PRESENTS
KID'S MINISTRY DIRECTOR
AT MORAGA VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - MORAGA, CA
SNAPSHOT
The Moraga Valley (Lafayette - Moraga - Orinda or Lamorinda) and greater Bay Area are some of the richest harvest fields in the entire country. The culturally diverse people of the local and greater community are multi-generational. Families decide to raise their children in the area as the schools are rated in the top quartile in the state. Young professionals seeking proximity to San Francisco, Oakland, and Walnut Creek as well as a safe, family-friendly community consistently choose the Lamorinda area. With the appointment of a new Lead Pastor, Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church (EPC) is poised for a new season of momentum and growth. They are known in the community for their intentional involvement and generosity. The program is healthy and growing with more than 70 volunteers and we need a leader to help MVPC be effective at ministering to the growing number of young families we are seeing at church. Family Ministries, including Kid’s Ministries, Student Ministries, and Nurtury preschool, are seen as high priority ministry and a means of effective outreach.
HISTORY & CURRENT
HISTORY
Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church (MVPC) began in 1961 when Moraga was a new residential community. The congregation first met in a school, then acquired its current hillside property. In its first ten years MVPC became a congregation of several hundred members. In 1982 MVPC called Jim Rueb to be the Senior Pastor, which coincided with God’s readiness to significantly expand the church’s life and ministry. With a renewed focus on Christ, proclamation of God’s Word, and a greater vision for reaching the Lamorinda area, MVPC began to deepen its spiritual life, grow its membership, and expand its youth ministry to meet the spiritual needs of the community. MVPC completed and dedicated its beautiful new Worship Center in Spring 1992.
The 1990s was a decade of further growth for MVPC, powered in part by the development of dynamic ministry for children, youth and young families. During this time, God’s reach through MVPC also began extending beyond Moraga. MVPC’s commitment to families and future generations is unwavering. Their Family Ministry Complex provides space for our Kids and Student Ministries and to our Christ-centered preschool, The Nurtury. Dedicated in 1999, the FMC is now a second home for hundreds of young people.
CURRENT STATUS
In January 2023, the congregation wholeheartedly approved the nomination of Brandon, and he was ordained by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church denomination. This moment marked not just the beginning of a new chapter for the church but also a testament to the congregation’s unwavering faith and determination throughout their journey. On March 5, 2023 Pastor Morrow was installed as MVPC’s Lead Pastor.
MVPC is a beautiful mix of a traditional and contemporary church, with a modern worship approach, and a ministry function and structure of a Presbyterian church. Moraga Valley Church has approximately 400 in worship on a Sunday. There is a high level of reverence and love for the word of God and strong biblical teaching. Discipleship is at the core of Moraga Valley's DNA. A strong kid's ministry is central to the future and effectiveness of MVPC.
VISION AND VALUES
VISION
The vision of Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church are as follows:
We see a vibrant and diverse community that joyfully surrenders all of life to making disciples for the glory of Jesus.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
The Strategic Priorities of Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church are as follows:
Belong: Creating entry points for people to join our church family
Transform: Helping people grow as disciples through prayer, evangelism, equipping and NextGen ministries
Engage: Mobilizing our congregation to reach our community (Lamorinda & East Bay) and multiply gospel impact
WHAT WE BELIEVE
The Westminster Confession of Faith is a confessional statement of orthodox Presbyterianism, our standard of doctrine as found in Scripture.
ESSENTIALS OF OUR FAITH
We are affiliated with the EPC, a global movement of evangelical Presbyterian churches.
"In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity."
The “Essentials of Our Faith” document compiled by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) distills from the Westminster Confession core beliefs of the Christian faith common to believers and churches throughout the world. MVPC affirms these essentials to be, truly, essential statements of faith.
KID'S MINISTRY APPROACH
JOYFUL
SURRENDER
Moraga Valley Church is really a part of and for their community. The kid ministry is well know as one of the best in the area and partnership with that ministry is vital. There are new young families that are coming and visiting the church. There is some palpable excitement and honest engagement with the New Lead Pastor.
KID'S MINISTRY
At Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church (MVPC), our aim is to create a space where kids feel like they truly BELONG—a fun, safe, and welcoming environment that kids enjoy and parents trust—so that God can work in the hearts of each child.
We believe that the good news of Jesus has the power to TRANSFORM a child’s life. MVPC Kids is a ministry built on the truth that every child is loved, forgiven, and invited into a life of purpose with Jesus. We are committed to helping families remove barriers to encountering Christ, recognizing that parents play a central role in their children’s spiritual journey.
Volunteers are vital to the success of MVPC Kids, and we place a high priority on recruiting, training, and retaining dedicated teams. Through building consistent small groups, empowering committed ministry leaders, and maintaining rigorous safety standards, we ensure that our volunteers are well-equipped to serve and ENGAGE with both children and their families as they grow together in faith.
COMMUNITY
Relationships and community are the backbone of discipleship and development. Dedicated and engaged leaders facilitate conversation and deeper understanding of the Bible for children. The Nurtury preschool has a significant waiting list. The church and preschool provide a safe and encouraging environment for them to know their faith from the Nurtury through elementary and pre-teen. In all of this MVPC wants to be a community partner for families to provide faith familiarity in community and provide opportunities for families to connect and find support.
LEADERSHIP
Moraga Valley is a staff-led church, with a system of accountability for Senior Leadership through a group of church elders. The Leadership is blessed with an experienced team, with Brandon shaping and casting the vision and direction of the church.
Lead Pastor, Brandon Morrow
MVPC recently hired Brandon Morrow as their new Lead Pastor. He brings excitement for those engaging with Christianity for the first time. Younger families are being drawn to the church through his fresh vision, contagious attitude, and the relational investment he is making in the community. Brandon has a passion for evangelism and discipleship and cites his passion for reaching those who don’t know Jesus as having stemmed from not growing up in the church. After coming to faith in Christ at a Presbyterian college, Sterling College (Kansas), Brandon experienced a call to pastoral ministry that was nurtured and grown by his home church. This growth would lead to extensive education, including a Doctoral program in preaching that was offered as a one-time-only program in the field of homiletics, as well as training in the areas of church planting, church revitalization, and multiplication.
CHALLENGE & OPPORTUNITY
TEAM BUILDER/DEVELOPER
The Kid's ministry team at MVPC is fortunate to have exceptional volunteers and parents investing in the ministry. However, those leaders are small in number. MVPC is in search of a skilled team builder to support the team's ongoing development, aligning with the church's growth and vision for Lamorinda. Additionally, they are seeking a leader who can be a unifying force capable of fostering excitement and teamwork throughout the entire team, centered around a shared vision to impact children and families. It is vital that the Kid's ministry director be a leader who invites and invests in the volunteer ministry leadership to help them reach their greatest potential.
SERVANT LEADERSHIP
MVPC is truly a multi-generational community, so the opportunity is not only to build the faith of children but to come alongside parents and equip them as they disciple, lead and love their kids. The opportunity for the next Kid's Ministry Director for MVPC is to serve the community and provide opportunities for the church to serve. Someone who is willing to invest in relationships with families and to become an active member of the community outside the four walls of the church will thrive in this role.
STRATEGIC COLLABORATOR
MVPC has incredible leaders for every area of ministry, and the kids ministry will be no exception. There are excellent people who lead both younger and older children, and it will require collaboration with volunters as well as the Youth Director to see the vision of discipleship for the long term accomplished. The leadership of MVPC is also committed to this being a role with a clear focus on equipping families, so the opportunities for this leader to think creatively about how to make a huge impact are almost limitless.
LOCATION & DEMOGRAPHICS
Moraga is a suburban town of about 17,500 people and is located approximately 20 miles east of San Francisco. It is part of a local community commonly referred to as Lamorinda (Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda), as these 3 communities are in very close proximity to each other. Most residents are homeowners, many with young families. There are also a number of empty nesters and retired folks who stay in the community after their children leave home. There is growing ethnic diversity in the Lamorinda area. The population is generally considered affluent and well-educated. Moraga is also home to St. Mary’s College.
Moraga is in Contra Costa County, which has a population of approximately 1.1 million people. The area is considered one of the best places to live in California-- it offers quiet and spacious living in a beautiful setting, and is close to the larger cities of San Francisco, Oakland, and Walnut Creek. This location provides easy access to restaurants, shopping, parks, and recreational and cultural activities. The public schools are among the highest rated in California. Learn more HERE.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Kid's Ministry Director
As the Kid's Ministry Director at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church, you will play a crucial role in nurturing the spiritual development and growth of our young congregation. You will oversee the design, implementation, and management of all aspects of our kid’s ministry program. This includes creating engaging and age-appropriate educational content, leading a team of volunteers, and fostering a welcoming environment for families.
This position will require flexibility in the hours available for work, including evenings and weekends. This will be a salaried position.
Basic Function: Works closely with the Lead Pastor, Associate Pastor, and Director of Next Gen Ministries to develop and implement a comprehensive program of Christian ministry to birth through elementary.
Key Duties
Program Development and Implementation
- Develop and execute a comprehensive kid’s ministry curriculum that aligns with the church’s mission and values.
- Plan and lead engaging weekly services, events, and activities for children from infancy through elementary school.
- Integrate Bible teachings in a way that is relatable and understandable for children of all ages.
Volunteer Management
- Recruit, train, and support a team of dedicated volunteers to assist in various aspects of the kid’s ministry.
- Foster a positive and collaborative environment among volunteers and provide ongoing guidance and encouragement.
Family Engagement
- Build strong relationships with families and encourage active participation in kid’s ministry programs.
- Communicate effectively with parents and guardians about upcoming events, curriculum updates, and ways to support their children’s spiritual growth.
Administration and Planning
- Manage the kid’s ministry budget, including planning and allocating resources effectively.
- Maintain and update kid’s ministry materials and resources.
- Ensure the safety and well-being of children in all ministry activities, adhering to church policies and child protection standards.
Collaboration and Communication
- Work closely with the NextGen Director, Associate Pastor for Families and Missions, the Lead Pastor and other church staff to ensure cohesive programming and integration with broader church initiatives.
- Participate in regular staff meetings and contribute to the overall vision and strategy of the church.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Theology, Child Development, or a related field preferred.
- Proven experience in children’s ministry, including curriculum development and volunteer management.
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Strong organizational and leadership skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with a talent for engaging children and families.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a team and build positive relationships with volunteers and parents.
- Creative and resourceful with a passion for developing engaging and effective programming for children.
Personal Attributes
- A deep commitment to Christian faith and a desire to foster spiritual growth in children.
- Enthusiastic and approachable with a genuine love for working with children.
- Flexible and adaptable, with a willingness to embrace new ideas and approaches.
Personal Characteristics
- Team first work ethic, solid people skills, and ability to build and maintain positive relationships with employees and volunteers
- Able to train, equip, organize, and manage volunteer teams
- Maintains a teachable spirit
- Must be a continual learner
- Well organized and attentive to details
- Able to work independently and responsibly
- Able to achieve deadlines
Compensation $75 - $85K, based on experience
CONTACT
To find out more, please visit https://www.mvpctoday.org to review core beliefs, vision and values and the many other ministries of the church.
If, after prayerfully reviewing this information, you sense this role and church culture could be a good fit for you, please email your information current resume HERE.