Student & Young Adults Worker

Purpose of role:

To enable our students and young adults to grow in deep conviction about the gospel and maturity of faith, encourage them in evangelistic fruitfulness and develop deep and lasting gospel friendships that will serve the Kingdom of God for years to come.

What has led us to do this?

Under previous leadership, the work amongst students has grown beyond what a volunteer can organise. CityGates has a significant number of students (42 on a recent weekend away with a pool of about 50-60 who would call CityGates their home) and a growing number of young adults. Under God, we long to see individuals grow and be discipled, not only for their benefit or the benefit of the church, but the benefit of the work of the gospel and the glory of God more widely. We see this age as a valuable point in people's lives that are setting a trajectory on where their lives are heading.

What will the role involve?

• Responsibility for leading and delivering our student work programme

         Setting the vision for student and young adult work in the church

         Planning a year-round programme e.g. teaching days, conferences, socials

         Organising and leading Student Connect - our weekly Bible study

• Leading, training and building a team of leaders to assist with this work

        Growing and developing the student leaders team through biweekly training

        Liaising with and co-ordinating volunteers who help in this work

        Ensuring practical arrangements of events are taken care of

• Overseeing the teaching and discipleship for student and young adults

        Meeting up with students - new students, pastoral care, investing in leaders

        One-to-one discipleship with 3-4 students

        Organising other discipleship programmes such as Adopt-a-Student 

        and one-to-ones

As well as the above responsibilities, the person will work to support students visiting CityGates Church and helping them to settle and get integrated in the life of the church, such as through serving on ministry teams. They will be working on how to expand the ministry (particularly with young adults) and communicating with the rest of the church family on the work to encourage prayer and support.

The person will work as part of a dynamic staff team and will be part of weekly staff meetings and training. They will be supported, mentored and line managed by one of the pastors.

Practicalities of the role

The role is part-time at 22.5 hours a week - equivalent to three full working days. Depending on the applicant, there could be some flexibility on this. It would be an initial temporary contract of 2 years. The salary will be £15,000 and there will be 20 days of annual leave a year (not inc. bank holidays).

About CityGates Church

CityGates is a growing, city centre, outward looking, evangelical, active, broadly reformed, complementarian church. People commute from all over Norwich to come to here, although we are increasingly seeing opportunities to reach people within our immediate locality. 

We are members of the FIEC and seek to actively partner with churches who hold similar convictions about God's word, the gospel and ministry. We are convinced God grows his church by his Spirit through his word and so you will find expository ministry as a key part of our weekly diet on Sundays.

You will currently find on Sundays about 350-380 people with us over our two Sunday morning. We have a membership of 170, and a growing number of families, students and 20's.

CityGates has existed under different names for 150 years. Historically it has had a significant impact in global mission (particularly in China). It has got a grand heritage which God has mercifully used to bring many to know Christ and grow into maturity in him. We prayerfully long for God to continue that to the praise of his Glory.

Required Skills

What do we expect from the candidate?

• A love for Christ, a growing walk with Him, a servant heart and a passion for gospel growth in the church

• Ability or potential to teach, handle and apply God's word faithfully and engagingly in a number of settings, but primarily in small groups

• Ability to work with and organise a volunteer team

• A teachable spirit, that will be keen to learn as well as serve

• A prayerful heart that is passionate about students and young adults

• Some form of previous ministry experience, whether in a para-church organisation (like UCCF), or serving within a ministry apprenticeship scheme elsewhere

• Someone who is in agreement with the FIEC statement of faith and the associated three ethos statements