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Columbus First Church of the Nazarene was the host church for the 2025 CISD Baccalaureate Service sponsored yearly by the Columbus Ministerial Alliance, Inc.
The Baccalaureate Service is a non-denominational Christian celebration within a worship service to honor a graduating senior class. Unlike the larger Commencement exercises, the service offers a quieter, more intimate opportunity to pause and reflect on this rite of passage into adulthood and the importance of faith in one’s journey through life. The history of the Baccalaureate originated at the University of Oxford in 1432 when each candidate was required to deliver an ‘examinatory sermon’ in Latin as part of their academic requirements. Graduates today are most happy with the modern Americanized version!
A warm welcome by hosting Pastor Michael Thompson was followed by Dr. Diane Sarao, Principal of CISD High School, who opened the service and was then followed by nine CISD graduates giving a welcome, a call to worship, reading scriptures, giving prayers and appreciations.
The message was del ivered by Pastor Alan Kethan of St. Paul Lutheran Church Columbus and congregational singing was accompanied by an instrumental trio of John Buehler, Bob Styles & Dr. Mazie Leftwich with Cynthia Robin Thompson leading the singing. A celebratory reception was hosted by the Women of the Nazarene Church following the worship service.
The Columbus Ministerial Alliance is a faithbased group of men and women (pastors, church musicians and church and community representatives) who are dedicated to meaningful prayer, ecumenical unity and a vibrant community.
The Alliance is committed to the promotion of Judeo-Christian values, growing in God’s love and expressing that love to all. The primary goal is to provide for the spiritual and benevolent needs of all those within our community, without any regard for religion, race, ethnicity, creed or culture.
The Mission includes: “With God as our guide, we will endeavor to build a hope-filled community in which all men, women and youth may thrive, where the Gospel is made relevant, and where the love of Jesus Christ is experienced by all.”
