Emmanuel Baptist Church Overland Park, KS www.emmanuelopks.org EBC YouTube Channel

Snapshot

Denomination: Southern Baptist Convention

Weekly Attendance: 350

Location: Overland Park, KS

The Role: Pastor of Children and Young Families

Meet Emmanuel Baptist Church

Emmanuel Baptist Church is a biblically grounded, multi-generational Southern Baptist church in Overland Park, Kansas. Founded in 1964, they have a rich 62 year history of faithfully preaching the Word of God and taking bold steps to plant Christ-centered churches throughout the KC metropolitan area.

Three core values championed by the EBC family are Biblical Preaching, Authentic Community, and a Great Commission Focus. They believe that the uncompromising teaching and preaching of God's Word is the only foundation upon which a truly fulfilling and God-honoring life can be built. As they gather as one body for corporate worship, study the Bible in small groups, and devote themselves to prayer, members regularly "spur one another on toward love and good deeds." The ripple effect is felt locally through ministries to fostering families, young moms, and hospital patients. It is felt internationally as EBC shares the love of Christ with children all around the world and supports missionaries in nations with little access to gospel witness.

Since 1964, Emmanuel Baptist Church has been the church on the hill in Overland Park, KS- a beacon of gospel-light shining in a world increasingly at home in spiritual darkness. It is EBC's earnest prayer that the Lord continues to bless and enable them to stand as a bold gospel-witness in this generation and for many generations to come.

About the Pastor of Children and Young Families

This is a full-time position that reports to the Executive Pastor. The main responsibility of this role is to make disciples of children and their families and develop strategies to engage children and young families outside of the EBC community to integrate them into the full life of the church.

The Pastor of Children and Young Families Responsibilities Include

Biblical Teaching

• Foster a welcoming, biblical, and dynamic Sunday morning discipleship experience for children birth-6th grade at both the 9:30 AM and 10:45 AM hour.
• Organize and execute a high quality Awana program on Wednesday evenings for children birth through 6th grade.
• Organize and execute a high quality, Bible-centered MomCo program on select Tuesday mornings in the fall and spring.
• Equip young families with the resources to disciple their children in the home.
• In collaboration with the Teaching Pastor and Executive pastor, choose and implement excellent biblical curriculum and prioritize sound Bible intake in all gatherings of the Children and Young Families ministry.
• Stay aware of the pressures and influences young families and children are facing in their context, and equip them with strategies to maintain a Christian worldview and resist challenges to their faith.

Authentic Community

• Create a recruitment engine for all aspects of the Children's Ministry in which volunteers are inspired to serve by the compelling vision you cast, well-trained, and understand their service as part of Christian fellowship and not merely a task to complete.
• Intentionally foster relationships with the young families of the church and serve as their shepherding pastor.
• Catalyze community among young families such as life group and fellowship opportunities.
• Ensure that children are integrated into the larger body of the church.
• As time allows, support children in their activities outside of church to build relationships with their family and friends.
• Communicate regularly with Children's Ministry families. (Send out a regular newsletter and champion children's events to the whole EBC congregation through our promotional outlets and social media.)

Great Commission Focus

• Develop systems to actively assimilate young families and their children into the life of the church.
• Foster a culture of welcome and invitation that permeates all aspects of the Children and Young Families ministry.
• Plan and implement outreach strategies / events that would integrate new children and their families into the life of our church.
• Mobilize the whole congregation to serve and participate. Examples include:
  • VBS
  • Easter Eggstravaganza Outreach Event
  • Fall Fest Outreach Event
  • Special events for 5th and 6th graders
  • Mom's day out or date night ministry
  • Ministries and accommodations for families with special needs
  • Ensure that current security and check-in policies conform with modern standards and expectations.
  • Be intentional about seeking next steps in a child's spiritual development including inviting them to commit their lives to Christ and seek believer's baptism as they grow in understanding.
  • Stay up-to-date on current trends and best practices in children's / young families ministry.
  • Work with the Executive Pastor to appropriately create ads and promotions that will seek to engage unchurched children and their families.

Other responsibilities

• Act as staff liaison to the security ministry (meetings 6 times a year).
• Serve as an authorized check signer for EBC
• Oversee Children's Ministry administrative staff
• Staff liaison for weddings and funerals
• Partner with administrative specialist staff in the coordination of churchwide meals and events including monthly
• Wednesday night dinners (setup, volunteers, food).
• Preach occasionally on Sunday mornings.

What You Bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Pastor of Children and Young Families:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's or master's degree in a ministry-related field, preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in vocational ministry in the local church, preferred.
• Children's and Young Families Ministry experience, preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Robust knowledge of scripture and sound biblical interpretation / doctrine
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills
• Ability to connect with people and inspire action
• Enthusiastic about learning new ministry skills, systems, and technologies
• Familiar with Planning Center and check-in systems

Personal Characteristics & Qualifications

• Strong personal faith in and commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ
• A man of exemplary Christian character who meets the qualifications of an elder (I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9).
• Passion for discipling children and their parents
• Openness to collaboration and feedback.
• Strong intrinsic motivation
• A strong sense of calling to children's and young families ministry in particular

What it's Like to Live in Overland Park, KS

Overland Park is a great place to live, work, and play. From its low crime rate and excellent schools to attractions such as the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead and the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, to a strong corporate presence, Overland Park remains a nationally recognized city. Just a sampling of the awards and honors Overland Park has received thus far in 2025 include Safest Cities in America (WalletHub), Top Mid-Sized Cities for Grads in 2025 (CoworkingCafe), Best Cities to Raise a Family, (WalletHub), and 50 Best Suburbs to Live in the U.S. for Families Seeking Quality Living (Money, Inc.). It is the second largest city in the KC metro, the median age is 38.4, and the median household income is $100,876. Adding to the quality of life, the Kansas City region is known for its famous BBQ, world champion professional sports teams, and over 35 miles of paved hiking and biking trails in Overland Park alone. The Kansas City area is also home to Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, providing a source of top-quality speakers, events, and access to ongoing theological education and a large theological library.

Interested candidates are invited to complete the steps below in order to apply and be considered for the position:

Submit a cover letter describing your interest and a resume summarizing your qualifications and experience. If possible include a web link to a sample teaching video. Send the cover letter, resume and sample teaching link to [email protected]

The Executive Pastor will respond indicating receipt of these materials and outlining next steps.