MEET OUR STAFF
Rev. Jana Creighton
Jana Light Creighton grew up right here in Columbia, South Carolina. A child of die-hard Gamecock fans, she spent her childhood years singing the Carolina fight song. However after graduating from Richland Northeast High School, she discovered that her true colors ran orange. In 1999 she graduated as a Clemson University Tiger with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing. Jana served as an RN for 10 years in oncology, step down, cardiac care as a floor and many years as a travel nurse. She finished her nursing career before being called to seminary in Medical Cardiac Care Unit at Providence Hospital.
In 2007, Jana received a call to pursue ministry and attended Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte where she received her Masters of Divinity. She is the proud parent of two sons, Finnegan born in 2005 and Sawyer born in 2007. Jana has a love for her family, prayer, and pursues justice for God’s people. She has a passion for music, exercise, and a deep belief in lifelong education. She spends her time away from work with the boys, gardening and entertaining friends.
In 2014, Jana was blessed to lead at Saluda Presbyterian Church where she served four years preaching and striving to building bonds between the different denominations and ethnic groups within the community. The opportunities and the support of the people of Saluda Presbyterian provided the growth and experience that have led her to her current role as here at Seven Oaks Presbyterian where she was installed February of 2018.
Jana is dedicated to the mission of the PC(USA). She maintains an active role within Trinity Presbytery and is currently serving as chair for Examinations and Placements, welcoming new pastors into the Presbytery. Jana has a love for mission and personal relationships expressed in her sermons and ministry as she strives to live into the Shema; ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
While also striving to embody the second great commandment: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Dr. Lloyd R. Pilkington
Mr. Karl Thompson
803-772-1761 Ext. 151
Ms. Amy Schwartz
803-772-1761
PART TIME DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES
MISSION: To Build Disciples of Christ
Job Title: Part Time Director of Youth Ministries
Grade Levels: 6th-12th grades
Status: Part Time: up to 12 hours per week
Compensation: Hourly, $16-20
Reports to: Pastor as Head of Staff and Christian Education Ministry
Purpose: Our part time director of youth ministries will work as part of the ministry team at Seven Oaks to provide a safe and collaborative environment for youth and their parents to explore theology and God’s call on their lives. Our director will need to have experience in the development of both programs and relationship building opportunities, whether virtual or in person and be enthusiastic about this work. This individual will have a solid understanding and ability to implement Biblical truths and theology as represented by the PCUSA and will work to provide safe environments to teach, discuss, and encourage our youth and parents in their growth and relationships. This person should also be willing and able to work with the pastoral staff in outreach into the community, welcoming the churched, unchurched and de-churched into the youth and larger ministry of Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church. Together, we long to teach and unite our families to the story of God in our midst by walking with Christ.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist the Christian Education Ministry in planning and coordinating all youth ministries
- Establish a calendar for all youth activities
- Attend Sunday School and Worship Regularly
- Coordinate seasonal events with creativity that coincide with the Spiritual and church calendars
- Plan and attend weekly youth activities to include but not limited to relationship building, theological growth, community service, games, physical recreation activities, camp and retreats
- Develop relationships with parents through regular communication
- Recruit volunteers for special events
- Publicize events to the community, coordinating with the Children’s Ministry Team (CMT)
- Work with ministerial staff for community outreach opportunities
Skills Desired:
- Applicant will have or be obtaining a college degree in line with Christian Education or
- Applicant will have experience working with youth for at least 2 years in a church setting or youth conference environment.
- Applicant will have at minimum a basic understanding of technological resources including but not limited to Remind (and other outreach apps), Word Processing and Publications, Zoom, Social Media – including Facebook, Twitter, Messenger, and Instagram.
- Applicant will show a firm foundation in their walk with Christ and be able to relay this in understandable ways to all age groups.
- Applicant will agree to follow all safety protocols for Covid, Child Safety Implementations, an annual background check and will facilitate the teaching of these standards to parents and youth volunteers.