Children's Pastor

Description

At Willow Creek, we don’t believe kids are the "future" of the church—we believe they are the church. We’re looking for a visionary leader who doesn't just want to "babysit" the next generation but wants to ignite their faith, empower their families, and build a ministry where every child knows they are deeply loved by God.

If you are a high-capacity leader who sees a playground as a mission field and a volunteer team as a movement, we want to talk to you.

As the Willow Kids Pastor for our Huntley campus, you’ll be the architect of the Birth–5th Grade experience. You won’t be doing this in a silo; you’ll be a key part of our campus leadership team and our central Willow Kids family. Your goal? To create environments so engaging that kids drag their parents to church.

• →Build the Dream Team: Recruit, train, and champion a world-class volunteer team. You aren't just filling slots; you’re developing leaders.
• →Partner with Parents: Act as the primary advocate and resource for families as they navigate the beautiful chaos of raising kids who follow Jesus.
• →Execute with Excellence: From weekend programming to "big win" events, you’ll ensure every touchpoint is safe, fun, and spiritually intentional.
• →Collaborate & Cast Vision: Work alongside the Campus Pastor and Central Kids team to ensure the Huntley campus is a vibrant reflection of our overall mission.

We are an egalitarian, multi-site church passionate about helping people take their next steps with God. Here our Mission is to Love God. Love People. Change the World.

• Salary: $65,000–$75,000 (commensurate with experience).
• The Benefits: Full medical, dental, and vision; retirement match; parental leave; and generous PTO.
• The Perks: Mental health counseling reimbursement and tuition assistance. We care about the whole you.

Requirements

• A Talent Scout: You have a sense for spotting leadership potential in others.
• A Solution Specialist: When a problem arises, you’ve already thought of three ways to fix it before the meeting starts.
• A Cultural Cheerleader: You live out our values: Trust is your default, Grit is your style, and Joy is your attitude.
• A Jesus Follower: Your leadership flows from a genuine, growing relationship with Christ.

• Experience: 2+ years leading kids’ ministry or high-level programs.
• Leadership: A proven track record of building and mobilizing teams.
• Education: Undergrad degree preferred (but we value your "in the trenches" experience too).
• Heart: You genuinely love kids and want to see them thrive.