KidsLife Assistant Director

Life Church Buffalo; Buffalo, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Life Church Buffalo seeks a KidsLife Assistant Director to lead discipleship pathways for children birth through 5th grade and to help families engage in faith at home. The role focuses on developing Sunday morning content, coaching volunteers, and coordinating family discipleship initiatives.

You will partner with the KidsLife Director to refine strategies, supervise onboarding, and plan seasonal events that foster community and spiritual growth among kids and families.

Responsibilities

• Champion a clear, step-by-step discipleship pathway for kids (birth–5th grade).
• Collaborate with KidsLife Director to develop and refine strategies that help kids grow in knowing and following Jesus.
• Ensure all environments, content, and experiences align with discipleship goals.
• Create opportunities for kids to practice spiritual habits (prayer, Scripture, worship, serving).
• Equip leaders and volunteers to disciple kids, not just manage classrooms.
• Oversee and create engaging, age-appropriate Sunday morning content.
• Write and refine lesson plans, small group guides, and family discipleship tools.
• Manage media content to enhance learning experiences in person and online.
• Ensure theological accuracy and practical application in all content.
• Upload and organize materials across Planning Center, Slack, and Dropbox.
• Communicate weekly plans clearly to teams.
• Recruit, develop, and multiply leaders within KidsLife.
• Oversee onboarding and training systems for new and existing volunteers.
• Lead orientations, trainings, and leadership development opportunities.
• Regularly connect with volunteers to encourage, coach, and provide feedback.
• Ensure volunteers feel equipped, confident, and fulfilled in their roles.
• Help develop and implement strategies that will support parents in the discipleship of their children.
• Create and send weekly parent emails with practical discipleship tools.
• Develop resources that help families engage in faith conversations at home.
• Oversee social media content that reinforces weekly teaching and vision.
• Ensure environments are clean, safe, engaging, and aligned with ministry vision.
• Oversee classroom setup, supplies, and overall readiness.
• Support teams in creating excellent and welcoming experiences for kids and families.
• Lead, under the direction of the KidsLife Director, in regular leadership meetings and touchpoints.
• Provide direction, support, and accountability for Team Leaders and Coordinators.
• Participate in or lead occasional 1:1 meetings for coaching and development.
• Plan and execute events that build community among families, create outreach opportunities, and provide hands-on discipleship experiences.
• Oversee event strategy, communication, and execution with teams.

Job description

30 – 40 Hours/Week
Compensation: $18-$22/ Hour

Mission – Helping Kids Know and Follow Jesus Step by Step

The KidsLife Assistant Director carries out the vision and execution of KidsLife discipleship by creating environments, systems, and relationships that help children and families grow in their faith.

Primary Focus: Discipleship Leadership (12–15 hours/week)

• Champion a clear, step-by-step discipleship pathway for kids (birth–5th grade)
• Collaborate with KidsLife Director to develop and refi ne strategies that help kids grow in knowing and following Jesus
• Ensure all environments, content, and experiences align with discipleship goals
• Create opportunities for kids to practice spiritual habits (prayer, Scripture, worship, serving)
• Equip leaders and volunteers to confi dently disciple kids, not just manage classrooms

Discipleship Content & Curriculum Development (4-6 hours/week)

• Oversee and create engaging, age-appropriate Sunday morning content
• Write and refi ne lesson plans, small group guides, and family discipleship tools
• Manage media content to enhance learning experiences in person and online
• Ensure theological accuracy and practical application in all content
• Upload and organize materials across Planning Center, Slack, and Dropbox
• Communicate weekly plans clearly to teams
• Recruit, develop, and multiply leaders within KidsLife
• Oversee onboarding and training systems for new and existing volunteers
• Lead orientations, trainings, and leadership development opportunities
• Regularly connect with volunteers to encourage, coach, and provide feedback
• Ensure volunteers feel equipped, confi dent, and fulfi lled in their roles

Parent Discipleship & Communication (3-4 hours/week)

• Help develop and implement strategies that will support parents in the discipleship of their children
• Create and send weekly parent emails with practical discipleship tools
• Develop resources that help families engage in faith conversations at home
• Oversee social media content that reinforces weekly teaching and vision
• Ensure environments are clean, safe, engaging, and aligned with ministry vision
• Oversee classroom setup, supplies, and overall readiness
• Support teams in creating excellent and welcoming experiences for kids and families

Leadership & Team Development (3–4 hours/week)

• Lead, under the direction of the KidsLife Director, in regular leadership meetings and touchpoints
• Provide direction, support, and accountability for Team Leaders and Coordinators
• Participate in or lead occasional 1:1 meetings for coaching and development

Events & Family Engagement (Seasonal)

• Plan and execute events that:
  • Build community among families
  • Create outreach opportunities
  • Provide hands-on discipleship experiences
• Oversee event strategy, communication, and execution with teams

Additional Expectations

• Proficient (or willing to become proficient) in Planning Center workflows
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
• Organized, proactive, and able to lead multiple priorities
• Heart for discipling kids, equipping leaders, and partnering with families
• Model a growing, authentic relationship with Jesus

God has a place for YOU where your unique abilities and passions can touch the lives of others for His glory—both within the walls of Life Church and beyond.

Discipleship happens when we pursue and prioritize authentic community and spiritual growth. No matter what stage of life you are in, there is a Life Group for you.

Our vision is that we are a local church of Christ-followers who love in outreach with intentionality so that those far from God may be brought closer to Him.