The next Baby Dedication will take place in Spring 2024.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old, he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6 NKJV
Congratulations on your decision to have your child dedicated to the Lord! We are excited that you are committed to raising your child to decide to have a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Baby Dedication Ceremony is a special time where the Pastors and fellow clergy pray over your child.
Why We Practice Baby Dedication?
- Jesus blessed children by laying his hands on them and praying for them. (Matthew 19: 14-15)
- Children are a gift from God. (Psalms 127:3)
- God instructs parents to train their children in His ways through understanding the Bible. (Deuteronomy 6:4-7, Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4)
- In the Bible, parents presented their children to God. (1 Samuel 1, Job 1:5)
- As your spiritual family/local church, we publicly affirm our support of your child and family.
Doctrinal Position Concerning Baby Dedication
The Assemblies of God (the cooperative fellowship of churches ECMKE is affiliated with) holds to a belief in Baby Dedication rather than baptism of children or infant baptism. We practice “Believers’ Baptism”.
Instead of “Infant” Baptism, we practice Baby Dedication. We pray over children publicly in the presence of their parents, godparents, family, and friends. We devote children to the Lord. We pray they will make the decision to choose Christ at an age of accountability (a point at which they can make a conscious decision to do so); and live in relationship with Jesus Christ. Baby Dedication is a time where parents and godparents agree to raise the child/children to become a Christian.
The Day of Baby Dedication
- Please arrive with your child(ren) at 9:00 a.m. in the Chapel for check-in. Your family/guests can arrive for service separately. The sanctuary doors open at 9:40 a.m. If your family/guest choose to arrive early with you, we ask they wait in the atrium due to the limited space within the chapel.
- A photographer will be available to take a picture of each family. Pictures will be emailed to each family for you to distribute.
- Families with children being dedicated are to wait for instructions. The officiating pastor will call you and your child(ren) forward by name. Ministers will then pray over the children and families. Due to limited spacing, only the parents, child(ren) who are being dedicated and godparents are able to come to the front. All other family members/guests/friends will need to observe from their seats. The dedication ceremony will be available on the screens.
- Each family will receive a keepsake certificate.