The Water’s Edge Church
The Water’s Edge is a dynamic and growing church in the suburbs of Omaha, Nebraska. Their mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and each other.
Expected Work Hours: 40-45 hours/week
Expected Pay: $3,000/month
Here are some Q & A with their staff:
What are your greatest hopes and dreams for the next couple of years for your organization?
The Water’s Edge (WE) sits in one of the fastest growing areas of the Omaha metropolitan area. Houses and schools are being built at a record pace, and the landscape is continually changing. With this change comes unprecedented opportunity for our church to minister to the individuals and families living in and moving to the area and also serve and impact the neighborhoods and schools within our communities.
Not only is our landscape changing, but our congregation also turns 20 years-old in 2026. Reflecting back on the past 20 years, we have grown from an upstart outreach worship service and are fast approaching 1000 people in worship at our Sunday services. We moved from a local high school into or current facility in 2018, added a major addition to serve Youth and Families in 2023 and continue to dream about the future of our campus and our witness to the community.
Looking forward to our next 20 years, our hopes and dreams are to help people deepen their faith in Jesus and to make an impact in our community where God has placed us. To be able to do that, WE will need to be equipped with the right people who love God and love His people. WE want to love God’s people locally and missionally.
Locally, we are surrounded by three large school districts with which we continue developing deep relationships with students, staff, and administration. In additional to these districts, we draw youth and families from around the metropolitan area.
We dream to support at least one missionary on every continent. Currently, we are supporting missionaries serving in Nicaragua, Kenya, Norway, Trinidad & Tobago, and Asia. We hope to find a missionary from Australia/New Zealand to support. We also send people annually on mission trips around the U.S.A., to Belize, Nicaragua, and Uganda.
Specifically with our Youth Ministry, we currently offer Wednesday nights for both Middle School and High School, weekly additional small group opportunities for High School youth, confirmation, summer mission trips, camps, and other trips and retreats. Our desire is to provide for the unique and growing needs of the youth in our community by through leadership development, creating additional ministry connections, and offering appropriate events, classes and gatherings for youth.
Why did you choose to do a residency & what are you hoping will happen through this process?
Our Mission, Vision, and Values express our desire to be a church that is continually expanding and growing God’s kingdom. WE believe that extends not just to our congregation, but also to the development of those who will be the next generation of church leaders. WE feel that adding another resident to our Youth Ministry team will be an opportunity to develop a new leader and hopefully develop what we have started into a tradition of training, equipping, and sending ministry leaders long into the future.
What is it like to work on staff there?
The ministry staff here is very collaborative. Regardless of one’s job description, there is generally great collaboration and involvement across the board in our ministry functions. While everyone has specific job descriptions, we also assist whenever possible in other areas of ministry. Our ministry staff is expanding rapidly as our church is growing. Many of our staff are long serving, fun, lighthearted, supportive, and caring people who look out for and care deeply about one another. Being part of The Water’s Edge will help to expose you to the full range of ministries and positions within our church.
Does your church’s website state the mission, vision, values and key distinctives of your church? Please paste the link:
What qualities does it take to “win” on staff at your church
Those who take initiative in both learning and doing, tend to have the most success, gain the respect of our congregation, and get the most out of their experience. You must be a team player and willing to “lend a hand” wherever the need is. We are a team. Often, our events, activities, and ministry opportunities are ALL HANDS ON DECK. If you want to win over the staff, be a team player.
Who will the resident report to? Will there be a different person acting as coach?
The resident will report to the Youth Ministries Pastor. This person will also serve as his/her coach.
Are you affiliated with a particular denomination or tribes/association of churches?
No. We are a non-denominational church.
What are the key doctrinal and theological issues where alignment is essential?
Prefer understanding and ability to relate to Wesleyan/Methodist Theology and practice.
What is your average weekend attendance?
800+ in person
200+ online
120+ in Wednesday Youth Ministry
In general, what is your church demographic?
Suburban Upper Middle Class.
What is your church known for in the community?
In our local community, we are known as a church who strives to support and partner with local schools, families and community organizations. Our VBS is exceptionally well attended, we host multiple events for local neighborhood groups, preschools, and high school clubs and organizations.
Across our city, we are one of, if not the largest church supporters of several outreach and mission organizations. This includes Together, Inc (food bank and housing advocacy), Release Ministries (Youth Correctional Center Mentoring, Foster Care, Mental Health and Social Work), Sleep in Heavenly Peace (Beds for Children), and Bridges Out of Poverty. We strive to impact others not just through funding, but through hands on work and involvement in our partner ministries as well.
How much are you planning on financially compensating your resident? Is it set or is it flexible
$3,000/month. This number is pretty set as it approaches the level of pay for a first year teacher in the area.
What are the expected work hours and what does a typical workweek look like for this resident?
The resident will be expected to work 40-45 hour per week.
A typical work week is Sunday 7:30AM-12:30PM, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 9am-3:30pm, Wednesday 10am-9pm. With the remainder of their hours coming from student and parent meet ups, youth ministry events, church ministry and mission events, youth extra-curricular activities, and youth trips (camps, retreats, mission trips, etc).
Specific hours are somewhat flexible depending on week-to-week responsibilities.
What else would you say to a resident considering joining your team?
Our congregation is very supportive of our Youth Ministries, and they have been incredibly generous and supportive of past interns and residents. There are great opportunities for building and growing new ministries with our youth while also engaging and building outreach into the community. We have a great relationship with Youth for Christ and partner with them for several activities, trips, summer camp, and special events throughout the year.