Children’s Pastor / Children’s Ministry Director

Church Summary

Grace Life Church exists to reflect God’s love and lead people into a life-changing relationship with Jesus. We believe in reaching our neighbors through meaningful relationships, with a special focus on supporting and discipling families. We are a multigenerational congregation located in a family-oriented suburb of Columbus, Ohio, offering unique opportunities for community engagement.

Position Summary

The Children’s Pastor or Children’s Ministry Director leads a vibrant and engaging ministry for children from birth through 6th grade. This role partners with families to nurture lifelong faith in Jesus Christ through age-appropriate teaching, relational discipleship, dynamic outreach, and meaningful acts of service within the local community. With a strong emphasis on outreach ministry, creative worship experiences, and family-centered events this leader helps children and families take next steps toward connection, growth, and service in Christ. This role is a key contributor to the broader mission of Grace Life, working collaboratively with church staff and ministries to foster unity across generations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Ministry Leadership & Weekly Environments

*Lead all aspects of Sunday and midweek children’s ministry, including early childhood, elementary, and preteen environments.
*Design and lead a high-energy, age-appropriate Kids Church worship experience that helps children encounter God through music, Scripture, media, and interaction.
*Ensure a safe, welcoming, and spiritually rich experience for all children.
*Select or develop biblically grounded, engaging curriculum that aligns with the church’s Wesleyan theology and discipleship pathway.
*Promote and lead participation in district and denominational children’s ministry events that connect kids to the broader Church of the Nazarene.

2. Volunteer Recruitment & Development

*Identify, train, and support a growing team of volunteers who serve in children’s ministry.
*Empower and equip volunteers to lead with excellence, warmth, and consistency.
*Cultivate a culture of encouragement, teamwork, and spiritual maturity among leaders.
*Schedule volunteers and provide clear communication, support, and appreciation.

3. Outreach & Community Engagement

*Lead efforts to engage children and families beyond the walls of the church, building bridges to the broader community.
*Develop creative outreach strategies that meet families where they are—whether through sports, seasonal events, service opportunities, or partnerships with local schools and organizations.
*Inspire the broader church through visible, invitational, and outward-facing children’s ministry efforts that model hospitality, creativity, and community engagement.

4. Family Events & Milestone Ministry

*Plan and lead family-friendly events (e.g., Fall Fest, family worship nights, Christmas outreach, parenting workshops) that build connection between the church and home.
*Create consistent engagement opportunities with families—in the church, in the child care, and in the community—to build relationship, trust, and partnership in discipleship.
*Partner with the Executive Pastor and Lead Pastor to create milestone experiences such as child dedication, Bible presentations, and family faith celebrations.
*Provide tools and resources for parents as the primary disciplers in the home.

5. Safety, Systems, & Communication

*Ensure safety policies and background checks are updated and strictly followed.
*Maintain excellent communication with parents and volunteers through regular emails, social media, and in-person interactions.
*Manage ministry budget and track attendance and engagement data to guide future planning.

6. Church Integration & Team Collaboration

*Serve as a unified member of the Grace Life Staff Team, actively participating in staff meetings, planning sessions, and church-wide events.
*Collaborate with other ministry leaders to ensure alignment, shared vision, and a spirit of partnership across generations and departments.
*Encourage children and families to engage in the life of the whole church, fostering intergenerational connection and belonging.

Qualifications

*A growing, vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ and alignment with the mission, values, and beliefs of Grace Life Church and the Church of the Nazarene.
*Passion for reaching and discipling children and partnering with families.
*Proven ability to lead teams, plan events, and communicate clearly and graciously.
*Previous ministry or teaching experience with children strongly preferred.
*Bachelor’s degree in ministry, education, or a related field preferred.
*Competency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
*Comfortable with social media platforms and knowing their appropriate use.

Personal Characteristics

*Spirit-led and passionate about sharing the love of Jesus with children and families.
*Relationally warm and hospitable to new families and longtime members alike.
*Creative and fun-loving, able to connect with kids on their level while building trust with parents.
*Team-oriented and eager to work collaboratively with staff and volunteers.
*Organized and dependable, following through on plans with excellence.

Compensation & Scheduling Note

This is a full-time ministry leadership role, structured between 30 to 40 hours per week, depending on the candidate’s availability, skills, and financial needs. While we recognize that compensation may vary based on experience and hours worked, we are committed to making this position as sustainable and life-giving as possible for the right individual.
In addition to salary, housing within the New Albany school district may be available as part of the compensation package. Flexible, part-time hours may be available within our on-site child care ministry for candidates who desire to supplement their income or hours. Other benefits include vacation, professional expense reimbursement, educational reimbursement, and child care.
Whether you’re seeking a 30-hour focused role or a full 40-hour engagement with broader involvement, we invite you to explore how your calling, capacity, and creativity might align with this opportunity to impact children and families at Grace Life Church.

If interested in applying, please send the following to josh@gracelifenaz.org

1. Resume with cover letter
2. 2-3 minute video introducing yourself and sharing your philosophy of ministry.
3. Link to a recent video of you engaged in ministry, teaching, or speaking. (Optional)