Lake Avenue Children's Ministries exists to nurture children in partnership with our families toward:
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WORSHIPPING God with our whole lives
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PARTICIPATING in a Christ-Centered community
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SERVING others as a lifestyle
Our desire is to plant the seeds for a lifetime of faith in the hearts of our children. We strive to build a foundation through bible exploration, real life application and relationship with folks who are living their lives for Jesus. We have discovered that developing this foundation is not something we can do on our own and requires a much greater mutual commitment between parents, staff and shepherds (our volunteer leaders)
As parents and guardians, you are the spiritual mentors for your children. Our desire is to come alongside you, to provide significant spiritual nurturing to your children during each of our weekend services (Saturday at 5 pm, Sundays at 9, 11 am and 5 pm). We also host special events throughout the year (please see our quarterly calendar) for children and for the family.
We look forward to partnering with you and your children as we grow together in our relationship with Jesus.
Staff
Are YOU Part of the Big God Story?
The simple answer is "YES". We are all part of this amazing story that is told on every page of the Bible and continues today through all of our lives.
Children have always been vital in this story. A young shepherd boy, David, slayed Goliath…a child named Josiah became the King of Judah before he was 10…and God chose to send his Son, Jesus, as a baby to one day save us all.
These children had adults who taught them about God…the children in our church need that from our church family. Support the families and children in our church by serving in Children's Ministry. We provide all the training and resources needed to teach children about that Big God Story.
We are currently seeking volunteers for all age groups from our infants through our preteens.
Explore what it means to serve in Children's Ministry by contacting sulahs@lakeave.org or stop by the Plaza Info Center to talk to one of our team members.
Baptism & Dedication FAQ
What is Baptism & Child Dedication?
The Ordinances of Baptism
As a church which is committed to the authority of the Scriptures, Lake Avenue Church adheres to the biblical mandate, which places great significance on baptism. Jesus commanded His followers, "Go 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 
). Throughout the history of the church, Christians have believed that baptism is an act of obedient identification with Jesus as Lord. Therefore, baptism is an outward sign of a conscious confession of one's repentance and personal faith in Christ.
At LAC, we wait to baptize our children until they are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of the experience. We encourage our children beginning at six years of age to consider being baptized as a step of obedience, after they have received Christ into their
lives. They receive instruction on its meaning and then are usually baptized either with or by their parents.
While recognizing the right for other churches to practice infant baptism if it conforms to their theologies, LAC understands Scripture to teach that only professing believers qualify for baptism. In the Bible, we find parents bringing their children to Jesus. He held them and prayed for them and told us to welcome them, but He did not baptized them and did not tell anyone else to baptize them.
If you were baptized as an infant, it was the intent and hope of your parents that you would one day be a follower of Christ. Your decision to be baptized as an adult can be viewed as an infant.
If you were baptized as an infant in a church where this form of baptism was the only one practiced, IT IS NOT REQUIRED that you be baptized again in order to become a member of LAC. The primary issue is whether you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, not the method of baptism.
How do I baptize my child(ren)?
Complete an application form and sign up to baptize your child(ren) at one of our "Celebration of Children"services. Download an application form and submit it in our Children's Ministry office. After reviewing your application, Pastor of Children's Ministry, Tracy Trautman will contact you if further information is needed.
Baptism Class is required by the families/child(ren) wanting to be baptized. The child and both or one of the parents are expected to attend. It is an opportunity to affirm your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, profess your commitment to your family, and deepen your connection with the community at Lake Avenue Church.
Click here to download the Baptism Application:
Deadline to submit is September 25, 2011
Download Baptism Application
What are Parent Child Dedications?
Parent Child Dedications are often the first point of connection at Lake Avenue Church. This is one way we honor this season of life for families and help connect them with other families, staff, events and opportunities at Lake Avenue Church. Let's gratefully celebrate the gift of children! Jesus set an example by laying hands on children and blessing them. During our "Celebration of Children" in the worship services, Parent Child Dedications are a time for families to celebrate their children as we bless them together.
This celebration is intended to be a covenant between parents and God, on behalf of their
child until the child is old enough to make his or her own personal profession of Christ.
Dedications are tied to the parents' understanding, acknowledgment, and commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ and to their family. We want to preserve the family unit. Parents are making a commitment to the Lord together and then to their children is the beginning of a spiritual journey with one another. Continued support from extended family, friends, and the congregation in the lives of children is encouraged.
What does the Bible say?
Our best example of dedicating children was Jesus' relationship to them when they came around Him. He lifted them up, laid hands on them, and prayed for them (Mark 10:16 ). Hannah in the Old Testament dedicated Samuel to the Lord because of her answered prayer for a child (1 Samuel 1:22-28 ). We find an excellent example in Luke 2:22-24 in the New Testament when Jesus was brought to the temple and dedicated on the eighth day of His earthly life.
How do I dedicate my child(ren)?
Complete an application form and sign up to dedicate your child(ren) at one of our "Celebration of Children"services. Download an application form and submit it in our Children's Ministry office. After reviewing your application, Pastor of Early Childhood Ministries, Gwen Cram will contact you if further information is needed.
Dedication Class is required by the families wanting to Dedicate their child. It is an opportunity to affirm your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, profess your commitment to your family, and deepen your connection with the community at Lake Avenue Church.
Click here to download Child Dedication Application:Deadline to submit is September 25, 2011
dedication_application
If you are interested in participating in Child Dedication or Baptism, or have any questions please contact Su at sulahs@lakeave.org or 626.817.4857 or any of the Children's Ministry Pastoral team.
