KIDSPOINT exists to give kids Jesus on their level; Child Dedication is a public commitment from you, the parent(s), to do the same. The Child Dedication process gives parents the opportunity to thoughtfully make a spiritual plan for how they will help their child meet Jesus on their level. Our desire is to help parents prioritize their child's journey to know and follow Jesus above all other parenting pursuits. Child Dedications is designed for children 0-5 years old.

In order to dedicate your child at CITYPOINT we ask that you are a regular attender of our Sunday morning services and that you have completed our six week “Welcome Home” life group study if you’re at our Washington campus. In Williamsburg, we ask that you have attended a Child Dedication Parent Meeting with Pastor Drew. This meeting is scheduled for Nov. 16, immediately following church.

We ask parents to call CITYPOINT their home church and participate in a “Welcome Home” life group or Parent Meeting, because in dedicating your child to God, you are stating that you are willing to partner with God and the Church to raise your child in cooperation with God’s intentions. To partner with any church, a parent would be wise to decide if he or she agrees with its beliefs and vision so they can fully participate in their partnership with the church. During “Welcome Home” or the Parent Meeting you will learn CITYPOINT’s core values and vision for our church.

When you have completed the group or meeting, you can fill out the form below, indicating your interest in Child Dedication. A member of our team will contact you with more details.

The scriptural root of child dedication is found in 1 Samuel 1:27–28 (NASB), where a godly woman named Hannah prayed year after year for God to give her a child. He answered her prayer and she gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel. When Samuel was born, Hannah prayed these words:

"For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord."

A New Testament example is in Luke, chapter 2. Following the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took the infant Jesus to the temple and dedicated him.

In both Scripture passages, the parents entrusted their child completely to God. The writings of Moses, found in Deuteronomy 6:5–9, describe God's plan for how a parent should raise up a child:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give 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. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

At CITYPOINT, child dedication will help you mark this step as you publicly express your desire to raise your children in a godly manner.

Scripture provides evidence that baptism follows an individual’s decision to trust Jesus alone for salvation (Acts 2:41, 8:12 and 10:47–48). In the Bible, we find parents bringing their children to Jesus. He held them, prayed for them and told us to welcome them. He did not baptize them and He did not tell anyone else to baptize them. CITYPOINT believes baptism is for those who have made a personal decision to trust Jesus alone for their salvation, once they have the maturity and ability to understand what that means.

Dedication is not a sacrament; nor does it impart grace or salvation to a child. Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ as each person recognizes their sinfulness and receives forgiveness and eternal life through him and his work on the cross.

Rather than baptizing infants or children, CITYPOINT encourages Christian parents to dedicate their children. This is a ceremony in which parents formally call upon God’s blessing for their child and publicly commit to raise him or her in accordance with Scripture.

Yes! Child dedication signifies the commitment of parents (including single parents) to do their best to raise their child to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Additionally, we highly encourage single parents to dedicate their child as they raise him or her without the presence or partnership of a spouse. The decision to dedicate a child is not dependent upon the beliefs of the ex-spouse; however we encourage single parents to discuss child dedication with their ex-spouse. Ideally, both parents—even if not married—would still participate in the dedication of their child to God. We acknowledge that this is often not possible and that it takes extra effort for a single parent to raise a child. As a church, CITYPOINT is committed to supporting single parents in providing a Christian foundation for their child’s upbringing.

You'll be contacted by one of our ministry staff to confirm your sign up, walk you through what to expect for the Child Dedication Service and help connect you with resources for your family after you dedicate your child. You’ll also receive some “homework.” You’ll be asked to choose a verse to pray over your child’s life and write a prayer for your child that you would like to be read during the service.