The Durant High School Senior Baccalaureate was Sunday at Durant First United Methodist Church and the speaker was Anderson Reign, who is a pastor, spoken word poet and motivational speaker.
Reign grew up under the neon lights of Las Vegas, Nevada, before moving to Durant almost four years ago. He attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and is a former collegiate rugby player and fencer. He is a Slam Poet Champion who attends the Poetry on Lost Street poetry readings.
He has been blessed with the opportunity to travel to several states in recent years to share the gospel through preaching, teaching and poetry. He has a passion for speaking life into young people and encouraging their spiritual growth through thought-provoking ministry.
Senior Shiloh Austin presented welcoming remarks and she said this was a moment she wanted to thank God for walking everyone through this.
“To our family, future and friends, the constant love, prayers and support throughout these past four years have been nothing but incredible and I thank you all,” Austin said. “As we prepare to step into the next chapter of our lives, may we always hear God’s truth, the strength of His way and the courage to live out our purpose.”
Mitchell Palmer delivered the opening prayer. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Lani Horner and scripture reading was by Jozelynn Coffey. Emma Reeves sang the National Anthem and Addison Harkey also read scripture. There was a prayer by Zachary Jorgenson and Victoria Langley played Amazing Grace on her trumpet.
Jaci Austin read scripture and Rachel Cordell introduced Anderson Reign, who then spoke.
Reign referenced the saying “I was today years old when …” “If I said that a little bit differently, I would say it to every person in this room when talking about time,” Reign said. “Today is the youngest that any of you will ever be. I mean think about it, it’s true, right? No matter what you’ve been through in this life, no matter how good it’s been, no matter how many trials you overcome, no matter any of that, right? Today is the youngest that you will ever be again. But you know what? Because we’re not in control, time today is the only day that any of you know that you have ever again.
“We know that to be true. We’ve seen that, we’ve experienced that, we’ve felt that and sometimes, it’s hard and sometimes it’s heavy, but if today is the only day that you know that you have, why don’t we live differently? Why don’t we pursue Jesus harder? Why don’t we steward our time better? Why do we chase after these fleeting things as opposed to our time and what that looks like?
Reign spoke of praying, seeing the Lord and not settling for the status quo.
“My challenge is, you don’t ever do that in life,” Reign said.
He said failures do not define a person.
“Our failures help to equip us for the greater success that we know will come,” Reign said. “Time is finite, whether you use it for good or you just let it drift away, it’s going to be gone. Think about it, every single second, every heartbeat, every pulse in your veins screams now, the time is always literally right now.”
In closing, Reign said said he was hoping to give the graduates kernels of wisdom and food for thought.
“If I can finish on a final note here just to say, have some fun this summer,” Reign said. “We’re proud of you, I’m proud of you. I don’t have to know most of these students in here to say that I’m truly proud of you … God bless you guys. Find some time to reflect, think about it this summer. Praise God, He is good all the time.”
Kiwanis President Shyla Whitlock then announced the winners of the club’s spiritual aims scholarships, Mitchell Palmer and Ashlan Summit.
“Our club’s primary focus is to serve the children of our local communities,” Whitlock said. “Each year, we award graduating high school students with several prestigious scholarships. We believe investing in the future of these students is one of the best ways we can impact our communities. The spiritual aims scholarships are given to students that excel in academic performance, extracurricular activities and community involvement, but special attention is given to students who show a high degree of spiritual commitment.”
The baccalaureate was presented by DHS Class of 2025, First United Methodist Church and United Youth Ministries of Durant. Sponsors were Durant Kiwanis Club and First United Methodist Church.
