General Information

Job Title:

Director/Pastor of Lower Elementary (Little Lights): Open Door Presbyterian Church

Job Description:

Purpose

The Director/Pastor of Lower Elementary Children's Ministries (Little Lights, LL) will serve as a shepherd, teacher, and leader for ODPC's 1st–3rd grade children. This role provides spiritual leadership, oversees volunteers, partners with parents, and ensures a safe and Christ-centered environment where children can grow in their love for Jesus and His church. As a full-time pastoral position, this role combines weekly teaching, weekday discipleship resource development, major event leadership (VBS, Fall Family Festival, Christmas Program), and pastoral care for children and families.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

1. Ministry Leadership & Administration

• Develop and implement a dynamic, Christ-centered vision for the Little Lights Ministry.
• Work collaboratively with the CM Pastor and CM Team toward ODPC's overall CE/CM vision and interdependence.
• Maintain LL's roster and children's information in the church database.
• Serve as liaison between CM Pastor, volunteers, and parents, coordinating necessary meetings to encourage mutual cooperation
• Develop and manage ministry budget, curriculum, and supplies.
• Ensure compliance with ODPC's child protection policies.
• Keep regular office hours during the week and actively participate in staff meetings.
• Coordinate teacher/volunteer training and regular team meetings
• Collaborate across other CM ministries such as KC/EC Fruitful Vineyard (Kindergarten) and Kids for Christ (4–6th graders)

1. Sunday Ministry (Weekly Worship & Teaching)

• Prepare and deliver weekly Bible messages.
• Coordinate logistics of Sunday services (praise, lessons, slides, materials).
• Oversee volunteer rotations, substitutes, and praise team practices.
• Welcome and integrate new families into the ministry.

1. Friday Ministry

• Actively cooperate with current Friday Night Program, AWANA, fostering close partnership with the Awana Commander and directors.
• In coordination with CM Pastor, develop and manage a weekly Friday night program during summer season, such as Bible Study, Christian worldview sessions, Children revival or other similarly themed gatherings.

1. Volunteer Development

• Recruit, train, and shepherd ministry volunteers (teachers, TAs, youth helpers).
• Provide spiritual encouragement and discipleship for volunteers.
• Foster a healthy team culture through relationship building and training opportunities.

1. Parent & Family Engagement

• Communicate regularly with parents regarding lessons, activities, and events.
• Support parents in their discipleship role through encouragement, resources, and seminars.
• Build community connections among LL families.
• Provide pastoral care and family visitation (home or hospital) as needed and scheduled with the CM or GC Pastor, focusing on prayer, encouragement, and short-term care.
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriate pastoral boundaries.

1. Major Annual Events (in collaboration with CM Team)

• Teacher/ TA Training: Participate in planning and executing Joint training in Spring, and lead Little Lights ministry volunteer training in Fall
• Vacation Bible School (VBS): Lead planning, recruitment, and implementation of VBS ministry activities for LL in coordination with CM Pastor and other CM directors.
• Fall Family Festival: Support planning and oversight of activities, outreach, and volunteer coordination for this community-wide event.
• Christmas Program: Coordinate with CM Pastor and other CM Directors to develop and direct the Little Lights ministry children's Christmas worship program, involving parents and volunteers.
• Support other CM-wide events including Passion Week/Easter, Graduation & Promotion Sundays, New Year's Eve, and other church-wide activities as needed.

1. Weekday Ministry Development

• Prepare for a weekday group meeting highlighting discipleship and spiritual formation for students
• Prepare and develop devotional content, lesson resources, or creative activities for children and families during the week.
• Contribute to curriculum or teaching material development (e.g., discipleship program for children, Christian worldview resources for families).
• Collaborate with the CM Pastor to create family discipleship tools that equip parents to nurture faith at home.
• Attend weekly and/or Monthly CM staff meetings.

Position Qualifications:

Qualifications

• Seminary education required: M.Div., M.A. in Theological Studies, M.A. in Christian Education, Counseling, or equivalent.
• A born-again Christian with a growing relationship with Christ.
• Love for children and commitment to shepherding families.
• Strong teaching/preaching skills for children's ministry.
• Excellent administrative, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to build, equip, and lead volunteer teams.
• Commitment to the authority of Scripture and ODPC's mission.
• Minimum two-year commitment.

Application Materials Required

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• Personal Testimony of Faith
• Statement of Faith / Philosophy of Ministry
• Two References (pastoral and peer)
• One or two Teaching/Preaching Samples

Accountability

The Director/Pastor of the Little Lights Ministry is accountable to the Children's Ministry Pastor, who serves as the primary supervisor, and works under the oversight of the CE Elders.

Application Deadline

12/31/2025

Job Type:

Full Time

Salary Range:

$55k-$70k

General Information

Church/Organization Name

Open Door Presbyterian Church

Contact Name & Contact Info

Industry

Church

Denomination

Presbyterian - Other

City, State

Herndon, VA

Description of Organization

Open Door Presbyterian Church (ODPC) is an independent church governed by elders and located in Fairfax County in Northern Virginia; it started in the early 1980s and consists of two inter-dependent congregations: the English-speaking Congregation (EC) and the Korean-speaking Congregation (KC). The EC and KC are governed by their board of elders, and issues affecting both congregations are addressed jointly by both the EC and KC boards of elders. Approximately 600 adults attend two EC services on Sundays, while approximately 2,000 attend four KC services. EC service attendees are predominantly Korean-American, though there has been a slight increase in attendees of other ethnicities, reflecting the growing ethnic diversity of the populations in Northern Virginia in general and in Fairfax County in particular.

Our vision is "to be an open door to a life-changing grace," and our mission is to be "Gospel communities sent in the every day."

Apply Online Contact Via Email