Children's and Youth Work Lead

New Wine; Haywards Heath; Remote; GBP 27,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Ruwach Christian Church is seeking a Children's and Youth Work Lead to develop and expand our Sunday children's and youth ministries while growing missional reach in the community, including midweek groups and local schools.

We are a family church meeting in a local school with a warm community. The role includes leading volunteers, developing curricula, and coordinating rotas; it requires commitment to safeguarding and active church involvement.

Qualifications

• Experience in children's and youth ministry preferred.
• Genuine commitment to safeguarding and church life.

Responsibilities

• Draw children, young people, families and carers into worship and community life.
• Inspire and support the Christian faith adventure of families within the church.
• Lead the current work with children and youth at Ruwach.
• Lead the team of volunteers working with children and youth.
• Prepare bi-monthly rotas for children's and youth work on Sundays.
• Develop the curriculum used for children and youth on Sundays.
• Take a meaningful part in worship and church life.
• Develop connections with local schools and midweek groups.
• Meet weekly with Lead Pastor and Church Administrator.
• Be part of the Operations Team (monthly evening meeting).
• Lead termly team meetings; report at AGM.
• Occupation-specific requirement of practising Christian faith.

Job description

Hours

Full Time

27,000

30,000

Description of Job

We are looking for a Children's and Youth Work Lead who will lead and develop our children's work and youth work on Sundays whilst also looking to increase our missional impact in the community through midweek groups and involvement with local schools.

Context for the role: Ruwach is a welcoming family church meeting in a local school with a congregation of 80-100 people, including approximately five children aged 11-16, fifteen children aged 2-11 and five babies under the age of 2. With increasing numbers of families joining the church and new babies being born, we are looking to invest in the area of children's and youth ministry - both to serve the existing congregation and to expand our community impact as we seek to become increasingly missional as a church.

Main duties are to:

-Support us with finding ways of drawing children, young people, families and carers into the worshiping and community life of the congregation

-Inspire and support the Christian faith adventure of families within our church community

-Lead the current work that is being done with children and youth at Ruwach

-Lead the team of volunteers working with children and youth at Ruwach

-Prepare bi-monthly rotas for children's work and youth work on Sundays

-Develop the curriculum used for children and youth on Sundays

-Take a meaningful part in the worship of the congregation and in the life and activities of the church

-Develop connection with young people and families in our local area through the development of midweek groups and schools' work, including leading our parents and babies' group.

Other duties:

-Meet weekly with Lead Pastor and Church Administrator (Monday morning)

-Be a key part of the Operations Team at Ruwach (monthly evening meeting)

-Lead termly team meetings with the Children's Work and Youth Work Team

-Give feedback to the church about children's work and youth work at the Annual General Meeting.

Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week) although part-time will be considered.

Holiday: 5 weeks per year plus Bank Holidays.

Salary: £27 - 30k (dependent on experience).

Closing Date: 1 st November 2026, however we reserve the right to close the application process early, should a suitable candidate come forward and be appointed before the closing date.

Duration: The post is subject to a 6-month probationary period, thereafter fixed-term for a further 12-month period.

Safeguarding: As a church, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all people, especially children, young people and adults at risk. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check and comply with all safeguarding policies and procedures.

Occupational Requirement: As this role involves Christian leadership and ministry to children and young people, there is a genuine Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010 for the postholder to be a practising Christian with a professed, demonstrated and active Christian faith.

The successful candidate will be expected to be in agreement with Ruwach Christian Church's Statement of Faith, support the church's vision, mission and values and become (or already be) an active member of Ruwach Christian Church.

For a copy of the full job description and application form, please visit our website and for any further information regarding the role, please contact the Lead Pastor, Tom Partis, at [e-mail]

We are a vibrant, Spirit-filled family church with a heart for the community.