Children & Youth Lead

Children and Youth Director Gateway Community Church - Fortville, Indiana Full-Time | 40 Hours per Week | Reports to Pastor Gateway Community Church is seeking a relational, organized, and dependable leader to oversee ministries for children (infant-5th grade) and youth (6th-12th grade). This role combines volunteer leadership, program planning, parent engagement, and community outreach to create a safe, welcoming, and meaningful environment where young people and their families can grow in faith and connection. A central focus of this role is supporting parents as the primary spiritual influence in their children's lives, while building strong connections between the church, Gateway Preschool families, and the wider Fortville community. Key Responsibilities Children's Ministry (Infant-5th Grade)  Recruit, schedule, and support Sunday volunteers for children's ministry  Plan engaging, age-appropriate lessons and activities for Sunday mornings and special events  Maintain a 12-month rolling ministry calendar for children's programming  Ensure Safe Sanctuaries compliance and safety procedures  Create welcoming environments for visiting children and families  Build strong relationships with children and their parents through consistent communication and encouragement  Develop occasional family-focused gatherings that help parents engage faith practices at home Youth Ministry (Grades 6-12)  Lead youth group gatherings, Confirmation, service projects, camps, and special events  Provide relational care and encouragement to students and families  Help youth grow in faith, service, and leadership within the church  Oversee The Landing Place (Monday evenings) a ministry supporting teens navigating addiction and recovery  Create pathways for youth to serve in worship, children's ministry, and mission opportunities  Develop outreach strategies to welcome and connect with new students Parent & Family Engagement  Encourage and equip parents as the primary spiritual leaders in their homes  Communicate regularly with families through newsletters, updates, and personal connection  Offer seasonal or occasional parent-focused gatherings, workshops, or conversations  Provide resources that help families practice faith together at home  Support parents navigating the spiritual and developmental stages of their children and teens  Build relationships with both church families and families connected through the preschool Preschool Partnership & Community Outreach Gateway Community Church operates a weekday preschool that serves many families in the community. This role will help strengthen the relationship between the church and preschool families.  Maintain a welcoming presence at select preschool events and gatherings  Build relationships with preschool parents and caregivers  Support occasional church outreach campaigns that intentionally connect with preschool families  Collaborate with staff to host events such as: Family fun nights. Holiday celebrations. Parenting conversations, Community service opportunities  Help create pathways for preschool families to feel comfortable engaging with the broader church community Volunteer & Community Leadership  Recruit, train, and support volunteers across children and youth ministries  Cultivate a culture of encouragement, teamwork, and appreciation among volunteers  Communicate clearly and consistently with ministry teams  Develop partnerships with local schools, youth organizations, and community programs  Participate in community outreach campaigns that welcome new families to Gateway Church Engagement & Administration  Maintain a Sunday morning presence (9:00-11:30 AM)  Attend monthly staff and supervision meetings  Set annual ministry goals aligned with Gateway's mission  Manage schedules, communication, and ministry budgets responsibly  Contribute to church communication channels (newsletter, social media, website) as needed Qualifications  Experience working with children and/or youth (church, nonprofit, or educational setting preferred)  Demonstrated ability to recruit, organize, and lead volunteers  Strong relational, organizational, and communication skills  Ability to manage multiple responsibilities with reliability and initiative  Successful completion of background check and Safe Sanctuaries training  Active Christian faith and commitment to church ministry What We Offer  Flexible scheduling with partial remote work  PTO as outlined in the Staff Handbook  Supportive staff team and collaborative leadership culture  Opportunity to shape and grow a thriving ministry for children, youth, and families To Apply Email a resume and letter of interest to: Pastor Kevin kevin.smigielski@gatewayfortville.org

Pay:

$20.00 - $22.00 per hour

Benefits:

Flexible schedule Parental leave

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Fortville, IN 46040