Building Real Community for Our Kids: Join Our Team as Kids Ministries Director

Hey there, friends. Kevin Batson here.

If you’ve spent five minutes at Green River Alliance Church on a Sunday morning, you know exactly what the sound of "real community" looks like. It’s a bit loud. It’s a lot of laughter. It’s the sound of sneakers squeaking on the floor and the occasional "oops" when a juice box goes rogue.

To some, that might just sound like noise. But to us? That’s the sound of a generation finding their place. It’s the sound of kids from Nursery all the way up to 5th Grade realizing that church isn't just a building where their parents hang out: it’s a place where they are known, loved, and shown the way to Jesus.

Right now, we are looking for a special person to help lead that charge. We are officially searching for a part-time Kids Ministries Director (20 hours a week) to join our staff here in Green River, Wyoming.

I’ll be honest with you: this isn't just a "job" to fill a slot on an org chart. We aren't looking for a babysitter-in-chief. We are looking for a leader, a visionary, and someone who gets fired up about seeing a child’s eyes light up when they realize how much God loves them.

Why Kids Ministry Matters So Much

I think we sometimes make the mistake of thinking kids ministry is the "pre-show" for the "real" church happening in the sanctuary. We treat it like a holding tank until they’re old enough to understand the "big words."

But that’s just not how Jesus saw it, is it? He was the one telling the grown-ups to move out of the way so the kids could get to Him. At Green River Alliance Church, we believe kids are the church of today, not just the church of tomorrow.

They need Real Community just as much as we do. They need Real Truth presented in a way they can actually grasp. And they desperately need Real Hope in a world that can feel pretty confusing, even when you’re only seven years old.

What Does This Role Actually Look Like?

If you’re wondering what your week-to-week would look like in this role, let me pull back the curtain a bit. This is a 20-hour-a-week position, which means it’s designed to be flexible but focused.

1. Leading Sunday Morning Programming Sundays are our "game day." You’ll be the point person for making sure our kids' environments are safe, fun, and Gospel-centered. From checking in toddlers to helping 4th graders navigate their Bibles, you’re the one making sure the ship is sailing in the right direction.

2. Vacation Bible School (VBS) If you live in Green River, you know that VBS is a big deal. It’s that one week a year where the energy levels hit the ceiling and we get to reach out to families all over our community. You’ll be the captain of that ship, dreaming up ways to make it the best week of a kid's summer.

3. Building the "Dream Team" Here’s a secret about ministry: you can’t do it alone. If you try, you’ll burn out in six months. A huge part of this role is recruiting, training, and cheering on a team of passionate volunteers. You aren't just teaching kids; you’re leading adults who want to pour into the next generation.

Are You the One?

I know what some of you are thinking. "I love kids, but am I qualified?" Or maybe, "I’ve done ministry before, but I’m not sure if I fit the vibe."

Let’s talk about who we’re looking for. We have three main "buckets" we’re looking at:

You are Gospel-Centered This is the big one. We don’t just want to teach "moral lessons" or how to be "nice." We want our kids to know Jesus. We want them to understand grace. If your heart beats for the Gospel, you’re off to a great start.

You are Tech-Savvy Look, it’s 2026. Ministry involves computers. Whether it’s managing our check-in software, coordinating volunteers through an app, or making sure the Sunday morning videos actually play when they’re supposed to, we need someone who isn't afraid of a keyboard. You don’t need to be a coding genius, but you shouldn't be scared of the "Update Available" button.

You are Passionate About Community We want someone who loves people. Someone who can walk into a hallway full of parents and strike up a conversation. Someone who cares about the families in Green River and wants to see them flourish.

Living and Loving Green River

We love our town. Green River, Wyoming, is a place where people look out for each other. It’s a place where "Real Community" isn't just a slogan on a website; it’s what happens at the grocery store and the park.

Green River Alliance Church is part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA). If you aren't familiar with that, don’t sweat it: it basically means we are part of a larger family of churches that is obsessed with taking the message of Jesus to the ends of the earth. But our specific "patch of dirt" is right here in Sweetwater County.

We want our Kids Ministries Director to be someone who feels called to this place. Someone who wants to see the kids in our local schools growing up with a foundation that won't shake when life gets hard.

It’s Okay if it Feels a Little "Weird"

I know applying for a ministry position can feel a bit formal and strange. You might be worried about saying the right theological things or having the perfect resume.

Let me ease your mind: we’re real people. We’re a church that values "Real Community," and that starts with the hiring process. We want to get to know you. We want to hear your story, your heart for Jesus, and your "why."

If you’re sitting there reading this and your heart is beating a little faster, or if you keep thinking of a friend who would be perfect for this, that might be a nudge you shouldn't ignore.

How to Take the Next Step

We aren't looking for a "perfect" person, because that person doesn't exist (except for Jesus, and He’s already got the top spot). We’re looking for a faithful person. A willing person. A person who wants to make a difference in the lives of kids.

If that’s you, or if you want to learn more about the nitty-gritty details of the job description, I want to hear from you.

Here is what you can do:

1. Email me: You can reach me directly at kbatson@gralliance.church. Drop me a note, tell me a bit about yourself, and let’s start a conversation.

2. Call the church office: You can reach the church office at 307-466-2124 and ask for Kevin Batson or Rachel.

3. Visit our Hiring Page: For more context on our team and what we believe, check out https://greenriveralliance.org/pages/now-hiring.

A Final Thought

Ministry is a lot like a gift that doesn't need batteries: the "power" comes from the Spirit, and the joy comes from just showing up and being used by God.

Working with kids is one of the most rewarding things you can do. You get to plant seeds that will grow for decades. You get to be a safe person for a child who might be having a rough week. You get to point them to the Real Hope that only Jesus provides.

So, what do you say? Are you ready to help us build something beautiful for the kids of Green River?

I can't wait to meet you.

Thanks for reading,

Kevin Batson Lead Pastor, Green River Alliance Church

To learn more about our church and our mission, visit: www.greenriveralliance.org.