Senior Pastor

Job Description

Cove Spring Church is a vibrant, growing non-denominational church with deep historic roots. Founded in 1815 as a Christian Church, it later affiliated with the Congregational Christian Church and joined the United Church of Christ in the 1950s. In the early 2000s, Cove Spring Church became an independent, non-denominational congregation, allowing it to pursue its unique calling while remaining firmly grounded in its history.

Cove Spring is in a season of healthy, steady growth. In 2025, the church averaged 114 people in Sunday morning attendance, with record attendance during the 2026 Easter season. The congregation is excited about what God is doing and is eager to welcome a pastor who will lead them into the next chapter of ministry and outreach.

Cove Spring maintains a strong and active online ministry. Through its website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel, the church reaches out each week. A dedicated and skilled Audio-Visual team ensures that every Sunday service is professionally livestreamed, making the messages and worship accessible to a wider audience.

Cove Spring is committed to mission in the local community. Outreach efforts include:

• Annual Easter and Christmas mailers
• Strategic use of church yard signs
• The popular Blessing of the Farmers service held at the Lost Creek Memory Barn annually
• An annual worship service at the Miami County Fair
• The church also actively supports meaningful missions, including the Miami East Backpack Program, Miami East Young Life, Habitat for Humanity, and several others.

Worship at Cove Spring is a warm, engaging blend of timeless traditional hymns and contemporary praise. The church is blessed with a gifted organist and a gifted pianist, along with a talented Praise Team. This team has recorded its own album, performs at local venues, and has even had the honor of singing the National Anthem for the Dayton Dragons minor league baseball team.

Children’s ministry is a vital part of Cove Spring Church. In recent years, the church has been blessed to have a part-time Children’s and Youth Director. During the main service, children participate in Junior Church, where they learn about faith in Jesus while the pastor delivers the message. Cove Spring Kids, a monthly program, meets after the worship service. The children’s ministry also hosts four major events each year, including an Easter egg hunt, Vacation Bible School (VBS), a Harvest Festival, and a Children’s Christmas Play. In addition, the Cove Spring Youth Group gathers monthly for Bible study and service projects.

What truly sets Cove Spring apart is its people. The congregation is a beautiful mix of multi-generational families — some with four generations sitting together in the same pew — and newer attendees who have joined in recent months and years. It is a welcoming, friendly, and authentic church family that values relationships, faithful teaching, and genuine community.

About the Senior Pastor

• Fulltime Pastor
• Education - Seminary Education preferred
• Have a Bible-based philosophy
• Assist with youth and children's programs
• Be family oriented and approachable in conjunction with Church leadership
• Appeal to congregation of various ages
• Be God-fearing, "Walking the walk"
• Passionate and heartfelt message
• Be innovative, make changes as they need to be made working with Board of Deacons
• Be able to engage presence on the platform, some humor is always welcome
• Be a teacher, motivator and a shepherd
• Counsel those who need encouragement
• Be outgoing and proactive visiting the sick and shut-ins of church body and community as needed
• Be committed to our church and congregation

What’s it like to live in Elizabeth Township?

Elizabeth Township, Miami County, Ohio — a peaceful, primarily rural area spanning nearly 30 square miles that holds the distinction of being Ohio’s first Rural Historic District. This is one of only five rural historic districts in the United States larger than 18,000 acres.

Directly across from the parsonage sits the Elizabeth Township Community Center, a renovated 1915 school building that now serves as a community hub. Inside is a fitness center, auditorium, and a historical museum. The center is surrounded by a 1/3-mile walking track and has a public playground.

For families with young children, the Walnut Grove Learning Center (preschool, daycare, and summer camps) is also housed in the Community Center. Older children would attend schools in the highly rated Miami East School District, with the option of Troy Christian Schools just eight miles away.

The parsonage is located about seven miles outside of Troy, Ohio, repeatedly named one of Ohio’s “Best Hometowns” by Ohio Magazine. Troy offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and modern amenities:

• A bustling downtown with around 40 locally owned shops, boutiques, and specialty stores.
• Dozens of restaurants offering a wide range of cuisines.
• The newly renovated Hobart Arena for public ice skating.
• The impressive 39,000-square-foot Arbogast Performing Arts Center, which brings in concerts, comedians, speakers, authors, recitals, and theatrical performances.
• You’ll enjoy the tranquility and scenic beauty of rural living at the parsonage while having easy access to dining, shopping, entertainment, and services in Troy.

Overall, living at the Cove Spring parsonage means daily life immersed in a safe, scenic, historic rural community with a strong sense of neighborliness. You’ll be steps from community activities and family resources, yet only a short drive from the conveniences and cultural offerings of a vibrant hometown. It’s a setting that supports both pastoral ministry and family life in a peaceful, rooted, and welcoming place.