Child Dedication at Bear Creek
Your child is a gift. Let's celebrate that together.
Child dedication is a public moment where parents commit their child to the Lord and commit themselves to raising that child in a home where Jesus is known, talked about, and lived out.
It's less about a ceremony and more about a promise. You're saying you'll do everything you can to help your son or daughter understand God's love and grow into a real, life-giving relationship with Him.
God gave parents this calling a long time ago:
"These commandments that I give you today are to be on 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)
Faith gets passed down in ordinary moments: car rides, dinner tables, bedtime prayers. Dedication is where you say yes to that journey.
Because it's a promise made to God, we encourage parents to approach it prayerfully and seriously. Scripture reminds us it's better not to make a vow than to make one and walk away from it (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5).
Is Dedication the Same as Baptism?
No, and the difference matters.
Child dedication doesn't save your child or make them a Christian. Salvation is a personal decision each person makes when they're old enough to understand that Jesus died for their sins and choose to follow Him as Savior and Lord.
Baptism is how a follower of Jesus publicly celebrates that decision. At Bear Creek, we practice believer's baptism by immersion, so we don't baptize infants. Instead, we dedicate them, and we pray for the day they'll take that step of faith for themselves. When that day comes, we'll be cheering them on.
Who Can Participate?
We'd love to dedicate your child! Here's what we ask:
1. Be part of the Bear Creek family.
Parents should be regular attendees of Bear Creek and should have attended the After Hour Newcomer Lunch.
2. Share these convictions:
My child is a gift from God.
God has entrusted me with raising my child according to His Word and helping them discover His love and the salvation found in Jesus.
I want to dedicate my child to the Lord.
What Happens During the Dedication?
Parents make a promise.
During a Sunday service, we'll invite you to stand before your church family and commit to:
Pray for your child every day
Teach them the truths of the faith
Help them learn to read and love God's Word
Encourage them to pray and live a life that honors God
Bring them to church regularly so they grow up connected to God's people
Do everything you can to point your child to Jesus as Savior and Lord
"But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children, with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts." (Psalm 103:17-18)
Your church family makes a promise too.
Raising kids in faith takes a community. We'll ask the Bear Creek family to commit to praying for your child, supporting your family, and helping your little one grow in faith.
A pastor prays a blessing.
A pastor will dedicate your child to God in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and pray over your family. We'll close by speaking a blessing over all the children and parents together. (And yes, there will be photos.)
Ready to Dedicate Your Child?
Use the button below to sign up for the next Child Dedication Class