Children and Families’ Pastor

Highfield Church Southampton; Southampton; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9% pension

Holiday allowance

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

Highfield Church in the United Kingdom is seeking a dedicated Children and Families' Pastor to ignite faith in children and grow a vibrant Kids ministry. You will lead sessions, train volunteers, and partner with families to create welcoming environments where children encounter Jesus.

Ideal candidates have experience with children in church settings, a missional heart for families, and a shepherding approach.

Qualifications

• Be passionate about children meeting Jesus and growing in faith.
• Experience working with children and in church ministry.
• Willing to engage in the church's discipleship process and model it to others.
• Warm, approachable and able to motivate volunteers and families.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Highfield Kids ministry on Sundays and during the week.
• Develop engaging programs to help children meet, know and serve Jesus.
• Work with volunteer leaders, helpers and parents to create a welcoming community.
• Ensure safeguarding best practices across all activities and events.

Skills

Children ministry

Team leadership

Volunteer empowerment

Safeguarding

Job description

• Are you passionate about igniting and growing faith in children?
• Do you have a genuine love for Jesus and a desire to lead by example?
• Are you gifted at building teams and empowering volunteers?

If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you as the Children and Families' Pastor at Highfield Church.

We are a thriving evangelical and charismatic Anglican Church passionate about both the Word and the Spirit. Our aim is to encounter God, grow together, and seek His kingdom. As the Children and Families' Pastor, you will play a vital role in exciting our children and families about following Jesus.

• Encountering God - Create environments where children can meet Jesus and experience His presence. Facilitate opportunities for families to encounter God together.
• Growing Together - Foster a sense of community and belonging among children and families, especially through Highfield Kids on Sundays.
• Seeking the Kingdom - Empower children to serve and share Jesus with others. Pioneer opportunities to grow relationships with children and families throughout the week through our contacts with the School, at Tiddlywinks and in Open House.

Leading our Highfield Kids ministry on Sunday and throughout the week, you will develop engaging programs and activities to help children meet Jesus, know Jesus, and serve and share Jesus. You will work with volunteer leaders, helpers and parents to create a vibrant and welcoming Highfield Kids community. Our Kids' ministry has 30-35 under-11s regularly present on a Sunday (65 in total engaged). You will be supported by a church community that values the missing generations, is committed to their growth, and values its partnership with our School.

If you have a heart for children, a passion for Jesus, and a desire to see families transformed by His love, we invite you to join our team. Together, let's inspire the next generation to become devoted disciples of Jesus and active participants in His kingdom.

For you to be right for the role we have, we need you to:

• Be passionate about children meeting Jesus, encountering the Holy Spirit in their worship and prayer time and supporting them in their discipleship
• Have experience of working with children and ministering to them
• Be willing to engage personally in our church discipleship process of encountering God, growing together and seeking the kingdom, in turn modelling it to others
• A heart for young families
• Be warm and approachable
• Be an encourager and motivator - particularly of children, parents and volunteers
• Be able to organise and administer a complex area of responsibility, including ensuring excellent safeguarding practice
• A sense of humour and fun and a delight in action songs and games

For us to be right for you, your personal Christian faith should be consistent with those of Highfield Church - we want you to be happy and settled within our large, friendly staff team and church community.

Ideally we are looking for an individual with experience, and this would have a salary of £31,000 per annum. However if you are earlier in your ministry journey and seeking your first full time ministry role, a starting salary of £28,000 per annum will be offered. We also offer a 9% contributory pension scheme, great holiday allowance and relevant training and development opportunities. This role is 40 hours per week, on a flexible working pattern - it will include varied daytime, evening and Sunday hours. We are also open to applications from those who would be interested in working part-time or term time, possibly as part of a job share. Please ensure you indicate your preference/availability within the additional information section of the application form.

Are we for you? Are you for us? Is this God bringing us together?

This role is only open to individuals with the current right to work in the UK.
The closing date for applications is 25th November 2026
Interviews will be around 5th and 6th December 2026

Highfield Church is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to acceptable pre-appointment checks, and where appropriate includes a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check.