Director of Campus Ministries

Job Posted 4/25/2025
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Owensboro, KY
United States
Category Higher Education
Employee
Full-Time
Experience Required
Degree Required
Job Description

Director of Campus Ministries

As a United Methodist-related institution, Kentucky Wesleyan College strives to be an open and welcoming community for students of all faith traditions. The Director of Campus Ministries is responsible for cultivating the campus’s spiritual life by developing programs and opportunities that celebrate God’s presence, nurture spiritual growth, and serve the community. This is a full-time position that provides leadership in worship, pastoral care, and service initiatives, ensuring that students, faculty, and staff are supported in their spiritual development.

Major Responsibilities

  • Serve as pastor to students and the broader campus community, offering guidance and counsel on matters of faith and personal development.
  • Plan and lead diverse campus religious life activities, including chapel services, Bible studies, and other gatherings that promote spiritual growth and reflection.
  • Provide support to students who feel called to ministry, equipping them with resources and opportunities for discernment and service.
  • Oversee, mentor, and collaborate with student-led religious affiliation groups to foster inclusive and vibrant spiritual engagement on campus.
  • Organize opportunities for mission and service—locally, nationally, and internationally—encouraging students to put faith into action.
  • Partner with Student Life and other departments to coordinate community service initiatives and integrate faith-based programming into campus-wide events.
  • Serve as a liaison between Kentucky Wesleyan College and local congregations, with an emphasis on the Kentucky Conference of The United Methodist Church.
  • Build and maintain relationships with pastors, church leaders, and local churches to recruit prospective students and enhance awareness of campus ministry programs.
  • Collaborate with Admissions staff to highlight spiritual life opportunities during campus visits, orientations, and recruitment events.
  • Supervise Campus Ministries Staff and student workers, fostering professional growth and ensuring effective program delivery.
  • Work with the College’s External Relations team to seek funding for ministry initiatives, grants, and other resources.
  • Submit all necessary reports and proposals related to campus ministry activities (e.g., semester reports, Higher Education grant proposals).

Additional Requirements

  • Required to work occasional evenings and weekends to support campus events and ministry activities.
  • Required to travel periodically to visit local congregations, conferences, and other relevant gatherings to promote the College’s spiritual life programs.

Required Qualifications

  • Master of Divinity Degree (M-Div) from a theological seminary accredited by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church.
  • Designation as Local Pastor, or ordination as an elder or deacon in The United Methodist Church (or in the process of seeking ordination).
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a pastoral heart and a capacity to engage students and colleagues in meaningful relationships.
  • Strong organizational and leadership abilities, capable of overseeing multiple programs and student groups simultaneously.

Preferred Experience

  • Prior experience in campus ministry, youth ministry, or similar pastoral roles.
  • Proven record of successful program development and community outreach.
  • Experience working in or with The United Methodist Church at the conference or local church level.

Compensation and Benefits

This full-time position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including the following:

  • Insurance – health, dental, vision, supplemental
  • Life insurance at no cost to the employee
  • Paid time off – 21 days per year
  • Paid holidays – 20 days per year
  • Retirement plan
  • Free tuition at KWC after one year plus tuition arrangements with hundreds of other colleges and universities
  • As Kentucky Wesleyan is a not-for-profit institution, employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program of the US Department of Education, as applicable.

This is an exempt position paid on a salary basis. The position description provides an overview of the level of work to be performed by an employee in this position and does not constitute a contract of employment. This is not a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and/or qualifications, as the College reserves the right to change the description at any time. 

Application Process

To apply, please complete the online application at https://kwc.edu/application-for-employment/. As part of the online application, please attach a file that contains a cover letter, current resume, and contact information for three professional references, along with your salary expectations.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. An official transcript for the highest degree awarded will be required of the hired candidate, as will a background check. The College is not able to sponsor applicants for work visas.

Kentucky Wesleyan College is an equal opportunity employer and remains committed to attracting qualified candidates looking to be part of a growing and successful higher educational organization.

Additional Information

About Kentucky Wesleyan College

Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, four-year liberal arts institution located in the vibrant city of Owensboro. A United Methodist-related college founded in 1858, Wesleyan is known for excellence in academics and a superior residential experience. Kentucky Wesleyan College has been consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Regional Colleges in the South and one of the Top Performers in Social Mobility in the South. The Princeton Review has also recognized KWC as a “Best in the Southeast” college for several consecutive years.

Kentucky Wesleyan students can choose from 29 majors and 13 pre-professional programs. Classes have a 13-to-1 student-faculty ratio, and 88 percent of the faculty have a Ph.D. or terminal degree. The College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers compete in NCAA Division II and are charter members of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. Athletic teams include baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, and wrestling.

The College employs approximately 200 faculty and staff who work together on a single campus. Kentucky Wesleyan provides a challenging and supportive academic experience for students and a positive and stimulating work environment for employees.

A hallmark of the Kentucky Wesleyan experience includes “The Wesleyan Way” which guides our community:

  • We do everything with honor.
  • We always support each other.
  • We will compete with integrity.
  • We love each other in Christ.

Kentucky Wesleyan College values the unique contributions of all members of our campus community. As part of our mission to prepare future leaders intellectually, spiritually, and physically, we strive to provide an atmosphere that encourages and challenges all members of the Kentucky Wesleyan College campus community to exhibit an understanding and appreciation of cultural and human differences. We are committed to being a community that reflects the diversity of our larger society. We expect all members of our institution to actively create and maintain an inclusive learning and living environment that embraces diversity in all forms, including race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, socio-economic status, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, religion, and thought.

About Owensboro, KY

Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in the hospitable city of Owensboro, Kentucky, a vibrant, beautiful, and safe city nestled on the banks of the Ohio River. Owensboro is small enough to promote a hometown atmosphere yet large enough to support many amenities usually only available in much larger cities. Daviess County is home to 110,000 residents and is easily accessible from metropolitan locations such as Louisville, KY; Nashville, TN; and St. Louis, MO.

Owensboro’s revitalized downtown area features a state-of-the-art convention center, several new hotels, and a range of entertainment options with unique restaurants and shops. Twenty-five parks, totaling 953 acres, encircle the city, which hosts over 20 annual festivals – attracting visitors from throughout the region.

Suggested Websites

Additional information about Kentucky Wesleyan, the KWC Panthers, and the Owensboro community may be found at:

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