Antioch is growing in seemingly every way! Last Sunday we got to celebrate the recent birth or adoption of eight different kids into our families! This celebration is called a Child Dedication. It’s not an act of salvation on behalf of the child, but simply a public acknowledgement by the parents that they wish to raise their kids to follow Jesus and that they can’t do it on their own. Pastor Andy brings this out by asking the parents a simple question. “Will you commit to pray for your child, live as an example of Jesus Christ, and do everything in your power to point them to faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior?”
Recognizing that pointing a child to Jesus is a community endeavor, he turns to the congregation and asks the rest of us another question. “Will you commit to support and point these families to Jesus Christ, coming alongside them as they lead their children?”
For people who don’t have their own kids and wish they did, this question is a reminder that we are all invited to join in raising these kids to know and love Jesus. For folks who don’t have kids and don’t want them right now, it’s a reminder that all of us have something to offer and are called to support these families. And for families who do already have their own kids, it’s a reminder that life is even bigger than what’s going on under their own roof.
We are a family of families, and the way we support one another acts as a witness to the love of Christ. Whether or not you have children of your own, if you follow Jesus and are a part of a local church, consider how you can encourage the families in your community. At Antioch, this might be through being on the Kids Ministry team, through bringing meals to families with newborns, by filling tangible needs like housework and shopping, and of course by praying for these kids. Will you pray with us that these parents will be living examples of Christ and that the kids will come to faith in Him?