Organisation: Ark of Hope Foundation For All Nations
Location: Stoke-on-Trent, with outreach at approved community and ministry locations
Hours: 20 hours per week
Salary: £13,988 gross per annum (£13.45 per hour), based on a 20-hour working week
Working pattern: Flexible across the week, including some Saturdays, Sundays and evenings
Responsible to: Board of Trustees
DBS requirement: Enhanced DBS check, including the relevant barred list check where applicable
Visa sponsorship: This position is eligible for UK visa sponsorship under the Minister of Religion route. A Certificate of Sponsorship will be available to the successful candidate, subject to the applicant and appointment meeting all applicable UKVI requirements.
About Ark of Hope Foundation For All Nations
Ark of Hope Foundation For All Nations is a Christian charity supporting women, children, young people and families experiencing poverty, social isolation, food insecurity, housing difficulties, migration-related challenges and other forms of disadvantage.
Our work includes practical assistance, pastoral support, food provision, community outreach, women’s empowerment, supported accommodation and activities that strengthen confidence, wellbeing, family stability and community belonging.
Many of the women and families supported by Ark of Hope have children and young people who would benefit from safe, structured and consistent faith-based support. We are therefore developing our Youth Ministry to provide Christian discipleship, pastoral care, mentoring and positive activities for young people connected to the communities we serve.
Purpose of the Role
The Minister of Religion – Youth Ministry will provide spiritual leadership, Christian teaching, pastoral care and faith-based mentoring to children and young people participating in Ark of Hope’s Youth Ministry.
The postholder will lead a structured programme of Bible teaching, prayer, worship, discipleship, pastoral support and faith-based youth empowerment. They will help young people develop their Christian faith, confidence, character, resilience, sense of purpose and positive connection with their families and wider community.
This is primarily a ministerial position. Practical youth empowerment, life skills, integration support, educational encouragement, sport and social activities will be delivered as part of the charity’s wider Christian ministry and pastoral outreach.
Main ResponsibilitiesSpiritual Leadership and Christian Teaching
The postholder will:
- provide spiritual leadership for Ark of Hope’s Youth Ministry;
- prepare and deliver age-appropriate Bible teaching, devotionals and Christian discipleship sessions;
- lead youth prayer meetings, worship activities and faith-based discussions;
- preach or teach at youth services, family services and other approved Christian gatherings;
- help young people understand and apply Christian values in their everyday lives;
- encourage young people to develop habits of prayer, Bible study, worship, service and positive Christian fellowship;
- support the development of a welcoming Christian environment in which young people can explore faith safely and respectfully;
- contribute to the wider spiritual life and Christian mission of Ark of Hope.
Pastoral Care and Mentoring
The postholder will:
- provide appropriate one-to-one and group pastoral care to young people;
- offer prayer, spiritual guidance, encouragement and Christian mentoring;
- support young people experiencing low confidence, loneliness, cultural adjustment, family pressures or difficulties with belonging;
- establish safe and appropriate pastoral relationships with young people and their families;
- identify concerns that require specialist support and refer or signpost appropriately;
- maintain professional boundaries and accurate confidential pastoral records;
- work with parents and carers where this is appropriate and in the young person’s best interests;
- ensure pastoral support does not replace statutory, clinical, counselling or social care services.
Youth Ministry Programme Delivery
The postholder will:
- plan and deliver regular Youth Ministry sessions, including weekend and school holiday activities where required;
- develop structured session plans with clear spiritual and personal development outcomes;
- combine Bible teaching and discipleship with positive youth activities;
- deliver faith-based activities covering confidence, character, communication, leadership, healthy choices, online safety and responsible decision-making;
- provide encouragement around education, study routines, future aspirations and positive participation in community life;
- organise suitable creative, musical, recreational and sporting activities as part of youth engagement;
- ensure sessions are inclusive, culturally sensitive, purposeful and appropriate to the ages and needs of participants;
- gather feedback from young people and use this to improve the programme.
Family and Community Engagement
The postholder will:
- develop positive relationships with parents and carers;
- help families understand the purpose and activities of the Youth Ministry;
- support young people from migrant, refugee, minority ethnic and low-income families to feel included;
- work sensitively with families experiencing language barriers, hardship or social isolation;
- build appropriate links with churches, schools, community organisations and local services;
- contribute to outreach activities designed to engage young people who may otherwise lack access to safe and positive opportunities;
- represent Ark of Hope professionally at meetings, community events and partnership activities.
Safeguarding
The postholder will:
- follow Ark of Hope’s safeguarding policies and procedures at all times;
- report safeguarding concerns immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead;
- maintain appropriate boundaries in all contact with children and young people;
- ensure parental consent, emergency information and attendance records are maintained;
- complete risk assessments for sessions, activities, trips and events;
- use safe sign-in and sign-out arrangements;
- ensure volunteers understand and follow safeguarding expectations;
- complete all required safeguarding and child protection training;
- contribute to a culture in which young people feel safe, respected and listened to.
Volunteer and Youth Leadership Development
The postholder will:
- support the recruitment, induction and coordination of Youth Ministry volunteers;
- allocate appropriate responsibilities during sessions and events;
- provide guidance and informal supervision to volunteers;
- help volunteers understand the aims and Christian values of the Youth Ministry;
- identify and encourage leadership potential among older young people;
- create safe opportunities for young people to participate in worship, service, volunteering and community activities.
Planning, Administration and Reporting
The postholder will:
- prepare an annual and quarterly Youth Ministry plan;
- maintain registration, attendance, consent and session records;
- record pastoral activity and safeguarding matters appropriately;
- contribute to monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting;
- prepare brief updates for senior leadership and trustees;
- support the preparation of case studies and programme reports while maintaining confidentiality;
- monitor the use of programme resources and equipment;
- attend supervision, staff meetings, ministry meetings and relevant training;
- undertake reasonable administrative duties directly connected with the Youth Ministry.
Person Specification Essential
Applicants must demonstrate:
- a genuine commitment to the Christian faith and the ability to lead Christian ministry;
- experience of leading Bible teaching, prayer, worship, discipleship or pastoral activities;
- relevant experience working with children, teenagers or young adults in a church, ministry or community setting;
- the ability to explain Christian teaching in an accessible and age-appropriate way;
- experience providing pastoral care, mentoring or spiritual guidance;
- a sound understanding of safeguarding children and young people;
- the ability to establish appropriate professional and pastoral boundaries;
- strong communication, listening and relationship-building skills;
- the ability to engage young people from different cultural, ethnic and social backgrounds;
- the ability to plan structured sessions and maintain accurate records;
- the ability to work independently while remaining accountable to senior leadership;
- willingness to work flexibly, including some Saturdays, Sundays and evenings;
- commitment to Ark of Hope’s Christian ethos, charitable objectives and safeguarding standards.
Desirable
It would be advantageous to have:
- theological, pastoral, ministry or youth ministry training;
- ordination, ministerial licensing or formal recognition by a Christian church or denomination;
- experience supporting migrant, refugee, asylum-seeking or minority ethnic communities;
- experience supporting young people affected by poverty, isolation or cultural adjustment;
- experience coordinating volunteers;
- experience delivering youth leadership, life skills or community integration activities;
- safeguarding, first aid or mental health awareness training;
- the ability to communicate in an additional community language.
Conditions of Appointment
Any offer of employment will be subject to:
- satisfactory references;
- verification of identity and qualifications;
- confirmation of the right to work in the United Kingdom;
- an enhanced DBS check and any relevant barred list check;
- completion of safeguarding and organisational induction;
- agreement to comply with Ark of Hope’s policies and Christian ethos;
- successful completion of the agreed probationary period.
Where immigration sponsorship is required, this may be considered only where the applicant, role and proposed appointment meet all applicable UKVI requirements. Sponsorship is not guaranteed by applying for the position.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit:
- an up-to-date CV;
- a supporting statement explaining how they meet the essential criteria;
- details of relevant ministry, pastoral and youth work experience;
- the names and contact details of two referees, including one church or ministry referee where possible.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview and may be asked to prepare a brief youth Bible teaching, devotional or ministry activity.
Equality, Dignity and Safeguarding
Ark of Hope Foundation For All Nations is committed to dignity, equality, safeguarding and the fair treatment of applicants and beneficiaries.
Because the essential duties include leading Christian worship, Bible teaching, prayer, discipleship and pastoral ministry, applicants must be able to undertake these duties personally and consistently within Ark of Hope’s Christian ethos.
Pay: £13.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
