ANCHOR CHURCH PALOS

STUDENT/ASSISTANT PASTOR

ABOUT THE CHURCH

The mission of Anchor Palos is to glorify God by making disciples of Christ in a healthy spiritual community.  We express this mission through the 4 Pillars, which govern everything we do in every area of ministry. 

Anchor Church Palos is looking to hire godly, gifted, passionate leaders to further the Gospel and build up the church to maturity.  Anchor Palos is a church based on 4 Pillars:

  • Proclaiming the authority of God’s Word without apology (2 Timothy 4:2).

  • Lifting High the name of Jesus in worship (John 4:24).

  • Believing firmly in the power of prayer (Ephesians 6:18).

  • Sharing the good news of Jesus with boldness (Ephesians 6:19-20).

Anchor is a regional church in the southwest suburbs of Chicago.  Around 350 people worship with them on Sundays, and on average, 30-50 students meet on Sunday nights. As a church, they love to make disciples, preach the Word, serve the community, strengthen families, plant churches, develop leaders, and bless the nations.

Student/Assistant Pastor

Position

Anchor Church Palos

Church

Palos Heights, IL

Location

275 in-person | 125 online

Attendance

Website

Senior Pastor

Reports to

ABOUT THE LOCATION

Palos Heights is a southwest suburb of Chicago, sitting about 40 minutes from the downtown area. Palos is surrounded by established communities that have great school systems and safe neighborhoods. The area is predominantly Catholic, but residents can find multiple denominations of churches nearby. Residents are largely blue-collar, hard-working people who value authentic relationships.

Living in this area provides proximity to the 3rd largest city in America. The opportunities to do ministry and enjoy cultural experiences abound. Palos Heights is a great place to serve the Lord, raise a family, and reach the nations for the glory of Christ.

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL

ABOUT THE ROLE

Anchor Church is seeking a pastor to lead and grow its student ministry while also providing Sunday ministry oversight and assistant pastor support in adult and family ministry.

The primary focus is overseeing junior high and high school ministries (30–50 students), including weekly teaching, developing a volunteer team, and implementing a clear discipleship pathway that reflects Anchor's four pillars. The role also includes planning events, camps, and mission opportunities, cultivating a culture of prayer and worship, and maintaining strong communication with parents and staff.

In addition, the pastor will oversee select Sunday morning ministries, developing leaders and strengthening systems for excellence and accountability. The role includes assistant pastor responsibilities such as shepherding, counseling, small groups, visitation, weddings, funerals, and hospital care.

  • Student Ministry

    • Teach at weekly youth meetings (junior high and high school, currently 30-50 students).

    • Recruit, train, and mentor a student ministry team to:

      • Make disciples who Worship, Walk, Work, and Witness for Christ.

      • Build the 4 pillars of Anchor Palos into student ministry.

      • Plan monthly events, periodic mission trips, and winter/summer camps.

    Desired Outcomes:

    • High-caliber biblical teaching in student ministries.

    • Cultivating a sincere, Spirit-led culture of prayer and worship among students.

    • Creativity and teamwork in event preparation.

    • Timely event promotion and event execution with excellence

    • A clear discipleship process is being followed consistently for each student.

    • The ministry team is being developed and managed skillfully.

    • Excellent communication with parents.

    • Effective collaboration with other staff members.

    Assistant Pastor/Adult Ministry

    • Handling some family counseling/soul-care appointments.

    • Handling some adult ministry responsibilities (small groups, events, outreach).

    • Handling some shepherding and visitation.

      • Weddings.

      • Funerals.

      • Hospital visitation.

    Desired Outcomes:

    • Better shepherding and discipleship of God’s people.

    • Oversee some Sunday morning ministries.

      • Examples include tech, worship (if skilled), and/or other Sunday teams and events.

    • Coach, encourage, and develop leaders and ministries on Sunday morning.

    Desired Outcomes:

    • Better oversight of ministries on Sunday morning.

    • Better leader development, support, and accountability.

    • Preferably, full-time church ministry experience.  

    • Preferably a bachelor’s or master’s degree in ministry or biblical studies.   

    • Great teaching skills.  Able to preach in ways that spur teenagers on in their devotion to Christ.  

    • Good management skills.  Able to inspire confidence in a professional environment, stay organized, set goals, and communicate effectively.

    • Highly relational.  Able to relate effectively to parents, teenagers, team members, adults, and other staff members.  

    • Track record of leadership.  Able to cast a compelling vision, rally others to work for Christ, and help others mature in faith.  

    • Above reproach. Enjoying an extended season of victory in all areas of life.  No disqualifying events or behaviors in the past or present.    

FIVE C’S OF A GREAT FIT

  • Above reproach, spiritually mature, and joyfully walking in obedience to Christ.

  • Deeply relational, humble, and trusted by students, parents, and church leaders.

CHARACTER

  • Holds a clear calling to disciple the next generation within the local church.

  • Desire to serve as a shepherd-leader in both student ministry and broader church life.

  • Heart to advance the Gospel in a relational, suburban, blue-collar context.

CALLING

  • Prior experience in church or student ministry; full-time ministry experience preferred.

  • Theological training at the bachelor’s or master’s level (seminary preferred, not required).

  • Elder-qualified according to 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

CREDENTIALS

  • Biblically faithful teacher who engages and disciples junior high and high school students.

  • Proven ability to recruit, train, and develop ministry teams.

  • Strong organizational skills with flexibility to manage events and evolving responsibilities.

COMPETENCIES

  • Wholehearted alignment with Anchor Palos’ 4 Pillars: Word, Worship, Prayer, and Witness.

  • Thrives in an elder-led, team-oriented, discipleship-driven church environment.

  • Values healthy families, authentic relationships, and long-term ministry impact.

CULTURE

APPLY HERE