget with a focus on stewardship, impact, and growth initiatives.
Select and implement relevant, engaging curriculum that connects families.
Partner cross-functionally to create dynamic worship tailored to students.
Collaborate across ministries to integrate students into broader church community.
Build strong relationships with students and parents, provide leadership, care, and consistent communication.
Actively contribute to staff culture, leadership alignment, and initiatives.
Drive discipleship, innovation and continuous improvement within the Next Gen ministry.

Key Qualifications

Demonstrates a vital, growing relationship with Jesus Christ and alignment with biblical leadership standards.
Doctrinal, methodological, and philosophical alignment with Baptist Faith & Message, as well as Pastoral leadership.
Meets biblical qualifications of Church leadership (1 Timothy 3:1-13).
Passion for reaching and discipling the next generation in a rapidly changing culture.
Commitment to the mission, vision, and worship philosophy of FB First.
Maintain healthy leadership of own family, leading them to engage in the larger ministry of the Church.
Proven ability to lead, grow, and scale teams and ministries.
Strong relational intelligence with students, parents, and volunteers across diverse backgrounds.
Ability to engage and lead across multiple generations and demographics.
High ownership mindset with strong execution and follow-through.
Comfortable leveraging technology, social media, and modern tools to reach and engage students.
Strong planning and execution of events, services, and ministry environments.

For more information, please contact Phil Christian, Executive Recruiter, at pchristian@slingshotgroup.org