VOXKIDS MILESTONES
Equipping families to lead their children in lives of lasting faith
Child Dedication
Salvation
Baptism
Level Up

BAPTISM

A child being baptized in an outdoor pool by two Vox Church leaders, with family and friends applauding behind them.

What is Baptism?

Baptism is an act of obedience for those who have already been saved.

Baptism is a symbolic representation — a picture — of what God has already done in the life of a believer. It is a public declaration of the personal decision that a child has made to trust Jesus, make him Lord of their life, and follow him.

Baptism is commanded by Jesus himself: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

If your child has made the personal decision to follow Jesus:

Visit our VoxKids Salvation page to learn more about the life-changing decision your child has made.

Let us know — we would love to celebrate with you!

Use the resources below to begin conversations about baptism.

If your child has not yet decided to follow Jesus, continue praying for them and pointing them to Christ. Salvation is a personal decision, and we trust the Holy Spirit to draw each child to faith in God's perfect timing. Continue planting seeds, sharing the gospel, and believing that God hears every prayer.

Baptism | God's Story

PREPARE

Conversations about Baptism

Parents often wonder how to know if their child is ready to be baptized. As you prayerfully discern together, consider the following:

  • Does your child understand the gospel?
  • Can they explain their faith in their own words?
  • Are they showing a growing desire to follow God through prayer, Bible reading, and obedience?
  • Have they personally placed their trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior?

Helpful questions to discuss together:

  • What has God done for us?
  • Why did Jesus die for our sins — and why does it matter that he rose again?
  • What is sin, and why do we need a Savior?
  • What does it mean to trust Jesus with your whole life?
  • What does following Jesus mean to you?
  • Why do Christians get baptized?
  • Why do you want to be baptized?
  • What, if anything, makes you feel nervous about baptism?

Salvation & Baptism Milestone Class

Milestone classes are designed to equip families to guide their children toward a life of lasting faith. As children take the next steps in their spiritual journey, VoxKids partners with parents to help them confidently lead their children toward salvation, baptism, and a life in Christ. Attendance is highly encouraged for parents of children interested in getting baptized, or who would like to prepare in advance to guide a child through salvation and baptism.

Talk with your kids director for more information and to find out when your campus's next offering will take place.

Connect with Your VoxKids Director

If your child is registering to be baptized, we'd love for you and your child to meet with your local VoxKids Director for a conversation of faith. This is a relaxed space where we can talk together about your child's faith journey. We'll invite your child to share their story, what they understand about the gospel, and how they feel about making a commitment to follow Jesus.

We'll also walk through what it means to be a believer, what baptism is, who it's for, and why it's an important step. Once you register, a VoxKids Director or Campus Pastor will reach out to you to schedule a time to connect.

If you have any questions about your child's specific situation or aren't sure what your next step in family discipleship looks like, we'd love to help. Please reach out to your local VoxKids Director — they can provide information about upcoming Salvation and Baptism Milestone Classes and baptism services. It's truly our joy to partner with you in this important and exciting season!

Recommended Resources

As you continue discipling your children at home, here are some suggested resources and next steps to prayerfully consider:

  • VoxKids Following Jesus Pamphlet
  • New City Catechism for Kids (app, curriculum, book, and website) – resources to teach core doctrines of Christianity to children in kid-friendly language using a scripted question and answer format supported by scripture and music to aid in learning and memorization.
  • Family Discipleship: Leading Your Home Through Time, Moments, and Milestones
  • Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family
  • Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids
  • RightNow Media — Kids

Get Connected

  • Join the VoxKids Family Discipleship Challenge.
  • Participate in a parenting group at your campus — including a short-term group studying Habits of the Household.
  • Join a community group or servant team to grow spiritually and model godly living for your family.
  • Pray intentionally and consistently for your child.

Looking Ahead

We encourage you to continue parenting with the next milestone in mind. At the end of each August, VoxKids celebrates Level Up Sunday — a milestone event that marks new beginnings for kids, including those entering a new grade, a new Sunday school classroom, and those graduating from our program.

For many children, this moment commemorates their transition into adolescence and VoxYouth. At Vox, we look forward to coming alongside you as you prepare to navigate this new season of parenting. Stay tuned for more information about this year's Level Up celebrations!

Visit the Level Up Page
Frequently Asked Questions

No. Child Dedication and Baptism are two distinct faith milestones. Child Dedication is a commitment made by parents to raise their child to know and follow God, while the church commits to supporting and encouraging the family in that calling.

Baptism, on the other hand, is a personal response of faith by someone who has already trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Because baptism follows an individual's decision to follow Jesus, we believe children should be baptized only after they have personally placed their faith in him.

No. We are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ — not by any act we perform (Ephesians 2:8–9). Baptism doesn't accomplish salvation; it announces it. It is the outward picture of an inward reality that has already taken place.

Yes — and we hope they will be. Dedication was a commitment their parents made; baptism is a commitment they make themselves. The two are not in competition. Dedication looked forward to this very day.

We don't set a minimum age, because Scripture doesn't. What we look for is not maturity in years but genuine faith. We would always rather wait a season than rush a child into a step they don't yet understand.

It's relaxed, not a test. A VoxKids Director or Campus Pastor will sit down with you and your child, invite your child to share their story and what they understand about the gospel, and talk through what baptism is, who it's for, and why it matters. You'll be there the whole time.

At the beginning of a baptism service the pastor will pray and then briefly explain the meaning of baptism. The pastor will introduce you and the other participants and you can share a brief description of your testimony.

When it is your turn to be baptized, you will get into the water with the person who will baptize you. The person baptizing you will say, "I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." The person baptizing you will briefly lower you backwards under the water and then raise you back up. You can then leave the water, towel off, get changed, and watch others being baptized.

Don't forget to bring a change of clothes, a towel and bag for your wet clothes.

Parents are encouraged to attend the child baptism milestone class in order to feel confident in facilitating faith conversations at home with their children as they take this next step in their spiritual journey. Milestone classes are designed to equip families to guide their children toward a lifelong faith which includes providing tools for at-home discipleship. Child Baptism Milestone Classes will be offered twice a year coinciding with our baptism events. You can also reach out to your local VoxKids director.

Yes! This class is designed to partner with parents, equipping them to disciple their children at home. Anyone interested in learning more is welcome to attend, even if their child is not yet ready to be baptized.