CHILDRENS MINISTRY
In Valley Life Kids, we have the mission to bring glory to God by making disciples through gospel–centered worship, gospel–centered community, and gospel–centered teaching. Because we believe that Scripture is clear that parents are the primary disciple–makers in the lives of their children, our hope is to partner with parents in their pursuit of this mission, coming alongside them in the discipleship process.
We believe that kids should have an intentional and fun time at church every single week – and at Valley Life Kids, we make this a priority. An even greater priority for us is your children’s safety. Because of that, we have a detailed check–in process for our Valley Life Kids program the first time that you visit. You’ll want to leave yourself an extra ten minutes to get signed in for the Valley Life Kids experience. Valley Life Kids is offered at every service for ages 0 through Grade 5th.
Your first visit
Here‘s what to expect when visiting Valley Life Kids for the first time:
Head to the Check–In station, ages 0-1st grade are in the basement, and 2nd-5th grade will be in the White House next to the Church Building. At Check–In, we will meet your family, check your child into our system, and then one of our volunteers will lead your child to their age–appropriate room.
Upon checking in for the first time, we will ask for the following personal information (NOTE: We value your privacy and will not share this information with anyone):
Parent/guardian name(s)
Child‘s name
Child‘s birthdate
Home address
Phone number
Any special instructions (allergies, special needs) for your children
How checkin works
Before Service: You can check–in your child at any available kiosk. After finding your child’s name in the database, you and your child will be given matching name tags that are exclusive to your family and your visit. Your child will need to wear the name tag portion while you hold on to the matching tag.
After Service: After the service is complete, you will return to your child’s room and show your tag in order for your child to be released back to you.
During Service: In the event that we need to contact you during the service, your child’s identification code will appear on the screen. We ask that you exit the auditorium immediately and look for a staff member or volunteer who will direct you to your child’s room.
Meet our Family Ministries Pastor
Tyler Grove
My wife Aubrey and I have been married since June of 2007. We have six children, and desire to serve the Lord as a family. Aubrey and I went to Corban University, and my background is in human development and education. Prior to coming on staff at Valley Life Church, I was a director at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Greater Santiam, where God opened my eyes to many things. I intended to spend the rest of my career in the Boys and Girls Clubs and then the Lord very clearly called me into ministry here at Valley Life. It was very neat to see His hand in the process of moving our family to Valley Life. Now He has me serving as the Family Ministries Pastor in our church, and I’m excited to see how He uses me in this role.
I am passionate about discipleship and training young leaders. It is my desire that very child at Valley Life doesn’t just know about God, but knows Him. That we are not a people defined by our morality but by the power of Jesus and what He is doing in our lives. That we don’t place our identity in what we do, but in what Jesus has done.
For fun, I mostly just love being with people. Whether it be full of laughter or depth, I really love navigating this beautiful life in communion with others. Ideally outside! I love camping, fishing, hunting, campfires and hiking. I also love sports; playing, coaching and watching them.
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Do you have any questions?
You can email Tyler here, or email the church office here.
Photo below is from the Valley Life Vacation Bible School
Kids at Valley Life Church
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Nursery
At Valley Life, we believe every baby is a precious, undeserved, unrepeatable gift from a Father who has knitted them together in His own image, who knows each child intimately, and who loves them beyond comprehension. It is our goal to reflect the Father’s love in the care that we provide for these tiny ones. We hope to minister to mothers as well, working to nurture the beautiful bond between mother and child.
SUNDAY MORNING Our safe, home-like environment is staffed with attentive volunteers who love to snuggle and interact with little ones. Your baby will listen to beautiful music, explore, be held, read to, soothed, and snuggled in an atmosphere of Christ’s unconditional love and acceptance. While reading books about Jesus and singing songs that glorify and praise Him are so important, at this age Christ is communicated best through the love, attention, and affection of trusted caregivers.
HELPER INFO – Hold and love babies – Read and play with babies – Assist with baby care
Hannah Ahn – Nursery Ministry Director
Toddlers
Valley Life Toddlers provides love and care for the little ones who are stable on their legs and are from 18months to 3 years old. God has given us a passion for these kiddos, and we are convicted that they learn much more than most people realize and this is the time to begin teaching them about Jesus.
SUNDAY MORNING The toddlers worship by hearing songs, listening to Bible stories, coloring pictures, and doing a craft. We begin with play dough as a welcome activity, but always try to work in some conversation about the lesson as little hands squish and smash! In Valley Life fashion, there will be a Scripture verse that will be concentrated on for the full quarter. We are thankful for the opportunity to teach them about Jesus and His love for them.
HELPER INFO Toddler helpers are encouraged to: – be on time to welcome kiddos – lovingly play with the children – assist with bathroom break – help with snack/story time/craft time – assist with clean up
Jennifer Smothers – Toddler Ministry Director
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Preschool
Jesus said to let little children come to Him. At Valley Life preschool our desire is to point them to Him. Preschool is a prime time to ingrain in the children’s hearts and minds the truth that Jesus is their friend who loves them and is always with them. It is the time to build friendships, learn to think of others, and store up God’s Word.
SUNDAY MORNING Valley Life preschoolers are a lively bunch! They are involved in learning activities that begin to introduce the day’s lesson as soon as they arrive. Worship time with singing, memory verse practice, and Bible lessons is a corporate activity. After worship they divide into age groups for coloring and craft projects that reinforce the Bible lesson. Toward the end of the session they gather together for a puppet show that reviews the lesson of the day.
HELPER INFO Greeter/Floater – Welcomes children, facilitates the schedule by watching time and arranging activities as classes move, assisting with bathroom breaks Lead Teacher – Leads music or tells the Bible lesson, directs the class time, connects children with parents at dismissal Assistants – Lead conversations in learning centers, sit among the children in large group times, assist with craft and snack, perform puppet skits.
Heather Peckfelder – Preschool Ministry Director
K-1
Valley Life K/1 is an exciting time for kids who are attending our children’s ministry programs. Coming in from the preschool program, as they are beginning school and learning to read, K/1 gives children an opportunity to read scripture and complete biblical activities with the encouragement and support of volunteers that love kids and long to point them to Jesus in all areas of life. As our children are growing and gaining independence, we encourage them to experience Jesus for themselves through learning to navigate and read their Bibles.
SUNDAY MORNING begins with hands on table top activities and move into learning what the Bible says about God, what it says about us and how we can respond to what we are learning. Activities are hands on, fun and gospel centered. K/1 makes moving from preschool smooth as we integrate a similar schedule they’re used to and also equips children to be ready to enter into the kids church program when they enter 2nd grade by using the same curriculum as kids church. It is helpful to ask your k/1 kids as well as your kids church children to share what they’re learning and discuss with one another as they’re learning the same lessons.
HELPER INFO k/1 volunteers are well equipped and ready to lead our children to Jesus through Bible lessons, songs, reading scripture, praying, discussing truths of Jesus together and completing art projects and gospel centered activities.
Aubrey Grove – K-1 Ministry Director
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Valley Life Elementary is designed for children in 2nd-5th grade. The goal in every lesson is to point kids to Jesus. Our leaders strive to introduce the concept of discipleship by partnering with older children with younger children for certain activities. In this program, we intend to serve one another out of our Gospel Identity, participate in Community with other Believers, and authentically worship Jesus, as we are on mission to be used by Him.