Children's Ministry Program Director

About Wooddale Church

Wooddale Church is a multigenerational, Bible-teaching church in Minnesota with campuses in Eden Prairie, Edina and the University of Minnesota. With a mission to honor God by making more disciples for Jesus Christ, Wooddale has a rich history and a future of sharing the gospel locally and globally by planting churches, supporting global partners and serving its local community.

Overview

At Wooddale Church, we exist to honor God by making more disciples for Jesus Christ. The Woods Kids Program Director advances that mission by leading engaging, Christ-centered ministry environments where children develop a lifelong relationship with Jesus.
This full-time position provides leadership for the planning, development, implementation, and continual improvement of all elementary and Pre-K programming at the Eden Prairie Campus. The Program Director ensures every ministry experience is biblically faithful, immersive, developmentally appropriate, engaging, safe, and aligned with Wooddale Church's discipleship strategy.
Working in close partnership with the Children's Director and the Woods Kids staff team, this role champions excellence in curriculum implementation, classroom environments, ministry innovation, volunteer leadership, and spiritual formation while helping children and families develop a resilient, lifelong faith in Jesus Christ.

Responsibilities

Ministry Programming

• Develop, oversee, and continually improve programming for Woods Kids, Fourth Grade Ministry, EP Campus WOW, Camp Woods Kids/Vacation Bible School, Children's Choir, and additional ministry events.
• Create engaging ministry environments that encourage children to know God, understand Scripture, build authentic relationships, and take meaningful next steps in their faith.

Curriculum & Discipleship

• Lead the implementation, customization, and continual evaluation of curriculum to ensure it is biblically accurate, immersive, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with Wooddale Church's discipleship strategy.
• Partner with the Children's Director to develop curriculum resources, volunteer teaching materials, and family discipleship tools.
• Equip volunteers and parents to reinforce biblical truth beyond weekend programming.

Ministry Innovation & Spiritual Formation

• Launch and lead a distinct Fourth Grade ministry that bridges children into 5/6 Ministry.
• Evaluate ministry effectiveness and develop innovative ministry opportunities.
• Coordinate children's worship experiences, Children's Choir, student-led worship and technology teams, and faith milestone experiences.

Student Leadership & Ministry Operations

• Develop leadership pathways that encourage children to follow Jesus, worship fully, build life-changing relationships, live generously, and share the hope of Jesus.
• Maintain ministry environments that are safe, welcoming, organized, creative, immersive, and spiritually engaging.
• Support recognition systems celebrating Scripture memory, participation, spiritual growth, and faith milestones.
• Ensure compliance with Children's Ministry safety policies and delegate responsibilities appropriately.

Team Collaboration

• Partner with the Children's Director and Children's Ministry staff to accomplish ministry goals.
• Collaborate with Volunteer & Events, Administrative, and Communications staff to ensure excellence in programming, logistics, and communication.
• Participate fully in staff meetings, planning sessions, ministry events, and collaborative initiatives.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and wholehearted support of Wooddale Church's mission, vision, and values.
• Bachelor's degree in Education, Children's Ministry, Family Studies, or related field preferred.
• Three to five years of children's ministry leadership experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of child development and age-appropriate discipleship.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to recruit, lead, equip, and encourage volunteers.
• Experience with Microsoft Office, Planning Center, and ministry software preferred.
• Must become or remain a regular participant in weekend services and a member in good standing at Wooddale Church.

Relationships

Reports To: Children's Director

Benefits & Compensation

Wooddale Church offers a comprehensive benefits package for all 40+ hour full-time employees, which includes opportunities to elect Medical (30+ hour full-time), Dental, Life/AD&D, HSA, Flex, LTD, optional Vision, optional Life/AD&D, optional STD, a Health & Wellness Plan and a 403(b) retirement plan with company match and immediate vesting. The projected salary range for this role is $55,000 - $65,000 depending upon qualifications and experience. 

Expected Hours of Work and Travel

Attend staff meetings, planning meetings, trainings, and ministry events. Maintain an on-campus presence including Sunday mornings. Schedule includes weekday, evening, weekend, and seasonal ministry responsibilities with occasional travel to other Wooddale campuses.

Physical Demands

Frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, computer use, and active participation in Children's Ministry environments. Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.

Other Duties