The Scriptural root of child dedication is found in 1 Samuel 1:27-28 where a Godly woman named Hannah prayed year after year to the Lord to give her a child. God answered her prayer and she gave birth to a son whom she named Samuel. After 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." In Luke 2 after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took him to the temple and dedicated him. In both Scripture verses, the parents entrusted their child completely to God. Other verses in the Bible call parents to nurture an everyday faith in God in their child. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 reads: "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."

You do not need to be a Foothills member to have your child dedicated. Child dedication is open to all who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and call Foothills their home church. In dedicating your child, you are surrendering your child to God and affirming your commitment to partner with God and the church to raise your child according to God's plan. To partner with any church, a parent would be wise to decide if they agree with its beliefs and vision.

The dedication service is a time for parents to express their vows before God, their family and the church, declaring their desire to raise their child in a God-honouring way. Parents will be asked to affirm the following commitments: - Believing that your child is a gift from God, and recognizing your responsibility as parents, do you covenant with God today to raise this child to love and serve the Lord your God? - Will you pray with them and for them? Will you teach them God's Word and the way of salvation in Jesus Christ? - Will you instruct them to be a godly follower of Jesus Christ and to live their life fully dedicated to God's glory?

The New Testament records baptism following an adult believer's decision to trust Jesus alone for salvation (Acts 2:41, 8:12 and 10:47–48). Rather than baptizing children, Foothills encourages Christian parents to dedicate their children to God.

We recognize that child dedication signifies the commitment of parents, including single parents, to do their best to raise their child to be a follower of Christ. We acknowledge the extra effort required for a single parent to raise a child. As a church, we invite single parents to dedicate their children and are committed to supporting them in providing a Christian foundation for their child's upbringing.