SBC

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE: 1,185

Meet Lone Oak First Baptist Church

Lone Oak First Baptist Church, located in Paducah, Kentucky, is a warm, growing, and welcoming church family with a rich history dating back to 1881. Rooted in a Southern Baptist heritage, LOFBC is passionately driven by a simple but powerful mission: to "Exalt Christ, Make Disciples, and Pass the Torch" from generation to generation. The church emphasizes deep, expository Bible teaching and musically excellent Traditional and Contemporary worship designed to engage a vibrant, multi-generational congregation. Authentic community is cultivated through their intentional "G4 strategy"—encouraging every member to Gather, Grow, Go, and Give. LifeGroups are central to their desire to form friendships and grow in faith. 

Known for its deep commitment to both local outreach through "Mission McCracken" and global missions, LOFBC actively equips believers to take the gospel to their neighbors and the ends of the earth. Led by a visionary pastoral team and grounded in a tight-knit, family-like culture where genuine relationships thrive, Lone Oak First Baptist Church continues to be a place where lives are transformed, the truth of God's Word is celebrated, and people are empowered for ministry. In November 2026, LOFBC will open a new 25,000 sq. ft. Children’s Building with preschool on the first floor and elementary worship and classes on the second floor, as well as a dedicated space to better accommodate children with special needs.

About the Children's Minister

The Children’s Minister serves as a dynamic and relational leader who is passionate about guiding children from birth through fifth grade toward a deeper understanding of God’s Word. This individual provides strategic oversight of all children’s programming, with a hands-on focus in elementary ministry, while also leading a significant transition into a newly constructed ministry space set to open in late 2026. With a heart for discipleship, the Children’s Minister develops engaging, age-appropriate teaching environments, equips and empowers volunteers, and partners closely with parents as the primary spiritual leaders in their homes. This role requires a dependable, organized, and visionary leader who thrives in collaboration with church staff, maintains strong theological alignment, and brings energy, creativity, and intentional pastoral care to both children and their families.

The Children's Minister's responsibilities include:

• Oversight and Discipleship: Overseeing the biblical education and discipleship for children from birth through fifth grade, with a direct focus on leading the elementary grades K-5.
• New Building Ministry Transition: Oversee and lead the Children’s Ministry (birth through 5th grade) transition into the newly constructed building scheduled to open in November 2026
• Teaching and Programming: Developing age-appropriate teaching plans, programs, and outreach strategies to connect children to God's Word. 
• Volunteer Development: Recruiting, selecting, training, and developing a team of volunteers and staff to lead small groups and serve effectively.
• Parent Partnership: Equipping parents to act as the primary disciple-makers in their homes and making sure to minister to the whole family, not just the children.
• Curriculum and Administration: Adapting and overseeing curriculum choices, managing child safety protocols, organizing special events, and handling administrative tasks like ordering supplies and setting up rooms.
• Pastoral Care: Functioning primarily as a shepherd to the children, which includes meeting with kids before they are baptized and maintaining a visible, supportive presence during the Wednesday night MAX Kids programming.
• Staff Collaboration: Working closely with the pastoral staff and collaborating with the Preschool ministry to ensure the children's ministry reflects the overall heart, theology, and vision of the church

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Children's Minister:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required
• At least 3-5 years of ministry experience or experience in a related field

Personal Qualifications

• Education: A Bachelor's degree is required, and seminary training or theological education is strongly preferred.
• Experience: Needs 3 to 5+ years of children's ministry experience in a church staff setting of a similar size and scope. A Southern Baptist background is preferred.
• Age: The ideal candidate will be between 28 and 55 years old, with a specific "sweet spot" preference for someone aged 35 to 45.
• Theological Alignment: Must be firmly committed to the inerrancy, authority, and sufficiency of the Bible. The candidate must wholeheartedly agree with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, practice believer's baptism, and hold a traditional view of marriage and human sexuality.

Personal Characteristics

• Dependable & Trustworthy – Reliable, accountable, and consistent in follow-through
• Self-Starter - Ability to do the job and “run with the ball” without being micro-managed or told what to do
• Effective Communicator & Mentor – Able to guide, support, and develop others with clarity and care
• Vision-Oriented Leader – Thinks strategically and leads with purpose and direction
• Energetic & Enthusiastic – Brings positive energy into every interaction
• Creative Thinker – Leverages creativity and encourages innovative ideas
• Adaptable Educator – Adjusts curriculum and approach based on age and needs
• Organized & Consistent – Prioritizes structure, planning, and reliability
• Relational & Approachable – Friendly, transparent, and engaging with both kids and parents
• Outgoing Personality – Naturally extroverted or able to confidently engage as a “professional extrovert.”
• Family-Focused Mindset – Invests not just in children, but in supporting and ministering to families as a whole

What it's like to live in Paducah, KY

Paducah, Kentucky, is a hidden gem. It is an engaging, mid-sized city located at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers, halfway between Nashville and St. Louis, that blends a slower-paced, wholesome lifestyle with big-city cultural amenities. Recognized as a UNESCO "Creative City," it boasts a vibrant arts scene that includes the Carson Center for the Performing Arts, two theater companies, the Paducah Symphony Orchestra, and the renowned National Quilt Museum. Residents enjoy a strong, family-friendly community with excellent education and healthcare, a thriving local food scene, and a celebration of local and small businesses. Outdoor enthusiasts have easy access to nearby recreation at Kentucky Lake and the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The Paducah Sports Park is designed to include five rectangular fields and four diamond-shaped fields that can be configured in a variety of ways and sizes for soccer, baseball, softball, rugby, or football, welcoming up to 40 tournaments every year. Major community events like the internationally attended AQS QuiltWeek and the local "BBQ on the River" highlight the town's welcoming, deeply rooted atmosphere. Ultimately, living in Paducah offers a safe, nurturing environment where you can experience rich cultural and recreational opportunities without the hassle of big-city traffic.