EASTSIDE CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Say hello to Erin Gaxiola, our children’s director here at Eastside. Erin has served in children’s ministry since 2004 with the majority of that time being at Eastside. Erin holds a degree from Biola University in elementary education with a specialization in intercultural studies. She has been married since 2007. Erin believes a child’s walk with Christ should be safe and fun! Erin channels her experience and passion into creating amazing environments for children to develop and nurture their walk with Christ. She believes that if it isn’t fun she really doesn’t want to do it and neither will the children. Her philosophy is simple: if you can build it, play it, sculpt it, taste it, and or throw it against the wall, she is game. Erin loves leading her staff and volunteer team into being another positive voice in the lives of Kidsiders!

Meet Laura Jones. Laura has been a part of Eastside since 2000! Laura initially began serving at Eastside as a volunteer in the nursery. During this time, Laura fell in love with serving at Kidside, and in 2015 felt called to accept the role as the Nursery & Childcare Coordinator. Laura has two amazing children, Taylor and Jeremy, who both attended Eastside School. As a cancer survivor, Laura has developed the heart and strength to walk alongside others who are experiencing the same life-altering event. Laura is known for her kindness and gentle spirit. She always has a smile on her face. When Laura isn’t serving at Eastside, she can be found crafting and decorating cookies! When you meet her, make sure to ask her about her collection of owls!

Say hello to Shannon. Shannon is what we call the Eastside DNA, as she has been a part of Eastside since she was in junior high. In 2003, Shannon and her husband were called to launch a church plant in Murrieta, CA. In 2010 Shannon and her family returned back to Eastside, and in 2015 she joined Eastside’s staff as our preschool coordinator. Shannon has dedicated her whole career to early childhood development and education. In her spare time, Shannon enjoys camping and hiking with her husband and two boys.

Say hello to Jennifer. Jennifer is the kindergarten/1st grade coordinator. Jennifer has been serving in various churches for over two decades and is passionate about impacting families, especially children, for Christ. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Christian Education from Biola and two Master’s Degrees from Talbot School of Theology in Christian Education and Christian Ministry Leadership, it’s clear Jennifer has devoted her entire life to kingdom impact. Jennifer accepted Christ into her heart as a child, was baptized in high school, and accepted her calling to ministry in college. Jennifer’s favorite food group is sugar, followed closely by carbs (especially when combined with sugar). Although Jennifer has “retired” from marathon running, after completing a 5k, 10k, and half marathon, you can still get her to compete provided that there is a Tyrannosaurus Rex chasing her. When you meet Jennifer make sure to ask her if she has met any of her childhood heroes and what her latest Lego set build-out was!

Meet Erica. Erica has been at Eastside since 2016 and loves it. Erica is married to the man of her dreams (Joe Schmaltz, Jr. High Director) and they have two incredible boys, Carver & Decker. Erica holds a degree from Biola University in Christian Education and a Masters in Christian Ministry from Talbot. While at Biola, Erica had the privilege of playing soccer and has carried that passion for the game into her everyday life. Erica loves soccer but is also called to help students come to know and walk with Christ. When Erica is not at the Eastside campus serving God and her community you can find her on the soccer field at Yorba Linda High School coaching the Mustangs!

Meet Esther McLaughlin. Esther has been attending Eastside since 2011 and has been the Kidside admin since 2018. Prior to being on staff, Esther was a Change Maker for over four years. She volunteered with the baptism and Next Steps teams. During this process, she has met some wonderful people who have become family. Esther is married to the most patient and loving man she has ever met. They are parents to five children and grandparents to one beautiful granddaughter. In her free time, she loves hanging out with her family! Esther also enjoys discovering new restaurants as well as supporting small businesses.

Say hello to Delana Bean. Delana is the Special Forces Coordinator. She started attending Eastside before 2011 when our campus was in Fullerton! Delana used to work with animals before getting into children’s ministry. She loves to create and learn new things. Delana’s nickname used to be MacGyver because she was known for building anything with whatever supplies were given. Delana is always busy creating something new on her Cricut, wood burning projects, and making imitation leather journals. She also likes baking cakes and cookie decorating! Her real passion is being a lifetime learner as she pushes herself to learn new skills and find new hobbies. When Delana is not at Eastside she is spending time with her nieces and nephews having movie nights, Starbucks after school, or playing board games.

Meet Tammy she’s been attending Eastside since 2017. Tammy married her college sweetheart, Jim, in 1993. They have three children. Tammy holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies: human development and a master’s degree in education from Hope International University. After teaching kindergarten for five years, she changed directions to become a children’s pastor. As a children’s pastor and parent volunteer in her children’s activities, Tammy encountered several students/families with special needs. She found a desire to assist those with special needs to access worship and children’s ministry experiences. When not at Eastside, Tammy can be found at the pool or concert hall supporting her sons. Her favorite tv show is The Amazing Race. When you meet Tammy, ask her about her recent and upcoming travel adventures.

Meet Katelyn Shields, our Irvine Kidside Coordinator. Katelyn started serving on the Anaheim Campus with the 4th and 5th graders in 2019. In 2020-2021, Katelyn was an intern in Block 45. Katelyn has a BA in Children and Family Ministry from Hope International University. Katelyn is really excited to help kids and families in Irvine grow in their relationship with God. In her free time Katelyn loves to spend time with her family and paint.

Meet Kellen Johnson. Kellen has been attending Eastside since the Redlands campus opened in 2019. Kellen graduated from Biola University with a Liberal Arts Degree in Elementary Education, emphasis English Literature and a minor in Biblical Theology. She has taught in underserved schools, homeschools and charter schools. She married her husband, Levi in 2012, had their first child, Ellie in 2015 and adopted their son, Ezra in 2019. She’d love to share they’re foster-to-adopt journey. In 2022, she was able to partner with Eastside Redlands as the Kidside Coordinator. It has been a joy and pleasure of hers to pour into any and all children that come onto the Redlands campus and make them feel at home as they pursue relationships with Christ. When you see her, be sure to ask her about how many animals she owns or the different countries she has visited on missions trips!

Meet Connor Dee. Connor was hired as the Kidside Coordinator right alongside the launch of the Eastside Las Vegas Campus. Connor, 21 years old, was born and raised in Las Vegas and is currently working on his Bachelor’s Degree at Grand Canyon University. He has always had the heart to serve and took that to the next level when he accepted a ministry internship at Life Springs Christian Church. Connor served on the youth and production teams during his time at Life Springs, that is until he began his journey into Eastside’s Kidside. In Connor’s free time, you can find him watching movies, playing basketball, and spending time with his family.

Say hello to Bronwen Griffith. Bronwen has been the Kidside coordinator in Park Rapids, MN, since 2018. Bronwen is a preacher’s kid that grew up in Southern California. While in SoCal, Bronwen attended Hope International University where she studied early childhood education and children’s ministry. Bronwen has been married since 1996 to her husband Chuck and has one daughter, Madison. She used to vacation in Park Rapids every summer, and finally, she moved to Park Rapids in 2010 and loves it. Bronwen comes to Eastside with a breadth of educational and marketplace experience as she taught preschool for 12 years and worked in retail management for 18 years. On the weekends Bronwen can be found fishing and sitting around a campfire with friends and family.