Associate Pastor
River of Life Church | Elk River, Minnesota
Join a Growing Church Community Making an Impact
River of Life Church in Elk River, Minnesota, is seeking a passionate Associate Pastor to join
our dynamic team during an exciting season of growth and expansion. With 13% growth in the
past year—primarily young families—we're embarking on our "Expand the House" building
project and looking for a leader who shares our vision of equipping people like Jesus in
community and for community.
Why River of Life Church?
A Thriving Community Impact
● Rapidly growing congregation (400+) with strong focus on young families
● Midweek kids and youth programs serving hundreds of children and teens, many from
families not yet connected to our church
● Phase 1 of our three-phase "Expand the House" building project just beginning
Perfect Location Experience the best of both worlds in Elk River—a welcoming small-town
community with the charm of close-knit relationships, yet just minutes from the Twin Cities'
cultural attractions, dining, entertainment, and professional opportunities.
Kingdom-Focused Vision Our heart is equipping people to follow Jesus in authentic
community while making a meaningful difference in our broader community.
The Role: Your Ministry Impact
As our Associate Pastor, you'll serve as a key leader in four vital ministry areas:
Adult Equipping & Discipleship
● Develop comprehensive strategies for spiritual formation across men's, women's,
small group, and marriage ministries
● Create discipleship programs and Bible studies that transform lives
● Lead by example in spiritual formation and growth
First Impressions & Connection
● Design and oversee our welcome and integration process for newcomers
● Help first-time guests feel at home and discover their place in our church family
● Build bridges that turn visitors into thriving community members
Teaching & Preaching
● Share in our teaching ministry through regular preaching opportunities
● Develop curriculum and resources for adult education
● Communicate God's truth with clarity and passion
Missions & Community Engagement
● Lead our local, regional, and global missions strategy
● Foster relationships with community leaders and organizations
● Coordinate mission trips and missionary support
● Connect our congregation to God's heart for the world
What You'll Bring
Ministry Experience & Heart
● Experience in pastoral ministry and adult discipleship for 8-10 years
● Heart for both local community engagement and global missions
● Strong teaching and preaching abilities
● Counseling and pastoral care experience
Leadership & Collaboration
● Ability to develop and implement ministry strategies
● Experience leading teams and managing ministry budgets
● Collaborative spirit working alongside Senior Pastor and ministry teams
● Vision for connecting discipleship across all church programs
Personal Qualities
● Authentic relationship with Jesus Christ
● Heart for equipping others to grow spiritually
● Passion for reaching families and building community
● Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Education
● Pastoral ministry degree required
● Seminary or graduate education in pastoral ministry preferred or willingness to pursue
Ready to Make an Impact?
This is more than a job—it's an opportunity to help shape the spiritual formation of a growing
church family while making a lasting impact in our community and around the world. If you're
passionate about discipleship, excited about growth, and ready to invest in the next generation
of believers, we'd love to hear from you.
Join us in Elk River, where small-town warmth meets big-Kingdom vision!
How to Apply
Send your resume, cover letter, and ministry philosophy to:
Jessica Hills at jessica.hills@rolmn.org