There are moments in a child’s faith journey that deserve to be marked with celebration—moments that remind families of God’s faithfulness and invite the church to stand beside them. Events like baby dedications, first Bibles, and Promotion Sundays aren’t just events; they are milestones that shape a child’s understanding of faith, family, and belonging.

As preschool ministry leaders, we don’t just plan events—we create intentional, gospel-centered experiences that remind parents they are the primary spiritual leaders of their homes. How we design these milestone moments matters. Here’s how you can craft events that leave a lasting impact.

1. Design with Parents in Mind

It’s easy to focus on making milestone moments exciting for kids, but the real target audience is their parents. Parents are the primary disciple-makers of their children, and these events should equip, encourage, and inspire them. A baby dedication isn’t just about the baby—it’s about commissioning parents to raise their child in faith. A first Bible celebration isn’t just about handing out books—it’s about reminding parents that their voice matters most in their child’s spiritual formation.

Think through the event from a parent’s perspective. What would make them feel supported? What words would encourage them? How can you remind them that they are not alone in this journey?

2. Let Your Team Shine

It’s tempting to put yourself front and center at these events, but milestone moments should be led by a team. When parents see a team surrounding them, it reinforces that they are not raising their child in faith alone—they have a church family walking with them.

Empower your team to take the lead in different areas. Let volunteers greet families and make them feel welcome. Have elders or other church leaders pray over families. If you’re handing out Bibles, let a small group leader present them. The more your team is involved, the more parents will see the church as a true partner in their child’s faith.

3. Give Meaningful Keepsakes

A well-chosen keepsake can turn a simple event into a memory that lasts a lifetime. Instead of handing out generic items, make sure each keepsake reinforces the purpose of the milestone.

- At baby dedications, give parents a handwritten card from the church, a framed blessing, or a small book on family discipleship.

- For first Bibles, have your team or church elders sign them with notes of encouragement.

- On Promotion Sunday, consider a small but meaningful gift, like a bookmark with a verse about growing in faith or a personalized prayer card.

These keepsakes should serve as tangible reminders of the church’s commitment to walk alongside families in their faith journey.

4. Systematize So You Can Be Present

If you’re scrambling behind the scenes, you’ll miss the real moments of ministry. The key to a meaningful event is preparation. Anything that can be systematized should be—registrations, follow-up emails, setup and teardown plans, volunteer roles, and keepsake distribution.

The more you prepare ahead of time, the more you can be fully present during the event. You’ll be free to connect with parents, encourage children, and celebrate the work God is doing in your church family.

Creating Gospel-Centered Milestones

These milestone moments are about more than just events—they’re about pointing families to Jesus. Every baby dedication is a reminder that God calls us to raise children in His ways. Every first Bible, points to the truth that God’s Word is alive and active. Every Promotion Sunday marks growth, not just in age, but in faith.

As you plan milestone moments, remember the ultimate goal: to help parents and children see that Jesus is with them in every step of their journey.

Josh Zello has been married to his best friend, Hannah, for seven years, and they have a four-year-old little girl named Avery. Because of Josh’s passion for early childhood ministry, he has dedicated over fifteen years to serving in preschool ministry, lending his efforts to churches ranging in size from 17,000 attendees to as few as 250. His passion lies in crafting gospel-centered, developmentally appropriate, and thriving preschool ministries. You can find him at JesusLovesPreschoolers.com.