Director/Pastor of Lower Elementary Children’s Ministries (Little Light)
Open Door Presbyterian Church
[KC] 3001 Centreville road, Herndon, Virginia 20171
[EC] 2999 Centreville road, Herndon, Virginia 20171
www.opendoorpc.org and www.odpcec.org
Full-Time
Posted on November 11, 2025

Our Church:

Open Door Presbyterian Church (ODPC) is an independent church governed by elders and located in Fairfax County in Northern Virginia; it started in the early 1980s and consists of two inter-dependent congregations: the English-speaking Congregation (EC) and the Korean-speaking Congregation (KC). The EC and KC are governed by their board of elders, and issues affecting both congregations are addressed jointly by both the EC and KC boards of elders. Approximately 600 adults attend two EC services on Sundays, while approximately 2,000 attend four KC services. EC service attendees are predominantly Korean-American, though there has been a slight increase in attendees of other ethnicities, reflecting the growing ethnic diversity of the populations in Northern Virginia in general and in Fairfax County in particular.

Our vision is “to be an open door to a life-changing grace,” and our mission is to be “Gospel communities sent in the every day.”

Purpose:

The Director/Pastor of Lower Elementary Children’s Ministries (Little Lights, LL) will serve as a shepherd, teacher, and leader for ODPC’s 1st–3rd grade children. This role provides spiritual leadership, oversees volunteers, partners with parents, and ensures a safe and Christ-centered environment where children can grow in their love for Jesus and His church. As a full-me pastoral position, this role combines weekly teaching, weekday discipleship resource development, major event leadership (VBS, Fall Family Festival, Christmas Program), and pastoral care for children and families.

Primary Responsibilities & Dues:

1. Ministry Leadership & Administration

Develop and implement a dynamic, Christ-centered vision for the Lile Lights Ministry.
Work collaboratively with the CM Pastor and CM Team toward ODPC’s overall CE/CM vision and interdependence.
Maintain LL’s roster and children’s information in the church database.
Serve as liaison between CM Pastor, volunteers, and parents, coordinating necessary meetings to engage mutual cooperation
Develop and manage ministry budget, curriculum, and supplies.
Ensure compliance with ODPC’s child protection policies.
Keep regular oﬃce hours during the week and actively participate in staﬀ meetings.
Coordinate teacher/volunteer training and regular team meetings
Collaborate across other CM ministries such as KC/EC Fruitful Vineyard (Kindergarten) and Kids for Christ (4–6th graders)

2. Sunday ministry—Manage the weekly Sunday children’s services

Prepare and deliver weekly Bible messages.
Coordinate logistics of Sunday services (praise, lessons, slides, materials).
Oversee volunteer rotations, substitutes, and praise team practices.
Welcome and integrate new families into the ministry

3. Friday Ministry

Actively cooperate with current Friday Night Program, AWANA, fostering close partnership with the Awana Commander and directors.
In coordination with CM Pastor, develop and manage a weekly Friday night program during summer season , such as Bible Study, Christian worldview sessions, Children revival or other similarly themed gatherings.

4. Volunteer Development

Recruit, train, and shepherd ministry volunteers (teachers, TAs, youth helpers).
Provide spiritual encouragement and discipleship for volunteers.
Foster a healthy team culture through relationship building and training opportunities.

5. Parent & Family Engagement:

Communicate weekly with parents about lessons, acvies, and upcoming events.
Support parents in their discipleship role through encouragement, resources, and seminars.
Build connections among LL families to strengthen church community.
Provide pastoral care and family visitation (home or hospital) as needed and scheduled with the CM or GC Pastor, especially during transition-to-Youth years.
Maintain confidentiality and appropriate pastoral boundaries

6. Major Annual Events (in collaboration with CM Team)

Teacher/ TA Training: Participate in planning and execution of joint training in Spring, and lead LL ministry volunteer training in Fall
Vacation Bible School (VBS): Lead planning, recruitment, and implementation of LL VBS activities in coordination with CM Pastor and other CM directors.
Fall Family Festival: Support planning and oversight of activities, outreach, and volunteer coordination for this community-wide event.
Christmas Program: Coordinate with CM Pastor and other CM Directors to develop and direct the LL children’s Christmas worship program, involving parents and volunteers.
Support other CM-wide events including Passion Week/Easter, Graduation & Promotion Sundays, New Year’s Eve, and other church-wide activities as needed.

7. Weekday Ministry Development & Discipleship Training

Prepare for a weekday group meeting highlighting discipleship and spiritual formation for students
Prepare and develop devotional content, lesson resources, or creative activities for children and families during the week.
Contribute to curriculum or teaching material development (e.g., discipleship program for children, Chrisan worldview resources for families).
Collaborate with the CM Pastor to create family discipleship tools that equip parents to nurture faith at home.
Attend weekly and/or Monthly CM staﬀ meetings

Qualifications

Seminary education required: M.Div., M.A. in Theological Studies, M.A. in Christian Education, Counseling, or equivalent.
A born-again Christian with a growing relationship with Christ.
Love for children and commitment to shepherding families.
Strong teaching/preaching skills for children’s ministry.
Excellent administrative, organizational, and communication skills.
Ability to build, equip, and lead volunteer teams.
Commitment to the authority of Scripture and ODPC’s mission.
Minimum two-year commitment.

Accountability

The Director/Pastor of the Little Lights Ministry is accountable to the Children’s Ministry Pastor, who serves as the primary supervisor, and works under the oversight of the CE Elders.

Compensation

Competitive Salary commensurate with Experience

Application Process

Applications Accepted By:

Mail: Open Door Presbyterian Church (3001 Centreville Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171)
Email: odpc.cm@opendoorpc.org (Subject Line: Director of Little Lights Ministry )
Fax: 703 318 8971

Application Materials Required

Resume/CV
Cover Letter
Personal Testimony of Faith
Statement of Faith / Philosophy of Ministry
Two References (pastoral and peer)
One or two Teaching/Preaching Samples

More Information

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XtwvLhLPLAMMY60PIo0RR5vq78woMlae/view

DIRECTOR/PASTOR OF LOWER ELEMENTARY CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES (Little Light) – Open Door Presbyterian Church (Full-Time)