Children's Pastor

Willow Creek; Illinois; On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mental health counseling reimbursement

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Willow Creek is seeking a visionary Willow Kids Pastor for our Huntley campus to lead Birth–5th Grade ministry. You’ll recruit and develop a world-class volunteer team, partner with parents, and collaborate with the Campus Pastor and Central Kids team to shape a vibrant, gospel-centered environment where kids feel deeply loved by God.

You’ll own weekend programming, big events, and safety-centered experiences, equipping families to raise kids who follow Jesus and participate joyfully in our

Qualifications

• 2+ years leading kids’ ministry or high-level programs.
• Ability to recruit and mobilize volunteers.
• Undergrad degree preferred, with hands-on ministry experience.
• Heart for kids and desire to see them thrive in Christ.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a world-class Willow Kids volunteer team.
• Partner with parents as the primary resource for families.
• Execute weekend programming and big events with excellence and safety.
• Collaborate with Campus Pastor and Central Kids team to reflect the mission.

Skills

Talent scout

Solution oriented

Cultural leadership

Christian faith

Education

Undergrad degree

Job description

Description

At Willow Creek, we don’t believe kids are the "future" of the church—we believe they are the church. We’re looking for a visionary leader who doesn't just want to "babysit" the next generation but wants to ignite their faith, empower their families, and build a ministry where every child knows they are deeply loved by God.

If you are a high-capacity leader who sees a playground as a mission field and a volunteer team as a movement, we want to talk to you.

The Mission

As the Willow Kids Pastor for our Huntley campus, you’ll be the architect of the Birth–5th Grade experience. You won’t be doing this in a silo; you’ll be a key part of our campus leadership team and our central Willow Kids family. Your goal? To create environments so engaging that kids drag their parents to church.

What You’ll Do

• Build the Dream Team: Recruit, train, and champion a world-class volunteer team. You aren't just filling slots; you’re developing leaders.
• Partner with Parents: Act as the primary advocate and resource for families as they navigate the beautiful chaos of raising kids who follow Jesus.
• Execute with Excellence: From weekend programming to "big win" events, you’ll ensure every touchpoint is safe, fun, and spiritually intentional.
• Collaborate & Cast Vision: Work alongside the Campus Pastor and Central Kids team to ensure the Huntley campus is a vibrant reflection of our overall mission.

Why Willow?

We are an egalitarian, multi-site church passionate about helping people take their next steps with God. Here our Mission is to Love God. Love People. Change the World.

• Salary: $65,000–$75,000 (commensurate with experience).
• The Benefits: Full medical, dental, and vision; retirement match; parental leave; and generous PTO.
• The Perks: Mental health counseling reimbursement and tuition assistance. We care about the whole you.

Success is Defined As: A thriving Huntley Kids ministry where innovation is the norm, volunteers are thriving, and every child leaves knowing they have a place in God's story.

Ready to lead? Let’s change the world together.

Requirements

What you bring:

• A Talent Scout: You have a sense for spotting leadership potential in others.
• A Solution Specialist: When a problem arises, you’ve already thought of three ways to fix it before the meeting starts.
• A Cultural Cheerleader: You live out our values: Trust is your default, Grit is your style, and Joy is your attitude.
• A Jesus Follower: Your leadership flows from a genuine, growing relationship with Christ.

Qualifications

• Experience: 2+ years leading kids’ ministry or high-level programs.
• Leadership: A proven track record of building and mobilizing teams.
• Education: Undergrad degree preferred (but we value your "in the trenches" experience too).
• Heart: You genuinely love kids and want to see them thrive.