Opportunity Profile

Preschool Minister

Presented by Shepherd Staff

Consultant: Jennifer Krupa
​409.515.4911 | Jennifer@shepherd.group

What you need to know most about this position:

Severns Valley Church is seeking a Preschool Minister to shepherd children from birth through pre-K and partner with families as they help their children pursue God, grow in faith, and connect with the church family. This is a relational, hands-on ministry role in a historic, multigenerational church that deeply values children, families, safety, discipleship, and volunteer leadership.

*Candidates may have experience in preschool education, children’s ministry, Vacation Bible School, camps, education, or related environments. While full-time ministry experience is beneficial, it is not required. The ideal candidate is teachable, humble, and receptive to coaching, feedback, and personal growth. As part of their development, they will participate in the Kids Ministry Leadership Development Program, which includes a six-month mentoring partnership with an experienced Kids Minister who will provide ongoing coaching, training, and support.

Key takeaways:

  • This role will focus on preschool ministry environments, family discipleship, volunteer development, and ministry systems.
  • The selected candidate will receive six months of coaching and support through the Kids Ministry Leadership Development Program.
  • Severns Valley has a strong safety culture, committed volunteers, and significant opportunities for growth in parent partnership and next-generation ministry alignment.
  • The next leader should be relational, teachable, organized, emotionally mature, and able to build trust while strengthening systems over time.

About Severns Valley Church:

Severns Valley Church is a church family in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, helping people live out their role in God’s story. Severns Valley exists to love God, love people, and make disciples through ministries, groups, and missions. The church describes its discipleship pathway through the values of pursuing, equipping, and connecting: pursuing the lost, equipping believers through discipleship, and connecting people in community.

Severns Valley is a Southern Baptist church with a long history of gospel ministry in Hardin County and beyond. The church gathers for Sunday services at 9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. and offers ministries for every stage of life, including kids, students, adults, senior adults, groups, and missions.

Position Information:

Job Description

The Preschool Minister will shepherd Severns Valley’s ministry for children from birth through pre-K. This role focuses on creating safe, joyful, gospel-centered environments where young children can begin to know and love Jesus.

The position includes leading Sunday and Wednesday preschool ministry, developing and caring for volunteers, partnering with parents, preparing curriculum and classrooms, supporting family events, and helping build a consistent discipleship pathway for children and families.

The ideal leader is relational, teachable, spiritually grounded, organized, and passionate about discipling young children while equipping parents and volunteers to lead well.

Detailed Job Description

Ideal Candidate Criteria

This person is someone who:

  • Is a committed follower of Jesus whose life reflects the gospel and who is aligned with Severns Valley’s theology, mission, and values.
  • Has a genuine passion for discipling young children and partnering with parents as the primary disciple-makers in the home.
  • Is relational, warm, emotionally intelligent, and able to connect well with volunteers, parents, staff, and children.
  • Is teachable and humble, open to coaching, feedback, and growth through the Kids Ministry Leadership Development Program. This includes a six-month weekly partnership that allows the candidate to be coached, trained, and mentored by a tenured Kids Minister.
  • Is organized and self-motivated, with the ability to steward a ministry calendar, develop volunteers, prepare environments, and communicate clearly.
  • May have experience in preschool education, children’s ministry, VBS, camps, education, or related environments. Full-time ministry experience is helpful but not required.

Position History

This is a new, full-time Preschool Minister role at Severns Valley Baptist Church. The church is seeking a leader who can help strengthen the preschool ministry through relational shepherding, volunteer development, parent partnership, consistent communication, and sustainable ministry systems. Previously, these responsibilities were carried by the Children’s Minister with support from additional part-time staff. The Preschool Minister will now serve alongside the Children’s Minister as a peer, working closely together to support and grow the overall ministry to children and families.

Shepherd Staff Observations:

Shepherd Staff spent time onsite at Severns Valley Church interviewing leaders, staff, and critical church members to gain valuable insights about the church, the position, and the community. Here are our unbiased observations.

About the Church

Severns Valley is a church with a strong gospel foundation, a rich history, and a deep commitment to children and families. The Discovery Visit highlighted a congregation that values safety, discipleship, missions, and meaningful ministry to the next generation.

The church has many encouraging strengths, including committed volunteers, caring families, secure ministry environments, and significant potential for growth in family discipleship and parent partnership.

As the church looks ahead, there is an opportunity to strengthen communication, volunteer systems, and ministry alignment so the preschool and children’s ministries can become even more sustainable and fruitful.

Overall, Severns Valley Church has a strong foundation and many of the right people and desires in place for a healthy next season.


About the Position

The current preschool ministry at Severns Valley Church has a strong foundation, with caring volunteers, a clear desire to serve families well, and a meaningful commitment to children’s safety and spiritual formation.

The Discovery Visit revealed encouraging potential, especially in the areas of volunteer care, parent partnership, classroom environments, and family discipleship. Many people involved in the ministry genuinely want to see children know Jesus and families feel supported.

As the ministry moves forward, there is an opportunity to strengthen communication, volunteer training, onboarding, and planning systems so the ministry can become more consistent, sustainable, and fruitful.

Overall, the preschool ministry has many positive elements already in place and is well-positioned for healthy growth with the right leadership, support, and systems.


About the Leadership

Severns Valley’s leadership shows a sincere commitment to the church’s mission, families, and next-generation ministry. Our visit revealed caring leaders, passionate volunteers, strong safety practices, and a clear desire to strengthen discipleship and family partnership.

As the ministry grows, there is an opportunity to clarify roles and create more proactive planning rhythms. These steps would help staff and volunteers feel more supported, aligned, and empowered.

Overall, this church is well-positioned for a strong next season as leadership continues to build on the solid foundation already in place.

Severns Valley Church Information:

History of the Church:

Severns Valley Baptist Church was founded on June 18, 1781, when early settlers came to the area then known as Severns Valley. The church is described in its employee handbook as the oldest evangelical church west of the Allegheny Mountains. Severns Valley existed before Elizabethtown was a city and before Kentucky became a state. In its earliest days, settlers reportedly gathered under a sugar maple tree before the church eventually moved through multiple houses of worship.

The congregation has grown from a handful of founding members to more than 3,500 people. The first service at the church’s current location, 1100 Ring Road, was held on the first Sunday in March 2007. Through the years, Severns Valley Church has helped start and sponsor local missions that became thriving Baptist churches, including Immanuel, Central Avenue, Berean, and Northside Baptist.

In recent years, the church has continued to emphasize gospel ministry, discipleship, missions, and innovation in communicating the gospel. Dr. Matt Beasley has served as Lead Pastor since December 2022. The church’s current online language emphasizes helping people fulfill their role in God’s story through ministries, groups, and missions.

Mission, Vision, & Values:

Mission

To love God, love people, and make disciples.

Vision

Helping others fulfill their role in God’s story.

Values

  • Pursue the lost
  • Equip through discipleship
  • Connect in our community

Severns Valley describes these through pursuing the lost here, near, and far; equipping believers through discipleship; and connecting people in community.

Church Beliefs:

Severns Valley believes the Bible is God’s inspired and infallible Word and the supreme standard and final authority for conduct, faith, and doctrine. The church affirms one living and true God revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ; the eternal security of the believer; the New Testament church as a body of baptized believers committed to evangelism, worship, fellowship, discipleship, and ministry; baptism by immersion upon profession of faith; the Lord’s Supper for believers; and the personal, visible return of Jesus Christ.

Severns Valley Beliefs

Severns Valley Church Staff:


Dr. Matt Beasley
​Lead Pastor

Dr. Brian Combs
​Pastor of Organizational Leadership

Katy Williamson
​Children's Minister


Click Here for a Complete Staff Listing

Candidate Process Steps

  1. Shepherd Staff Candidate Screening
  2. Personality Profile
  3. Shepherd Staff Video Interview
  4. Presentation to Severns Valley Staff/Pastor
  5. Video or Face-to-Face interview with Matt Beasely and/or Brian Combs
  6. Follow-up Face to Face or Video Interview with Small Staff/Elder Team
  7. Final Background Checks
  8. Face-to-Face Visit at the Church Location
  9. Offer Extended
  10. Start Date Set!

Community Information:

5 things to do in and around Elizabethtown, KY

  1. Explore Freeman Lake & Nature Park
    ​Freeman Lake Park is one of the most popular spots in Etown for walking trails, kayaking, fishing, and relaxing by the water. Nearby, Elizabethtown Nature Park includes scenic trails and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.
  2. Visit Historic Downtown Elizabethtown
    ​Downtown Etown has a charming small-town feel with local boutiques, coffee shops, murals, and historic buildings like the State Theater and Brown-Pusey House. It’s great for a relaxed afternoon stroll.
  3. Check Out Swope’s Cars of Yesteryear Museum
    ​If you enjoy classic cars or Americana, this free museum features beautifully restored vintage automobiles dating back to the early 1900s. It’s one of the town’s most unique attractions.
  4. Visit Malibu Jack's
    ​This massive indoor entertainment center is great for families, groups, or date nights. It features go-karts, laser tag, mini golf, duckpin bowling, arcade games, and more—all under one roof. It’s one of the newest and most popular entertainment spots in Elizabethtown.
  5. Take a Short Day Trip to Bardstown
    ​About 35–40 minutes away, Bardstown is one of Kentucky’s most charming towns and a major stop on the Bourbon Trail. You’ll find distilleries, historic sites, great restaurants, and beautiful countryside.


Area Demographics
Read More About Elizabethtown, KY

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