VACANCIES

KIDS PASTOR

We’re searching for a visionary Kids Pastor to oversee our thriving and fast-growing ministry to 0-11s and their families, and help us make River Kids the highlight of their weeks!

Part-time | Up to £27,500 (pro rata)

Closing date: 20th September 2026

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Role Profile

Job title: Kids Pastor

Department: Rising Generations

Reports to: Senior Leaders

Principal location: River Church Ipswich, Key Street, IP4 1BZ

DBS check required: Yes

Special conditions of employment: There is a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder is a Christian, as permitted under the Equality Act 2010.

Start date: As soon as possible

Working days/hours: Part-time (20-24 hours per week)

Rate of pay: Up to £27,500 pro rata depending on experience

Travel: May be required on occasion

Holiday: 25 days per annum plus bank holidays (pro rata)

Probation period: 6 months

Contract length: Negotiable

Other expectations: Whilst the role will usually be Sunday to Thursday, the role holder will need to be available to work some other key dates, such as special services (Christmas, Easter etc.), annual meetings, and Focus (our annual one-week church holiday in the summer). It is expected that staff members will be active members of River Church—praying at prayer meetings, serving on team, giving financially, and growing as part of a Hangout.

For a candidate with the right skillset and character, this role could be combined with another role currently vacant.

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Key Responsibilities

• Oversee River Church’s mission and ministry to Kids (0-11s) and their families, leading significant growth in number and depth of discipleship

• Lead, pastor, co-ordinate, train, and grow the River Kids Team

• Oversee, plan and lead kids-focussed aspects of Sunday services, working to expand capacity and grow numbers of children and families involved

• Plan and lead midweek groups, activities, courses, and events aimed at children and families, such as Baby Love (our group for parents, babies, and toddlers), the Parenting Course, and other future groups (including a new service for kids and families)

• Lead kids ministry within local primary schools and nurseries, such as taking assemblies, leading after-school or lunch clubs, RE lessons and similar activities, as opportunities arise, building on existing contacts and developing new partnerships

• Make contact and build relationships with unchurched and de-churched kids and families in Ipswich, and lead them on a pathway of discipleship, equipping the Kids Team to do the same

• Inviting parents and carers to Alpha and creating opportunities to run Alphas suitable for this demographic (i.e., through providing childcare or at strategic times and locations)

• Collaborate with the Social Transformation department where their work serves children and young families, to build their connection with River Church

• Train, mentor, and prepare members of the Kids Team to ensure the provision of excellent kids worship, mission, and ministry, and to release team members into leadership where appropriate

• Work with Senior Leaders and other ministry staff to plan events, meetings, and services

• Manage the kids department budget

• Manage and mentor Kids Team River College Students (interns), releasing them into appropriate levels of leadership

• Lead and contribute to Alpha, Staff Meeting, Department Meetings, Prayer Meeting, Hangouts, Focus, and Sunday Services (including some preaching and/or teaching)

• Collaborate with the Communications and Media Manager to curate River Kids social media channels

• Work with the Student Pastor to assist in River Church’s ministry to young people (11-18), and to ensure a smooth transition from River Kids to River Youth

• Ensure that kids team volunteers are recruited safely, following the safer recruitment policy, and that all regulatory requirements regarding safeguarding and health and safety are met, attending training as required

• Manage DBS checks and safeguarding training across River Church, working closely with the Safeguarding Officer

• Ad hoc tasks and other project work which enhances the ministry and mission of River Church

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Person Specification

Personal qualities and beliefs

It is essential that the role holder:

• has a mature, personal faith in and relationship with God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit

• is a baptised Christian who believes and embodies the orthodox Christian teaching revealed in the Bible and in accordance with the CEEC basis of faith and declarations

• is committed to the dream, purpose, and goals of River Church, and passionate about seeing people coming to know Jesus in Ipswich

• has a passion for reaching children with the gospel and to seeing them grow into all that God has created them to be in Christ

• has the capacity to provide spiritual leadership within the kids team and to contribute to the spiritual direction of the wider church

• is theologically astute

Personal skills and abilities

It is essential that the role holder:

• has the ability to teach, train and develop kids team volunteers

• has excellent teamwork and team-building skills, and is able to manage, motivate, and encourage others

• has excellent organisational skills and time management

• is self-motivated

• has excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to connect with children

• has outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal

• has a high attention to detail and high production values

• is able to manage a departmental budget

• is flexible, with a can-do attitude

• is teachable, has a desire to learn and grow, and is willing to undergo any necessary training

• understands the importance of confidentiality and has good self-awareness

• has enthusiasm, energy, commitment, and a sense of humour

Knowledge, qualifications, and experience

It is essential that the role holder:

• has experience in leading services, prayer, and worship for kids

• has outstanding ability to communicate Christian teaching to kids

• has confidence ministering in the Holy Spirit

• has a thorough understanding of statutory Child Protection/Safeguarding requirements

It is desirable that the role holder:

• has relevant degree-level qualifications connected to children, education, and/or theology

• is experienced in and/or has the ability to learn to use Mac OS X, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and ChurchSuite

• has an eye for design and aesthetics

• is able to use digital technology and social media to contribute to kids ministry

• is able to preach to and teach adults, as well as children

• has other skills which could contribute to the wider life and ministry of River Church

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Notes for Applicants

We particularly welcome applications from candidates whose ethnicities are underrepresented in the Church of England. We would welcome informal conversations with anybody considering applying for this position. Email matt.key@riverchurchipswich.org to get in touch. When completing the application form, please feel free to continue your answers on separate pages if you require more room.

We reserve the right to close applications and/or shortlist at any time. As such, we recommend applying for this role at your earliest convenience.

We will inform you as to whether or not you will be invited for interview once applications have closed.

Interviews will be held in person at River Church Ipswich, Key Street, IP4 1BZ.

Please bring your passport (and, if necessary, proof of right to work in the UK) and a document showing proof of your home address, such as a utility bill or bank statement, to your interview.

Please note that any offers made are subject to: the receipt of satisfactory references; satisfactory completion of a DBS check, safeguarding training, and any other training necessary for the role; proof of right to work in the UK; satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period; and agreement to adhere to the policies and procedures of River Church.

When you apply for this role, please also complete the Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form at the bottom of this page.

• Based at Applaud Coffee, St Peters Street, Ipswich

• Starting date:  Oct/Nov 2026

ABOUT APPLAUD COFFEE

We are a strong, skilled, passionate and friendly team working together to achieve our vision to be the best coffee shop in Ipswich: to create the best customer experience and to be a thriving workplace for our team. 

We’re a growing business and are looking for someone interested in long term commitment. We have a positive working environment with a culture of feedback that enables personal development and business growth.

We want to employ someone who is passionate about quality food, drink and customer service. It’s a busy workplace with a lot going on at once, so if you’ve ever been described as ‘on it’ in a previous job, you’ll be a strong contender for this role. 

Applaud Coffee is part of River Church Ipswich, and has a positive, Christian ethos and values. All of our profits go towards River Church’s work in the community, including River Store, which provides more than 50,000 meals per year for those in financial difficulty.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

This position is perfect for someone that thrives in a busy and fast paced environment. Working as Barista & Kitchen Assistant is a varied role and you will need to be able to turn your hand to a range of tasks, including: taking orders, preparing drinks, cooking breakfasts, preparing lunches, baking cakes, washing up, running food and clearing tables.

You will take pride in the Applaud brand and embody the core values of Applaud to fulfil our vision to be the best coffee shop in Ipswich.

POSITION

• Reporting to Coffee Shop Manager 

• Hours are flexible, part-time or full-time, and will vary according to rota needs

MAIN TASKS

• Embody the Applaud core values

• Deliver excellent customer service with an attention to detail

• Prepare and produce food and drink products of a high and consistent quality to tight deadlines

• Baking Applaud cakes for the shop counter and external orders

• Perform general kitchen and coffee shop duties e.g serving, cooking, washing up and cleaning

• Maintain an environment of cleanliness and ambience at all times

SKILLS / QUALIFICATIONS

Essential 

• Numerate and literate

Desirable 

• Food Hygiene certificate

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential 

• Hardworking, reliable and honest 

• Experience in a commercial kitchen 

• Exceptional customer service 

• Confident and competent baker / cook

• Able to thrive in a busy and fast paced environment 

• Excellent communication skills 

• Ability to troubleshoot situations 

• Organised, efficient and able to prioritise

• Able to show initiative and work well under pressure

• High attention to detail 

• Energetic with a positive mindset 

• Sympathetic to the Christian faith, able to uphold River Church’s ethos statement and code of conduct, and invite customers to River Church events as appropriate

• Enthusiasm for and the ability to embody the vision and values of Applaud 

Desirable

• Barista and/or hospitality experience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The job is physically demanding. You will be required to stand for extended periods of time and

to lift and carry stock to and from the basement.

WHAT WE OFFER 

• £12.71 per hour (or National Minimum Wage for those aged under 21)

• Any 2 drinks from the Applaud menu on shift

• Free coffee and tea off shift

• Free lunch on shifts of over 6 hours

• 20% discount on retail products

• Pension contributions

HOW TO APPLY

If you think you’re right for this role, we’d love to hear from you. 

Click the button below to apply now.

Struggling with the form? Please email admin@applaud.coffee with ‘Barista/Kitchen Assistant’ in the subject line, along with your CV and a cover letter, telling us why you want to join Applaud Coffee and communicating your experience and suitability for the position.