From Ben – 11 April 2021

Today is a very special day in the life of G.P.C. We will witness 3 separate church families bring their children forward for Christian baptism and dedication. This is a meaningful ceremony which has its roots way back in the Old Testament and was consistently practiced throughout the Old Testament. In the New Testament we see families or households being baptised, where children were included.

As a church community this is not only a time of celebration as these children are welcomed into our church, but we, as a community, will participate as well. You will note that we are not just spectators, but participants, promising to encourage and help these parents to lay Christian foundations in these children’s lives.

I need not point out that we live in a postmodern, post Christian culture, that no longer values Christian traditions and where the bible and its teachings are no longer regarded. It is imperative for us, as a Christian community to pass on our Christian heritage to the children of our own families and our church community. I encourage you to pray for our children and our children’s workers and youth workers, that they would be diligent and committed.

Take an interest in the children, get to know their names and interests as you engage with them. By God’s grace we are a multi-generational church, but let us not let that just wash over us, but do what we can to love, embrace, include and encourage our children.

Let us never forget that our Lord seemed to take time to engage with and include the children around Him.