Job Title: Family Pastor (Children & Youth Ministry) Fulltime/open to part-time/internship

Location: Leaf River, Illinois (leaf river.church)
Reports To: Lead Pastor
Status: Full-Time (40+ hrs) or Part-Time (20-30 hrs)

Position Summary:

Leaf River Baptist Church is seeking a passionate, energetic, and gospel-focused Family Pastor to oversee our children and youth ministries, guiding families from birth through high school graduation. This individual will resource and support parents, develop volunteers, and create engaging programs that nurture faith in both children and teens. This is a unique opportunity to shape the spiritual formation of youth in a rural community with limited existing programs, integrating ministry within the church while fostering strong community engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Spiritual Leadership & Teaching

• Be willing to affirm and sign LRBC’s statement of faith, found @ https://leafriver.church/about
• Teach youth Sunday School with energy and biblical accuracy.
• Lead youth-focused teaching and devotional experiences, fostering faith formation and discipleship.
• Maintain a visible, confident presence in the sanctuary alongside the lead pastor during worship.
• Encourage children and youth to develop personal faith and engage with Scripture.

2. Program Development & Administration

• Develop and implement age-appropriate programming for infants through high school students.
• Plan and oversee youth worship or ministry events, ensuring alignment with church vision. (To Know Christ, Grow in faith, Go make Him known.)
• Create basic registration and check-in/check-out procedures for both children and teens for safety and accountability.
• Modernize policies as needed to support best practices in child and youth ministry.

3. Volunteer Leadership & Training

• Recruit, train, and supervise volunteers for children’s and youth ministries.
• Provide teacher training to equip volunteers for effective ministry.
• Develop a culture of teamwork, accountability, and spiritual growth among volunteers.

4. Parent & Family Engagement

• Provide resources and guidance to parents, helping them disciple their children at home.
• Host occasional (2-4 per year) parent meetings, workshops, or family events to strengthen family ministry.

5. Community Outreach & Engagement

• Represent the church in the local community to reach children and teens who are not yet connected to the church.
• Initiate programs or events in the village to provide safe, faith-based activities for youth.
• Build relationships with local schools, organizations, and families to extend ministry beyond the church walls.

6. Tech & Communication

• Utilize digital tools to streamline registration, communication, and volunteer coordination.
• Employ modern resources to enhance teaching and engagement, including social media or youth ministry software.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• At least 1 year of Bible college education or a desire to pursue further education (e.g., Master of Divinity).
• Experience in youth or children’s ministry preferred, including volunteer experience.
• Strong biblical knowledge with a commitment to conservative theological values.
• Ability to teach and lead with enthusiasm, confidence, and clarity.
• Capable in recruiting, training, and mentoring volunteers.
• Comfortable engaging with youth both in the church and in the broader community.
• Tech-savvy and capable of implementing digital tools for ministry management.
• Excellent communication and relational skills with children, teens, parents, and volunteers.

Personal Attributes:

• Spiritually mature, prayerful, and committed to the gospel.
• Creative, energetic, and able to think innovatively about ministry in a rural context.
• Adaptable, flexible, and able to balance multiple responsibilities.
• Team-oriented, willing to collaborate with the lead pastor and staff.

Schedule & Commitment:

• Sunday mornings required (teaching, worship presence).
• Weekday and evening ministry hours will vary based on program events.
• Monthly Elders and Deacon meetings.
• Participation in weekly staff meetings with the lead pastor.
• Full-time or part-time options available depending on candidate and church resources.

Opportunities:

• Lead and shape the only youth ministry in the village of Leaf River.
• Develop new ministry programs that engage both the church and the wider community.
• Grow personally through continued theological education and leadership development.

How to Apply:

• Send cover letter (brief introduction) and resume to staffing@leafriverbaptist.org
  • Cover letter should have a basic testimony and general church history.