Hope Kids Fourth & Fifth Grade Lead

Position: Hope Kids 4th & 5th Grade Lead
Job Type: Full-Time (40 hours/week)
Department: Hope Kids
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports To: Hope Kids Lead Pastor

Overview

The Hope Kids 4th & 5th Grade Lead provides vision, leadership, and oversight for HOPE's preteen ministry, creating engaging, age-appropriate environments where children can grow in their understanding of God and take meaningful next steps in their faith.

This role leads the strategy, programming, volunteer experience, and family engagement for the 4th- and 5th-grade ministry, while partnering closely with the broader Hope Kids and Hope Students teams to provide a seamless discipleship pathway into middle school. The ideal candidate is a growing follower of Jesus who demonstrates strong relational skills, creativity, organizational excellence, and a passion for developing both children and volunteers.

This position supports HOPE's mission of offering experiences, relationships, and places where people can find life and purpose through Jesus Christ by helping children and families Reach, Grow, Plant, and Go through intentional discipleship and engaging ministry environments.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the 4th & 5th Grade Ministry

• Provide vision and leadership for the 4th- and 5th-grade ministry.
• Create engaging environments that help preteens know Jesus and take next steps in their faith.
• Develop and communicate a clear discipleship pathway for this life stage in partnership with parents.
• Partner with Hope Students to intentionally prepare and transition students from elementary ministry into middle school.
• Plan and lead milestone experiences such as faith commitments, baptisms, promotions to 4th grade, and the transition to Hope Students.
• Attend Hope Students Middle School gatherings approximately once per month to build relationships, strengthen collaboration between ministries, and support a healthy transition from 5th grade into middle school.

Plan and Execute Sunday Experiences

• Plan and oversee engaging Sunday-morning experiences for 4th- and 5th-grade students.
• Adapt and implement curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and biblically engaging.
• Serve as the primary Large Group teacher for 4th- and 5th-grade students.
• Develop weekly large group and small group content, experiences, and teaching elements.
• Regularly evaluate ministry environments to ensure excellence, consistency, and effectiveness.
• Partner with the Worship Ministry to develop and lead an annual live worship experience or worship series.

Lead Events and Family Engagement

• Plan and execute quarterly events (outside of Sunday mornings) for 4th- and 5th-grade students and their families.
• Lead the annual summer camp experience for 4th and 5th graders, including volunteer leadership and event coordination.
• Foster meaningful relationships with parents and equip them as the primary spiritual influence in their children's lives.
• Participate in planning and executing Hope Kids ministry-wide events and initiatives.

Develop Volunteers

• Serve as the primary communicator for the 4th- and 5th-grade ministry.
• Partner with the Hope Kids Volunteer Lead to recruit, onboard, train, develop, and retain volunteers.
• Encourage, equip, and care for volunteers while fostering a healthy, enjoyable culture of service.
• Provide coaching, encouragement, and regular communication to volunteer leaders.

Support Ministry Operations

• Coordinate preparation teams to organize curriculum materials and supplies.
• Manage curriculum, programming, and supply budgets.
• Oversee themed stage décor and environmental elements aligned with the curriculum.
• Serve within elementary environments on Sunday mornings as needed.
• Perform other ministry responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Demonstrates a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and a lifestyle consistent with HOPE's mission, values, and beliefs.
• Passion for discipling children and partnering with families.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrates creativity, initiative, and attention to detail.
• Ability to recruit, lead, and develop volunteers.
• Able to manage multiple projects and priorities while maintaining excellence.
• Works collaboratively within a team environment and responds well to coaching and feedback.

Preferred

• Experience in children's ministry or educational programming.
• Experience developing curriculum, lesson plans, or teaching environments.
• Understanding of child development and age-appropriate learning strategies.
• Experience leading teams or volunteers.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to climb ladders as needed for stage and environment preparation.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 35 pounds.
• Ability to move throughout campus and ministry environments as needed.

Expected Hours of Work

• Full-time, 40 hours per week.
• Regular weekday office hours, Monday–Thursday.
• Regular Sunday presence required (approximately 7:00 am–1:00 pm).
• Occasional Friday and Saturday hours required for camps, events, volunteer development, and seasonal ministry activities.
• Participation in Family Ministries events, all-staff gatherings, volunteer trainings, and HOPE "All-In" days, including Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday.