“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there. 1 Samuel 1:27–28 (NIV)

We believe children are a gift from God and we are called to care for them and lead them to Christ. Two of our core values are, “We uphold God’s design for healthy families,” and “We invest in the next generation.” Proverbs 22:6 says to Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. 

Child Dedication at New Life is a ceremony where parents publicly commit to raising their children to hear, believe, and follow God. Our church family serves as witnesses to this commitment and also commits to support, encourage, and pray for these parents as they raise their children in the Lord.

Child Dedication is not the same as infant baptism or christening. Rather, it is a commitment by parents to raise their child(ren) according to biblical principles, with the hope and prayer that one day their child will personally place their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.

We believe the Bible teaches that baptism is a step of obedience that follows an individual’s personal decision to trust in Jesus Christ (see Matthew 28:19–20). For this reason, we wait until a person is able to make that personal spiritual decision before being baptized.

DEDICATION CLASS:

A Required Class for Parents

​Dedication class is free, one week before the service. Attend class once, and for future children, just register for the service.

​EXPECTATIONS OF PARENT(S):

1. At least one parent has made a personal commitment to follow Jesus Christ. We recognize that in many families, one parent may not yet share this faith but still desires to participate—this is welcomed.

2. Parent(s)/guardian(s) are actively attending New Life and pursuing a growing relationship with Christ in their daily lives.

3. Parent(s)/guardian(s) are in alignment with New Life’s beliefs, purpose, and values, and desire to raise their child in a Christ-centered home.

4. Parent(s)/guardian(s) commit to modeling a life that honors God, leading by example in both faith and conduct. This includes pursuing sexual purity according to biblical teaching. Because of this, couples who are living together outside of marriage will not be able to participate in the dedication ceremony at this time. However, we would love to walk alongside you and support you in taking next steps in your faith and relationship.

Our next Child Dedication will take place on May 10, 2026.