Job Board

Youth and Children's Ministry

Youth Pastor

Crossroads Church Monticello Illinois
Posted: 07/01/2026
Salary/Range: $50,0000
Location
Monticello, IL
Description:

Who We Are

Crossroads Church is a come-as-you-are church full of youthful families and deeply committed to our mission of helping people love God and love others through faith in Jesus Christ. We are passionate about being involved in our community and creating a welcoming place where people from every stage of life and every point along their spiritual journey can belong and grow. At Crossroads, we seek to help people journey with Jesus through our discipleship pathway of Gather, Grow, and Go; encouraging people to encounter God and connect with one another, become more like Jesus, and serve others both locally and globally.

Our Mission Field

Monticello, IL is a welcoming and growing small town in East Central Illinois known for strong schools, a safe community, and a family friendly atmosphere. Located between Decatur and Champaign-Urbana, it offers small town living with convenient access to larger city resources and opportunities.

Our History

Crossroads Church began in 2004 when several local families partnered with Grace Church in Mahomet, IL to plant a church in Monticello. The church quickly grew from meeting in a hotel to moving into its current facility in 2007. Through every chapter of its story, Crossroads has remained committed to helping people meet, know, and follow Jesus.

pastedGraphic.png

Role Summary

The Youth Pastor leads and develops the student ministry (middle school and high school) in alignment with the mission and discipleship pathway of Crossroads Church. 

This role centers on helping students follow Jesus in a real and growing way as they learn to walk with him personally and together with others. The aim is to see students become mature disciples of Jesus who are rooted in the gospel, engaged in the life of the church, and prepared to follow Christ faithfully into the next season of life.

Key Areas of Responsibility

1. Spiritual formation oversight through the Gather, Grow, and Go discipleship pathway

  • Students who are exploring faith are welcomed to gather, experience community, and begin considering the claims of Christ.
  • Students who trust in Jesus learn to gather and grow, developing spiritual foundations and rhythms of walking with him.
  • Students who are maturing are challenged to gather, grow, and go, stepping into ownership, service, and emerging leadership.

2. Weekly gatherings leadership

  • Plan and lead weekly student gatherings that are biblically grounded and engaging.
  • Provide both outreach-oriented and discipleship-focused environments.
  • Create spaces where students feel welcomed, known, and connected.
  • Ensure teaching is clear, relevant, and faithful to Scripture.

3. Adult leader development

  • Recruit, train, and shepherd a team of adult leaders to assist in the ministry.
  • Equip leaders to build relationships, disciple students, and lead effectively.

4. Community presence and outreach

  • Build relationships with students “where they live” in the community, including schools and local events.
  • Create discipleship environments that are accessible to unchurched students.
  • Encourage students to live on mission in their everyday lives.

5. Parent partnership

  • Partner with parents as the primary spiritual influencers in their students’ lives.
  • Communicate clearly and consistently with families.
  • Provide encouragement and support as families disciple their students.

6. Ministry communication

  • Cultivate healthy and ongoing communication with students and parents through appropriate personal, digital, and social media interaction. 
  • Regularly share meaningful updates and testimonies of what God is doing within the student ministry with church leadership and the broader church body. 

7. General pastoral responsibilities

  • Participate in the overall ministry life of the church.
  • Collaborate with staff and leadership to advance the mission.
  • Preach or teach occasionally as opportunities arise.
  • Support the development of Crossroads Life Groups (small groups) in alignment with the church’s discipleship pathway. 

8. Next generation ministry development (Future growth)

  • As the student ministry becomes healthy and established, begin exploring opportunities for broader next generation ministry development, including ministry to young adults (college age and early career) and young couples. 
  • Identify and develop leaders who can effectively lead these ministries in alignment with the church’s disciple making mission. 

pastedGraphic.png

Qualifications

Character and Calling

  • A clear and growing relationship with Jesus Christ
  • A sense of calling to student or next generation ministry
  • Demonstrates humility, integrity, and relational maturity

Competency

  • Ability to teach and communicate Scripture clearly and faithfully
  • Strong relational skills with students, parents, and teams
  • Proven ability to recruit, develop, and lead others
  • Self-motivated with strong initiative and follow through
  • Collaborative spirit within a team environment 

Education

  • Biblical or theological training preferred, though equivalent ministry experience will be considered. 

Alignment

  • Willingness to serve within the vision, values, leadership, and ministry philosophy of Crossroads Church
  • Agreement with the doctrinal position of Crossroads Church and the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches (FEC)
  • Comfortable serving within the reformed-leaning, baptistic, and complementarian convictions of Crossroads Church

Role Expectations

Schedule and Participation 

  • Full-time commitment (approximately 40 hours per week)
  • Regular presence at corporate worship and student ministry gatherings
  • Flexible schedule including many evenings
  • Active participation in staff meetings and ministry planning

Pastoral Development

This role includes intentional development alongside ministry responsibility. The Youth Pastor will:

  • Receive ongoing coaching and support from the Senior Pastor
  • Gain experience in vision, leadership development, teaching, and shepherding
  • Grow as a well-rounded pastor while leading student ministry
  • Be entrusted with increasing responsibility as capacity and trust develop
  • Develop in ways shaped by both the needs of the church and personal gifting

Reporting Structure

  • Reports directly to the Senior Pastor
  • Works in collaboration with staff and under the spiritual oversight of the elders

Additional operational expectations, ministry procedures, and administrative responsibilities will be clarified during the interview and onboarding process. 

Compensation

  • Full-time compensation package including salary, health benefits, paid time off, and ministry expense support. Specific details available during the interview process. 

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following:

  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • Brief testimony and statement of calling to ministry
  • Links to teaching samples, if available
  • References upon request

Please email materials and inquiries to: [email protected]

To Apply: Mike Brewer cell 217-480-6737