Kids​/Childrens Pastor, Birth-3rd Grade

Campus: Yorba Linda
Church Size: 6,000+
Compensation: $65,000-$70,000/year
Employment Type: Exempt

The Kids Pastor is a strategic leader and disciple-maker who builds and leads a thriving ministry for kids (Birth–3rd Grade), including our midweek programming and Champions Ministry for kids and young adults with special needs. This leader empowers volunteers and equips parents to be the primary spiritual influence in their child’s life. They partner with the Next Gen Team to develop a holistic, gospel-centered discipleship experience that helps kids gather in worship, grow in groups, and go serve the world.

This role is more than programming—it’s about building a culture where kids encounter Jesus, families feel equipped, and volunteers are inspired to lead.

• Create and implement a strategic vision for Friends Kids that aligns with the mission and discipleship strategy of Friends Church.
• Provide direct leadership, support, and development to a dynamic Kids Ministry staff team.
• Build a healthy volunteer culture by recruiting, training, equipping, and celebrating servant leaders.
• Create leadership pathways that empower volunteers to take ownership and multiply their impact.

• Oversee weekend gatherings (Birth–3rd Grade), ensuring excellence in curriculum, teaching, safety, worship, and experience.
• Oversee and cast vision for weekday ministries, including 3 years - 3rd Grade Bible Adventure Club Wednesday Night programming.
• Oversee the Champions Ministry, providing an inclusive and nurturing experience for kids and adults with special needs.

• Develop intentional strategies and resources that inspire and equip parents to disciple their kids at home.
• Collaborate with the Discipleship Team to connect parents into Parent Groups on Wednesday nights.
• Build meaningful relationships with parents that offer support, encouragement, and spiritual guidance.

• Create opportunities for kids to serve both locally and globally.
• Partner with schools and community organizations to build bridges of influence.
• Equip and activate kids to use their gifts through ministry teams.

• Work collaboratively with Next Gen, Weekend Experience, and Communications teams to ensure events and ministry align with the broader church vision.
• Participate in church-wide events such as VBS, Family Fun Fest, Tree Lighting, and Baptism Celebrations.
• Serve as a liaison to Friends Christian School to build partnerships that bless students and families.

• A passionate follower of Jesus with a deep love for kids and families.
• A visionary leader and developer of teams—gifted at building culture and mobilizing people.
• Proven experience leading in a Kids or Family Ministry in a mid- to large-size church.
• Knowledgeable in child development, spiritual formation, and inclusive ministry for kids with special needs.
• Collaborative, innovative, organized, and deeply relational.
• A team player who thrives in a fast-paced, creative environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in ministry, education, child development, or related field required.
• 3–5+ years of experience in a leadership role within a Kids or Next Gen Ministry.
• Experience supervising staff and leading large teams of volunteers.

Friends Church is a growing, multi-generational community located in North Orange County, California. We are committed to becoming a community of authentic Christ-followers, compelled to change our world. We believe the next generation matters—and we are passionate about helping kids and families know and follow Jesus.

If you’re called to invest in the next generation and want to be part of something bigger than yourself, we’d love to meet you. Come help us build a ministry where every kid is known, loved, and led to follow Jesus—and every parent feels supported on their journey.

Apply today and help us build the church of tomorrow.

• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement plan with employer match, parental leave, professional development allowance, and…