CHILD DEDICATION
An opportunity for new parents to focus today on what will affect their child's future the most.

CONGRATULATIONS on the gift of parenthood!

We are so glad that you are interested in participating with us in our Child Dedication Celebration. You have been entrusted with the precious gift of new life, and we look forward to partnering with you as you embark on this parenting journey. We hope the Child Dedication Celebration will be a memorable occasion for you and your family.

BIBLICAL MODEL

The Biblical model for child dedication can be found in 1 Samuel 1:24-28.

Hannah prayed for a child. The Lord blessed her with a son that she named Samuel. Recognizing that her child was a precious gift from God she dedicated him to the Lord.

As your child's parent, God calls you to be his/her spiritual leader.

These commandments that I give to you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7

The child dedication should not be confused with salvation.

Dedicating your child to the Lord does not secure his/her eternal destiny. The Bible tells us that salvation is by faith alone and not by works.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift f God, not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Each of us must make our own personal decision of faith. As your child grows he/she must make their own decision to trust Jesus Christ as their savior. You cannot do it for them. what you can do is be a godly role model for them by living a life of faith and parenting them in a Christ-centered atmosphere that will lead them towards Jesus Christ.

Is a child capable of making a faith decision?

Absolutely!  Jesus made it clear that His message of hope is not only for adults but also for children and that they have the capacity to trust Him.

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Mark 10:13-15

Every child grows and develops at a different pace. There is no set age at which a child is ready for salvation. We do know that of those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior, most of them did so by the age of 14. No matter what the age, salvation is a work of the Holy Spirit and a matter for which you can begin praying today.

Why don't we use water baptism in our dedication ceremony?

We believe that baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith decision. We baptize by full immersion (not sprinkling) because we believe it to be a picture of us being buried with Christ in His death and then raised with Christ in His resurrection to lead a new life.

While baptism is not a requirement of salvation, it is a powerful expression of our union with Christ and it should be our first act of obedience after coming to Christ. We believe that when your child is old enough to understand what it means to put their faith in Jesus as their Savior (Or as we like to say in PowerHouse, our "Forever Friend") they should have the opportunity to make that decision for themselves. Then he/she should be baptized. For more information of children baptism, click here .