- Hope Presbyterian Church Rolleston
- Hours: 20 hours per week*
- Responsible to: Rolleston Assistant Pastor
- Start date: By arrangement
Hope Presbyterian Rolleston is looking for a Children and Families Pastor to lead and grow our ministry with children and families.
At the heart of this role is a simple but beautiful calling: to help children come to Jesus. We want our children to know they are deeply loved by God, welcomed by His people, formed by His Word, and included in the life of His church. We want families to feel supported as they disciple their children, and volunteers to be equipped and encouraged as they serve.
At Hope, God is our foundation, Christlikeness is our pursuit, forming followers of Jesus is our purpose, and people are our priority. These values shape the way we worship, serve, lead, care for one another, and approach children’s and families ministry.
About the Role
The Children and Families Pastor will provide spiritual, pastoral, and practical leadership for children’s and families’ ministry at Hope Rolleston. This includes working with ministry leaders, volunteers, parents, caregivers, and the wider staff team to build a healthy, sustainable, Jesus-centred ministry where children are welcomed, discipled, protected, and included in the life of the church.
The role includes:
- • Providing spiritual and pastoral leadership for children’s and families’ ministry.
- • Supporting, encouraging, training, and developing children’s ministry leaders and volunteers.
- • Strengthening communication and connection with parents and caregivers.
- • Helping children and families connect meaningfully into the wider life of the church.
- • Encouraging intergenerational worship, discipleship, and belonging.
- • Ensuring children’s ministry spaces are safe, welcoming, well-led, and full of life.
- • Building healthy systems for volunteer support, training, communication, rostering, and ministry coordination.
- • Developing leaders and creating clear pathways for people to serve, grow, and lead.
- • Working collaboratively with the Rolleston staff team and the wider Hope Presbyterian team.
We Are Looking for Someone Who:
We are looking for someone who deeply loves Jesus and deeply loves children — someone who longs to see children know, love, and follow Him. This is a role for someone who puts Jesus at the centre of their life and ministry, and who carries the joy, tenderness, humility, and grace of Jesus into the way they lead children, support families, encourage volunteers, and raise up leaders.
We are looking for someone who:
- • Has a vibrant, authentic Christian faith.
- • Is committed to Hope’s values and mission.
- • Brings joy, warmth, creativity, and fun. • Is a confident and humble leader who can communicate vision, direction, and purpose clearly.
- • Can recruit, encourage, train, support, and develop volunteers and ministry leaders.
- • Listens well, builds trust, and brings others into a shared vision. • Is relational, pastorally aware, and able to connect well with children, parents, caregivers, volunteers, and staff.
- • Is organised, proactive, and able to build healthy ministry systems.
- • Communicates clearly and warmly. • Works collaboratively and constructively as part of a team.
- • Demonstrates sound judgment, confidentiality, and appropriate pastoral boundaries.
- • Is able to work within the life and theology of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
About Hope Rolleston
Hope Rolleston is part of Hope Presbyterian Church, a multi-site Presbyterian church in Canterbury. We are a growing, intergenerational church with a heart to see people come to know Jesus, grow as disciples, and participate in God’s mission in the world. Children’s and families’ ministry is a vital part of that mission. It helps us disciple all generations, support families, welcome new people, and create a church community where children are not just cared for, but valued as part of the body of Christ. As Hope Rolleston continues to grow, we are looking for a Children and Families Pastor who can help strengthen what is already here, build healthy teams, and shape a ministry where children, families, and volunteers can flourish.
To Apply
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your faith, ministry experience, sense of call to children’s and families’ ministry, and why this role at Hope Rolleston resonates with you.
For more information or to request a role description, please contact: Jon Coursey, Assistant Pastor Hope Rolleston, jon.coursey@hopechurch.net.nz
Applications close 31 July 2026
* There is the possibility of another 10 hours’ work per week during term time by combining this role with a 24-7 Youthwork role at Rolleston School, delivered in partnership with Youth Southwest Christchurch Trust.