Relocation Assistance  

Reasonable relocation expenses for the selected candidate will be paid by St. John Baptist Church, if applicable. 

interview and Sermon Expenses 

Approved travel expenses related to in-person interviews, candidate sermons or trial messages, and ministry presentation visits will be reimbursed or paid by the church, if applicable. 

Church Overview and Location 

St. John Baptist Church is prayerfully seeking the person of God whom the Lord has called to serve as our next Senior Pastor. For more than a century, St. John Baptist Church has been a pillar of faith, worship, and Christian witness in Gainesville and the surrounding region. Rooted in the rich legacy of the African American church, our congregation has remained steadfast through generations proclaiming the Gospel, nurturing disciples, strengthening families, and serving as a source of hope, encouragement, and spiritual strength in the community. St. John Baptist Church is a long-standing member of the Northwestern Baptist Association. Today, with a church family of more than 1,200 people who worship with us in person and online, we honor that legacy as we look with faith toward the future God is preparing for our church. 

Established in 1879, St. John Baptist Church is currently located on the corner of E.E Butler Parkway and Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway serving a growing and diverse community in Hall County, approximately one hour northeast of Atlanta. Near Lake Lanier and the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Gainesville offers a distinctive blend of small-town warmth, civic pride, and continued growth. This setting provides meaningful opportunities for pastoral leadership, community engagement, outreach, and long-term ministry impact. 

Position Summary 

The Senior Pastor will serve as the spiritual leader of St. John Baptist Church by faithfully preaching and teaching the Word of God, providing visionary and biblically grounded leadership, shepherding the congregation with wisdom and compassion, and equipping the church for discipleship, evangelism, ministry development, and community impact. 

Pastoral Profile 

The Pastor Search Committee seeks a shepherd who can honor the church’s historic foundation while leading with fresh vision, biblical conviction, and compassionate pastoral presence. The ideal candidate will be a gifted preacher and teacher of God’s Word, a wise and prayerful leader, and a servant with the spiritual maturity to guide a multigenerational congregation in unity, discipleship, outreach, and growth. The candidate   should demonstrate the ability to connect with people across ages and backgrounds, cultivate emerging leaders, strengthen families, and help St. John Baptist Church continue its witness as a beacon of faith and hope in Gainesville and beyond. 

Qualifications 

The ideal candidate will be a spiritually mature, Christ-centered, biblically sound, and visionary servant leader who demonstrates a clear call from God to pastoral ministry and a commitment to leading the church with integrity, humility, courage, and love. 

• Meets the biblical qualifications for pastoral leadership as outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. 

• Has a minimum of five years of senior-level pastoral or comparable congregational leadership experience, preferably serving a congregation of significant size and demographic diversity. ***  

• Holds at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Formal education in biblical studies, theology, ministry, or a related field is beneficial; advanced theological training is valued. *** 

• Demonstrates strong expository preaching, sound biblical teaching, and the ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written settings. 

• Provides spiritual leadership that is relational, accountable, and effective in guiding the church’s mission, vision, and ministry priorities. 

• Exhibits experience in developing leaders, strengthening ministries, and fostering church growth, discipleship, and meaningful community engagement. 

• Shows pastoral sensitivity and the ability to provide compassionate care in significant life moments, including hospital visitation, funerals, counseling support, and weddings. 

• Can minister effectively to a diverse congregation and respond wisely to the spiritual, relational, and practical needs of the church body and surrounding community. 

• Must be willing to set up residence within a 40-45-mile radius of the church. 

• Must have experience serving as the administrative head of the church and be fully responsible for the spiritual and emotional growth and welfare of the congregation. *** 

• Must successfully complete a background check and any additional screening required by the Pastor Search Committee. ***