Those MCHS graduates who participated were (bottom row, L-R) Ashley Davis, Mary Sue Newberry, Breche Leonard, LeAndra Kelley, Mallory Jarvis; (second row) Kasey Carter, Caitlyn Coker, Jennifer Rathel, Tarah Sloan; (third row) April Vaughn, Olivia Andrews, Shakell Grant, Janelle Grant, Shenice Grimsley, Erica Benton, LaTonya Williams; (fourth row) Eddie Sells, Josh Broxton, Dylan Spurlock, Taylor Henry, Josh Baccalaureate 2010 The Miller County Ministerial Association honored the participating seniors of Miller County High School at the annual baccalaureate service. This very special service was held at the Colquitt Free Will Baptist Church at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 23, 2010.

A sanctuary was filled with proud parents, grandparents, and friends as they anxiously awaited the Class of 2010.

Reverend Kent Barwick welcomed the class members and those attending.

LaTonya Williams welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending the baccalaureate service honoring the students.

Rev. Benjamin Miller talks to the seniors. be what we once were. We The graduates marched into the sanctuary to the music of “Pomp and Circumstance,” played by Mrs. Ruth Merritt.

Rev. Tony Clay offered a prayer to the graduates, their friends and family.

LeAndra Kelley read the scripture, Psalm 8: “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens! Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, That you may silence the enemy and the avenger. When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen -- Even the beasts of the field, The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!”

The guest speaker was then introduced by Rev. Mike Mounts, pastor of Bellview Free Will Baptist Church.

The Rev. Benjamin Miller, pastor of New Home Free Will Baptist Church, gave an inspiring address to the Class of 2010 that touched the members as well as the rest of the audience. The scripture was from Exodus 19:16- 20. The speaker for the event focused on the revelation of God as a significant event in Israel’s history. Out of God’s own initiative, not because of their personal merit, He chose to reveal Himself on Mount Sinai.

He said things are to change in our lives when the Lord reveals Himself to us; we cannot continue to be what we once were. We cannot be who we were and become who God wants us to be.

According to Rev. Miller, most importantly, our perspective on who God is must change according to His revelation. We need a perception of God that does not limit what He can do in our lives.

This passage shows us that there is no place or condition in which God cannot reveal Himself to us. This appearance of the Lord was in the wilderness to a people who were certainly not morally perfect. We all find ourselves in bad situations, but the strength of God will preserve us through all things.

An appearance of God is meaningless if we do not respond personally to His revelation. Moses was called, and Moses went up into God’s presence. God draws us all at some point in our lives. The question is, “Will you be courageous enough to answer and live for Him?”

After Rev. Miller’s sermon, the Rev. Daniel Dean gave the benediction, and the seniors marched out to “War March of the Priest” by Mrs. Ruth Merritt.

The Miller County Ministerial Fellowship would like to share these words with the Class of 2010. “The real question to ponder is not what will I be? But what would God have me to do? Our lives are the battleground for the struggle for faith and eternity. Settle in your hearts today who you will be in God’s plan. Choose life. Choose Christ. The path to eternity is not easy; it has never been an easy walk. But it does not have to be aimless and hopeless. Allow God to be the True North of your life. Find your purpose in serving Him and His church. Allow the yoke of Christ to relieve you of the burdens you are unable to bear, and you will find the rest for which your soul longs! You will find your purpose? The journey is amazing. Life is precious, filled moment by moment with evidence of the magnificent grace of God. But the destination is even better for God’s children. May the peace of Christ be your strength to carry on to the finish line! Our prayers are always with you.”

The Class of 2010 of Miller County High School will hold its graduating ceremony on Friday evening, June 2, at 8:00 p.m. at Pirate Stadium.