Kids Ministry

Helping children grow in faith with Jesus

Coming alongside parents to raise up the next generation in Christ

We place a high value on children and their families and want Church in the Valley to be your favorite Sunday morning destination. Our KidZone classes are safe and engaging spaces where kids can learn more about Jesus and what it means to have a relationship with Him, while having a lot of fun doing it.

When you drop your child off at KidZone, they will have the opportunity to participate in age-appropriate Bible lessons, collaborative activities, games, crafts, and more. We want you to enjoy the service, knowing that your child is being cared for by our trained volunteers.

Nursery and KidZone programs are provided during both of our Sunday services, with a unique format distinguishing each service. 

Our Youth Group for middle school and high school students meets during the 9:00 am service.

Hannah Bustrum

KidZone Director

Sunday morning Schedule

FIRST SERVICE (9:00am)

Kids will be in combined groups for an energetic time of singing and learning together.

Nursery (0-2 years old)
Koalas

Preschool Praise (2-5 years old)
Honeybees and Sea Otters are together

Elementary Praise (K-5th grade)
Tree Frogs, Foxes, and Camels are together

SECOND SERVICE (11:00am)

Kids will be in classrooms for an age-appropriate Bible lesson, activities, and crafts.

Koalas (0-2 years old)

Honeybees (2-3 years old)

Sea Otters (4-5 years old)

Tree Frogs (K-2nd grade)

Foxes (3-5th grade girls)

Camels (3-5th grade boys)

“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 19:14 ESV

Kidzone Age groups

Koalas

0-2 years old

Our cuddly koala babies are cared for in our nursery. We can contact you if your baby ever needs you during service.

The Koalas area remains the same during both service times.

Honeybees

2-3 years old

Always busy and buzzin’, our Honeybees class is full of toys, games, snacks, and a Bible lesson that will be sure to keep your little one engaged.

During the 9:00am service, the Honeybees will be a part of the Preschool Praise group for 2-5 year olds.

Sea Otters

4-5 years old

Our sea otters swim out further into the ocean and enjoy an interactive biblical lesson along with plenty of activities, snacks, and games.

During the 9:00am service, the Sea Otters will be a part of the Preschool Praise group for 2-5 year olds.

Tree Frogs

Kindergarten to second grade

Our younger elementary kids can hop on over to our Tree Frogs class for biblical lessons and teachings accompanied by interactive illustrations and collaborative games.

During the 9:00am service, the Tree Frogs will be a part of the Elementary Praise group for K-5th grade.

Foxes

Third to fifth grade girls

Elementary-age girls can join with our crafty foxes where they’ll be encouraged to discuss biblical ideas, develop friendships, and participate in crafts and games.

During the 9:00am service, the Foxes will be a part of the Elementary Praise group for K-5th grade.

Camels

Third to fifth grade boys

Join our enduring camels – older elementary boys – where you’ll have biblical conversations, interactive games, and plenty of friends.

During the 9:00am service, the Camels will be a part of the Elementary Praise group for K-5th grade.

Common Questions

Our friendly volunteers will greet you at the KidZone table near the front of the auditorium. You and your child will be assigned a number that you will use to check-in your child before the service and check-out after the service.

All of our volunteers undergo background checks and participate in ongoing training to ensure the safety of your child. Your child is assigned a number during check-in, so that only the approved parent or guardian may check-out the child after the service. We also have a security team that checks in on classes throughout each service.

Parents can attend the first class to help their child adjust. However, we encourage parents to join the service so they can enjoy the time and connect with others. All classes are equipped with a walkie-talkie, so parents can be contacted in the service if needed.

During the 9:00am service, snacks will be provided to all kids during Preschool and Elementary Praise. 

During the 11:00am service, snacks are provided for the Toddler (Honeybees) and Pre-K (Sea Otters) class. Other classes may occasionally provide snacks related to specific lessons or celebrations. 

Please let us know if your child has any allergies. Our church also provides snacks for everyone after the service, so all kids are welcome to enjoy those.

Please alert the KidZone teacher ahead of class, so they can be aware of your child’s allergy. Your child is welcome to bring snacks that meet their dietary requirements.

It is our goal to make sure that every child has the support and care they need so they feel a sense of belonging. We ask that you talk to Hannah Bustrum before attending class, so we can meet your child’s specific needs and talk to the teachers beforehand.

Our classes are designed with the different age groups’ needs in mind. For the well being of all attendees and for the teachers, we encourage your child to attend their designated class. Please reach out to Hannah Bustrum if you have any questions or concerns.

We encourage you to take advantage of the KidZone classes, but children are welcome to attend the service. We also have a bench area in the lobby with a view of the auditorium where you’ll be able to participate in the service while allowing your children time to adjust.

We hope to see you on a Sunday soon!

Meet the Staff

Eric Siryj

Assistant to the Pastor

Eric and his wife Jess have been married since 2020 and have a son named Josiah. Eric has been part of Church in the Valley since its founding and previously served in college ministry for 11 years at USC. He also works in the healthtech industry as a product manager. Eric is grateful to be part of this community that treasures God’s Word and genuinely seeks to love each other. If you ever need a board game or sushi recommendation, don’t hesitate to ask!

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Meet the Staff

Stacie Klepzig

Administrative Assistant

Stacie Klepzig serves as our Administrative Assistant and has been a part of Church in the Valley since its founding. Her role involves coordinating and communicating with staff, volunteers, and members, and preparing printed and digital communications on a weekly basis. She has a passion for seeing people’s lives transformed by the gospel and enjoys the opportunity to invest in eternal things. She lives in Montebello with her husband, Mark. They have two adult children starting their own families.

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Jenn Richert

Finance Director
Jenn and her husband Jonathan have been married for 14 years. She is a licensed CPA and is the Finance Director for Church in the Valley. A graduate of the University of Southern California, she also works for a small CPA firm while being a full-time stay-at-home mom and homeschooling her and Jonathan’s son, Joshua. Jenn has attended Church in the Valley since it was founded in 2013 and enjoys seeing all of the families grow and the lasting friendships that the children have with one another.
Meet the Staff

Jonathan Richert

Sunday Service Teams Director

Jonathan serves as our Sunday Service Teams Director and has been a part of Church in the Valley since its founding. He appreciates the opportunity to team with this loving community in reaching the people of Los Angeles with the good news of Jesus. Jonathan lives in Alhambra with his wife, Jenn, and their son, Joshua. Jonathan works as a Principal and Director of the Los Angeles office in an architecture firm downtown. 

Meet the Staff

Jeep Underwood

Groups Director

Jeep serves as our Groups Director here at Church in the Valley and was on the original launch team when the church was founded. He says, “This is a community where I belong, where I can grow in my walk with God, and where I can team up to make a real difference in the lives of others. What I love about this church is that it opens the possibility of this experience to anyone who would like to join in.” Jeep, his wife Cate and their grown children, Patrick, Molly, and Donovan live in Monterey Park. Jeep works as the Engineering Division Chief for the US Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, in Downtown LA.

Meet the Staff

Hannah Bustrum

KidZone Director

Hannah Bustrum is our KidZone Director and leads the discipleship initiatives for our children. She is a social worker that has spent a majority of her career working overseas, investing in churches and helping people grow in every season. She is passionate about seeing kids take steps towards faith in Jesus and loves that Church in the Valley Alhambra is a place where people of all ages can know and experience how much God loves them. She enjoys living in L.A. and is on a quest to try every bubble tea shop in the area. Hannah is married to Mark and they have three adult daughters, one son-in-law and the cutest grandson ever!

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