Sports Ministry Lead
The Sports Ministry Lead will oversee River Active, our fast-growing sports outreach ministry, sharing the Gospel through Bridge the Gap football, running groups, and our student-only gym, providing pastoral care and discipleship to participants, and supporting our wider student ministry at the University of Suffolk.
16-24 hours | Up to £29,250 pro rata
Closing date: 31st July 2026
Role Profile
Job title: Sports Ministry Lead
Department: River Active
Reports to: Head of Operations
Direct reports: River Active and Bridge the Gap volunteers
Principal location: River Church Ipswich; MOVE Gym; Portman Road Stadium
DBS check required: Yes
Special conditions of employment: As a minister of religion role, there is a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder is a Christian, as permitted under the Equality Act 2010.
Start date: August/September 2026
Working days/hours: 16-20 hours (flexible, Sun-Thu)
Salary: Up to £29,250 pro rata (depending on experience)
Travel: May be required on occasion
Holiday: 25 days per annum plus bank holidays (pro rata)
Probation period: 6 months
Contract length: Initial 1 year (extension subject to funding; appointment subject to successful funding from University of Suffolk.)
Other expectations: The role holder will need to be available to work some other key dates outside the usual working pattern, such as special services (Christmas, Easter etc.), annual meetings, and Focus (our annual one-week church holiday in the summer). It is expected that staff members will be active members of River Church (praying, serving, giving, and growing).
For a candidate with the right skillset and character, this role could be combined with another role currently vacant.
Key Responsibilities
Work with Senior Pastors to develop and implement strategy for our sports ministry, ‘River Active’ in line with the dream, purpose, and goals of River Church
Oversee the Bridge the Gap Ipswich, delivering football sessions for young men, based at Portman Road Stadium (Ipswich Town FC), inviting participants to Alpha and Sundays, and sharing faith in Jesus
Work to expand to Bridge the Gap to offer youth sessions, in partnership with River Youth
Manage ‘MOVE’, our gym exclusively for University of Suffolk students, including subscriptions via Squarespace and twice-weekly safety checks
Liaise with the University of Suffolk and Student Union to deliver inductions, sessions, and other support to users of MOVE gym
Ensure that all safeguarding and health and safety requirements are met across River Active
Deliver River Active running sessions for varying abilities alongside the existing volunteer team
Actively disciple and pastor those attending River Active sports sessions, sensitively sharing the Gospel with those who are not yet Christians, making frequent invitations to Alpha and Sundays
Oversee, recruit, train, and pastor the River Active volunteer team
Manage River Active departmental budget
Contribute to other River Church events including Alpha and Sundays
Support other areas of Student and Collective (young adults) ministry as required
Work with Comms and Media Manager to curate River Active and Bridge the Gap Ipswich social media accounts and webpages
Track impact data and report to Head of Operations, as well as external partners and funders
Explore and implement opportunities to expand River Active provision
Attend and contribute to Staff Meeting, and Tuesday morning Prayer Meeting, and other River Church events such as Focus
Regularly pray for all River Active ministries
Ad hoc tasks and other project work
Personal qualities and beliefs
It is essential that the role holder:
has a personal faith in and relationship with God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit
is committed to the dream, purpose, and goals of River Church
is a baptised Christian who believes and embodies the orthodox Christian teaching revealed in the Bible and in accordance with the CEEC basis of faith and declarations
is demonstrably committed to their own discipleship (i.e., baptised, praying, serving, giving, and sharing faith)
is passionate about football, sports, and evangelism
Personal skills and abilities
It is essential that the role holder:
has excellent teamwork and team-building skills, and is able to manage, motivate, and encourage others
has good organisational skills and time management
is self-motivated
has good communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, including an excellent level of English spelling, punctuation, and grammar
has good attention to detail and high production values
is able to manage an organisational budget
is flexible, with a can-do attitude
is teachable, humble, and has a desire to learn and grow
understands the importance of confidentiality, and is trustworthy and reliable, with a good self-awareness
has enthusiasm, energy, commitment, and a sense of humour
Knowledge, qualifications, and experience
It is essential that the role holder:
has, or is willing and able to undertake prior to starting the role, fitness instructor and/or PT training qualifications, and first aid training
has good IT skills, and experience in and/or the ability to learn to use Mac OS X, ChurchSuite, Squarespace, and Expense Plus
has prior experience in sports ministry or bringing together faith and sport in another context
has a good understanding of sports and fitness equipment and facilities
has a thorough and up-to-date understanding of statutory child protection and safeguarding requirements, health and safety legislation, and other legal aspects of operations
It is desirable that the role holder:
holds a bachelors degree (or higher level qualification), ideally in a field related to the role
has prior experience of Bridge the Gap football
has worked within the HTB Network of churches (or is able to demonstrate a strong level of familiarity and alignment with the Network’s vision, values, and ecclesiology), in a city centre resource church setting or another large church
has prior experience working in a gym or sports setting
has other relevant qualifications in a field related to the role
has an eye for detail and aesthetics
has other relevant experience or skills related to the role or other areas of ministry
