Young Adults and Youth Pastor -- New Heights Church, Richland, WA

New Heights Church

Young Adults & Youth Pastor

Richland,Washington

New Heights Church is looking for a relational, high-energy leader to invest in students (6th-12th grade) and young adults (18-25), helping them grow in their faith and navigate lifes big transitions. This is a chance to build something meaningfulleading a youth ministry thats fun, engaging, and discipleship-driven while also launching a young adult ministry where real community and spiritual growth happen. With a growing church, a supportive Lead Pastor, and a solid foundation of biblical teaching, this is an incredible opportunity to shape the future of NextGen ministry at New Heights. If you love discipling students, developing leaders, and creating spaces where young people can grow in Christ, this is the kind of role where you can make a real impact.

Why I Love This Opportunity

This is an incredible chance to step into a growing church and build something from the ground up. With strong support from the Lead Pastor, the new Youth and Young Adults Pastor will have the freedom to shape the culture, establish traditions, and create a thriving ministry for students and young adults. Add in the Tri-Cities endless opportunities for adventuremountains, rivers, lakes, and sportsand this is the perfect place to do life and ministry in a way thats both meaningful and fun.

• Brian Aaby // Senior Associate

A great match for this position would be:

• Owner/Operator Takes full ownership of the Youth and Young Adult Ministries, ensuring they are well-led, organized, and thriving. This leader will bring vision, execute plans with excellence, and create an engaging experience where students and young adults want to be.
• Integrator Connects students and young adults into the life of the church, making sure they feel known, valued, and part of something bigger. This includes bridging the gap between youth and young adults, as well as helping young adults transition into the broader church community.
• Community Builder Creates environments where deep relationships can grow. Whether through small groups, events, or one-on-one connections, this leader will cultivate a culture where students and young adults find belonging and spiritual family.
• Shepherd Invests in students and young adults personally, providing spiritual guidance, encouragement, and care. They will walk alongside them in their faith journey, celebrating wins, offering wisdom, and challenging them to grow in Christ.
• Self-Starter Sees what needs to be done and takes action without waiting to be told. This leader will proactively build the ministry, recruit and train leaders, and create opportunities for students and young adults to grow in their faith.

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About This Organization

New Heights Church is a fast-growing, biblically rooted congregation with a deep commitment to expository teaching, joyful fellowship, and community engagement. Founded in 2021 during the COVID pandemic, NHC began as a small gathering of people seeking solid biblical teaching and a renewed sense of church community. Today, the church has grown to 240 members, with an average of 56 children and youth attending weeklymaking the next generation a key area of focus. Events like VBS have drawn large participation, reflecting the churchs heart for reaching and discipling young families.

The churchs story is one of unexpected doors and Gods provision. In early 2021, a small, aging congregation at Richland Heights Baptist Church invited Pastor Dave Bechtellongtime Senior Pastor of Bethel Church in Richlandto step in and lead. With just five active members, they entrusted their building and resources to a new vision, passing the torch to a fresh movement of faith. Shortly after, the church became New Heights Church, moving away from its previous denominational ties and embracing a new identity. Since then, NHC has experienced rapid growth, fueled by a hunger for Gods Word, a spirit of generosity, and a deep sense of mission.

In the fall of 2024, Jeff Thompson joined the staff as the new Lead Pastor, preparing to transition into leadership once all work permits are finalized as he and his family move from British Columbia. As the church continues to grow, this next season presents incredible opportunities to expand its ministry impact, particularly in reaching and discipling youth and young adults. Every Sunday is filled with joy and expectation, as NHC eagerly follows where God is leading next.

About Location

New Heights Church is a fast-growing, biblically rooted congregation with a deep commitment to expository teaching, joyful fellowship, and community engagement. Founded in 2021 during the COVID pandemic, NHC began as a small gathering of people seeking solid biblical teaching and a renewed sense of church community. Today, the church has grown to 240 members, with an average of 56 children and youth attending weeklymaking the next generation a key area of focus. Events like VBS have drawn large participation, reflecting the churchs heart for reaching and discipling young families.

The churchs story is one of unexpected doors and Gods provision. In early 2021, a small, aging congregation at Richland Heights Baptist Church invited Pastor Dave Bechtellongtime Senior Pastor of Bethel Church in Richlandto step in and lead. With just five active members, they entrusted their building and resources to a new vision, passing the torch to a fresh movement of faith. Shortly after, the church became New Heights Church, moving away from its previous denominational ties and embracing a new identity. Since then, NHC has experienced rapid growth, fueled by a hunger for Gods Word, a spirit of generosity, and a deep sense of mission.

In the fall of 2024, Jeff Thompson joined the staff as the new Lead Pastor, preparing to transition into leadership once all work permits are finalized as he and his family move from British Columbia. As the church continues to grow, this next season presents incredible opportunities to expand its ministry impact, particularly in reaching and discipling youth and young adults. Every Sunday is filled with joy and expectation, as NHC eagerly follows where God is leading next.

Quote from Elders of New Heights Church:

Living in the Tri-Cities means nonstop adventure right in your backyard. With 300 days of sunshine, you can be out on the Columbia River wakeboarding, kayaking, or fishing one day, and hitting hiking or mountain biking trails the next. If you love sports, theres golf, tennis, and year-round outdoor activities. Plus, with amazing local coffee shops, great food, and a laid-back vibe, its the perfect place to enjoy life outside of ministry.

Whats Expected

• Lead & Grow the Youth Ministry (6th-12th Grade) Build a fun, engaging, and discipleship-driven youth ministry where students grow in their faith and form lasting relationships.
• Launch & Shape the Young Adult Ministry (18-25) Create a space where young adults can connect, build real community, and be challenged to grow spiritually.
• Teach & Disciple Lead biblically solid, relevant teaching for youth and young adults, helping them apply Gods Word to their everyday lives.
• Recruit & Equip Leaders Develop a team of committed volunteers, investing in them so they can effectively disciple students and young adults.
• Create Community & Outreach Opportunities Plan invite-friendly events, fun gatherings, and service opportunities that help students and young adults connect and grow.
• Engage with Students & Young Adults Be present in their livespraying for them, showing up for them, and making sure they feel known and valued.
• Partner with Parents & Church Leadership Communicate well with parents, equip them to disciple their kids, and work closely with the staff team to align with the vision of New Heights.

Candidate Requirements

• Alignment with the beliefs & teachings of New Heights (newheights.ch/about-us/what-we-believe)
• Meet the biblical requirements for deacons as described in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
• Heart and passion for Youth, Young Adults and leadership to volunteers serving in these areas
• Display clear evidence of a life lived under the Lordship of Christ in good and bad times, marriage, parenting, work, relationships, and all areas of life.

Leadership & Governance

• In the fall of 2024, Jeff Thompson joined New Heights Church as the new Senior Pastor, preparing to transition into leadership as he and his family relocate from British Columbia. With a heart for discipleship and a vision for growth, Jeff will provide strong leadership as NHC continues to expand its ministry impact.
• New Heights Church is an elder-led congregation, where the Elder Board provides oversight, protection, and spiritual leadership for the church. The Senior Pastor serves as a standing elder and is the only staff member eligible for eldership. All paid staff report to the Senior Pastor. Elders are elected by church members and serve three-year terms, ensuring a strong foundation of leadership. The Elder Board meets twice per monthone meeting for elders only and another that includes associate pastorsallowing for both strategic decision-making and staff collaboration.

Salary Range

60,000 90,000

To Apply: Send resume to Brian Aaby (baaby@slingshotgroup.org) with New Heights Church in the subject line.