Willow Kids 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. The Mission As the Willow Kids Pastor for our Wheaton location, 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. Willow Wheaton is a portable church location with an office in West Chicago and services taking place at Wheaton Academy in Wheaton, IL. What You'll Do 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 Wheaton campus is a vibrant reflection of our overall mission. Why Willow? 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:

$45,000-$63,000 (commensurate with experience and education).

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. Success is

Defined As :

A thriving Wheaton Kids ministry where innovation is the norm, volunteers are thriving, and every child leaves knowing they have a place in God's story. Ready to lead? Let's change the world together.

Requirements:

What you bring:

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 Servant Leader:

Your goal is to serve your volunteers, kids and congregants and nothing is beneath you if it needs doing.

A Jesus Follower :

Your leadership flows from a genuine, growing relationship with Christ.

Qualifications Experience:

2+ years in kids ministry preferred

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.