Pastor of Children and Young Families

Job Description

PASTOR OF CHILDREN & YOUNG FAMILIES

Emmanuel Baptist Church – Overland Park, KS www.emmanuelopks.org

The Opportunity

Emmanuel Baptist Church is a biblically grounded, multi-generational Southern Baptist church with a rich history of faithful preaching and church planting in the Kansas City area.

We believe God has positioned our church for a new season of reaching and discipling young families—and we are seeking a high-capacity leader to build and lead a thriving, disciple-making ministry to children and their parents.

This is not simply a role to maintain existing programs.

This is an opportunity to shape the future of the next generation at Emmanuel.

About the Role

The Pastor of Children and Young Families will serve as one of the pastor-elders of Emmanuel, sharing in the spiritual leadership and shepherding of the church alongside the pastoral team, while giving primary vision, leadership, and strategy to the discipleship of children (birth–6th grade) and their families.

This role reports to the Executive Pastor and works closely with the staff team.

What You’ll Lead

1. VISION & STRATEGY

• Develop and implement a clear, compelling vision for children and young families that aligns with the mission of Emmanuel
• Build systems that move families from first-time guests ? engaged ? growing disciples
• Evaluate and strengthen existing ministry environments to maximize effectiveness and alignment

1. DISCIPLESHIP ENVIRONMENTS

• Lead engaging, biblically rich Sunday and midweek environments for children
• Ensure all teaching and curriculum are theologically sound and developmentally effective
• Equip parents to disciple their children in the home

1. VOLUNTEER & LEADER DEVELOPMENT

• Build and sustain a healthy, growing volunteer culture
• Recruit, train, and develop leaders—not just fill roles
• Create systems that make serving clear, meaningful, and sustainable

1. OUTREACH & ASSIMILATION

• Design and execute strategies to reach unchurched families in the community
• Ensure clear, effective follow-up and next steps for new families
• Lead key outreach initiatives (e.g., VBS, seasonal events, family-focused gatherings)

1. SHEPHERDING & COMMUNITY

• Build relationships with young families and serve as a pastoral presence in their lives
• Foster meaningful community among families through groups and connection points
• Help integrate children and families into the broader life of the church

Serve as a visible and trusted pastoral presence in the broader life of the church, not only within the children and families ministry

What Success Looks Like

• A growing and engaged volunteer leadership team
• Increasing number of young families connecting into groups and church life
• Clear and effective assimilation pathway for new families
• Strong, engaging discipleship environments for children
• Measurable impact in reaching new families in the community

Who You Are We are seeking not simply a ministry leader, but a pastor who will serve as part of our pastoral team, helping shepherd and lead Emmanuel as a whole.

A PASTOR & LEADER

• You carry the heart of a shepherd, not just a ministry builder
• You think in systems, not just programs
• You take ownership and move things forward
• You can build, organize, and improve ministry environments

A DISCIPLE-MAKER

• You are passionate about helping children and families follow Jesus
• You value both theological depth and practical application

A TEAM BUILDER

• You recruit and develop people naturally
• You create cultures people want to be part of

A MISSIONAL THINKER

• You are energized by reaching people not yet connected to the church
• You think beyond the walls, not just within them

Qualifications

• Meets the biblical qualifications of an elder (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1) and is able to serve in a pastoral leadership role within the church
• Strong biblical and theological foundation
• 5+ years of ministry experience preferred (children, next-gen, or other pastoral leadership)
• Proven ability to lead teams and build systems
• Strong communication and relational skills

About Emmanuel Baptist Church

Denomination: Southern Baptist Convention Attendance: ~350 Location: Overland Park, KS (Kansas City metro)

Emmanuel is committed to:

• Biblical Preaching
• Authentic Community
• Great Commission Focus
• We are a church that values both deep theological conviction and active mission, locally and globally.

About Overland Park, KS

• Overland Park is one of the best places to live in the United States, known for:
• Excellent schools
• Safe, family-friendly communities
• Strong economy
• Access to the Kansas City metro (culture, sports, food)

Next Steps

If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, please submit:

• Resume
• Cover letter (including your sense of calling to this role)
• Teaching sample if available (video link preferred)

Send materials to: dbailey@emmanuelopks.org