WE’RE SEEKING OUR NEXT KIDS PASTOR
AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ELKHART
Denomination: Baptist
Weekly Attendance: 1,450
Location: Bristol, Indiana
The Role: Kids Pastor
Meet First Baptist Church Elkhart
First Baptist Church has deep roots in the Elkhart community, beginning in 1860 when a small group of believers gathered downtown with a shared passion to follow Christ and reach others with the Gospel. The church now calls an 85,000-square-foot facility on 40 acres on the northeast side of the city home—a space designed for worship, ministry, and community.
Known for its heart for evangelism and outreach, FBC exists to glorify God by equipping believers to love God, love people, and influence the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Each Sunday, FBC gathers for multiple contemporary worship services, welcoming about 1,100 adults and 350 children on campus, with many more joining online. The words “worship,” “walk,” and “work” help encapsulate the ministry at FBC as believers lift Jesus’ name high, grow spiritually within community, and devote their lives to advancing His kingdom.
Recently, God has blessed FBC with an influx of young families, inspiring a discipleship journey focused on generosity and saying “Yes” to more ministry, more outreach, and more impact. The church recently broke ground on a major building project that will add more Sunday seating, additional parking, and a significantly expanded Kids Ministry space—including a gymnasium, indoor play park, kids’ auditorium, and extra classrooms.
ABOUT THE POSITION
FBC Elkhart is now seeking a high-capacity Kids Pastor to oversee all ministries from birth through 6th grade. This leader will bring fresh vision, structure, and pastoral care to our next generation families, as well as helping the church fully realize the potential of the new Kids Ministry spaces currently being built. The right candidate for this role will have a deep personal life in Christ and the character and capacity that align with the church’s overall mission and vision.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE LEADING HERE
Exciting Growth Season: FBC is expanding the campus to add a new gymnasium, indoor play park, Kids Auditorium, and additional classrooms — all designed to fuel next-gen ministry.
Forward Momentum: The church is all-in for reaching the next generation. There’s strong vision, energy, and investment toward Kids Ministry.
Thriving Kids Ministry: Each Sunday, FBC welcomes approximately 350 kids (birth–6th grade) with 425 kids actively connected to the ministry.
Supportive Team Structure: You’ll serve alongside a Kids Ministry Director and Early Childhood Coordinator who bring passion, experience, and teamwork to the table.
Impact Through Education: Elkhart Christian Academy, a K–12 Christian school, operates as a ministry of the church at a nearby campus, giving us a unique opportunity to disciple kids and families beyond Sunday mornings.
Clear Ministry Scope: This role provides visionary pastoral leadership for ministry to infants through 6th-graders, helping kids take their next steps in faith from the very beginning.
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Serves the Pastoral Staff:
Joins the Pastoral Team in shepherding the church by caring for the spiritual needs of children and families at FBC.
Kids Ministry:
Provides visionary leadership for the FBC Kids Ministry, including direct oversight and coaching of staff (Kids Director, Early Childhood Coordinator) and volunteer teams
Oversees the recruitment, training, and care of Kids Ministry volunteers, fostering a culture of excellence and Christlike service
Oversees all FBC Kids programming and events, ensuring they are biblically sound, engaging, and well-organized
Equips parents as the primary disciplers of their children by offering resources, encouragement, and pastoral support
Communicates and advocates for the ministry’s needs with church leadership to align with FBC’s overall mission and vision
Cultivates a warm, safe, and vibrant environment where children grow in faith; engages regularly and positively with children in the program
Applies Biblical principles and child development best practices in curriculum, programming, discipline, and classroom design
Helps to ensure the physical, emotional, and spiritual safety of all children by maintaining high standards of care, appropriate volunteer conduct, and adherence to FBC safety policies
Helps optimize and steward new FBC Kids Ministry venues established through LIMITLESS to advance FBC’s mission
Serves the Support Staff:
Communicates and advocates for the needs of FBC Kids Ministry to staff and church leaders
Oversees and develops staff team members under his care
Assists in any interdepartmental projects as needed
Serves the Congregation:
Serves and cares for FBC’s growing demographic of young families, helping to scale practices and programming in proportion to the increase God provides
Seeks to develop and motivate each family of FBC in deepening their walk with Christ while striving to unite with and complement other ministries within the church
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Expectations:
Meets the qualifications for Elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7 & Titus 1:6-9)
Participates as a member of the Elder Council
Becomes a Member of First Baptist Church
Will sign the church Ministry Leader’s Covenant
Preferred: Possesses three to five years of pastoral experience in leading a children’s or family ministry program
Expected to live an exemplary life modeling the call, character, and competencies of a follower of Jesus Christ
Expected to be involved in the overall life of the church body by actively participating in Life Groups and other ministry-wide events and functions
Has strong computer and administrative skills for handling emails, coordinating events, organizing, brainstorming, and managing a budget
Demonstrates a high level of professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues and can handle complaints and problems with tact, patience, and diplomacy
Demonstrates an enthusiastic, flexible, and willing spirit to work within constantly changing priorities
Is committed to excellence in the development, implementation, and execution of the FBC Kids Ministry
Is a passionate, dedicated, and contributing member of the Pastoral Staff Team
Participates as needed or requested in the development and implementation of the overall church ministry
Possesses bachelor’s degree (preferred in ministry area)
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This position is accountable to the Executive Pastor of Ministries.
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This is a full-time salaried position with full benefits.
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO LIVE IN ELKHART, INDIANA
Elkhart is a city in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. It has a population of about 52,000 and most residents tend to own their homes. The city is located in easy driving distance from multiple major cities such as South Bend, Fort Wayne, Grand Rapids, Chicago, and Indianapolis. The community of Elkhart gives a small-town feel, making the people very tight-knit and friendly. You will find mostly families and retirees in this area. Elkhart County, due to its large RV manufacturing industry, is known as “The RV Capital of the World.” The Elkhart downtown is situated at the intersection of the St Joseph and Elkhart rivers and is a thriving, walkable downtown rich in an Arts heritage.
Some of its most enjoyed attractions include the Aquatic Center and the Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Elkhart is home to the historic Lerner Theater which brings in many popular shows and musical artists. This town also has easy access to the campus of Notre Dame and a large shopping district. In Elkhart, you will find the perfect place to settle and raise a family.