The Ministerial Association and Fountain Hills High School announced that Baccalaureate will be held Sunday, May 19, from 4 to 5 p.m.

It will be held at the Fountain Hills Christian Center located at the intersection of Fountain Hills Blvd. and Ironwood Drive.

The service is being developed for the graduating seniors. There will be contemporary worship music from the Fountain Hills Christian Center praise team band led by graduating senior Will Aker.

The primary address will be given by Randy Short, youth pastor at Christ’s Church. Elise Bennett and Zak Lusk, two graduating seniors, will also offer remarks as will School Board President Dr. C.T. Wright and Matt Johnson, a teacher and coach at the school.

All high school students are encouraged to attend as they can join in honoring their graduating friends from the class of 2013. This worship service is also open to all community residents.

According to FHCC Pastor Todd Forrest, “The purpose of a Baccalaureate service is for Christians in our community to come together in celebrating past successes of our graduating seniors, thanking God for His work in their lives, which has brought them to this day.

“Even more importantly, though, it’s a launch-pad for the next crucial chapters in their lives spiritually, emotionally, vocationally and physically.”

“Our community of Christians in Fountain Hills needs to stand together and support our seniors as they embark on their future,” said former Mayor Wally Nichols, who is providing assistance with the event.

“Baccalaureate is not just celebrating academic achievement, it is affirming the faith they need to step into adulthood experiencing the power and love of Jesus Christ.

“This will support and remind them of their foundations in the difficult and challenging years to come.”

It is estimated that 40 to 50 percent of the freshmen starting college this fall will abandon their faith by the time they receive their diplomas in four years.

“These are the same students who actively participated in church youth groups in high school and, when polled the year before college, 80 percent indicated they had every intention of sticking with their faith,” said Forrest.

“We are their ministers, parents, teachers, neighbors and community leaders. We must communicate that they are important, they are loved, they have a community of faith that is cheering for them and that faith in Jesus Christ makes the difference.”

Dwight Johnson, who is assisting in coordinating the event, said, “We desired to provide each graduating senior in attendance with a special gift.

“Some $2,550 was raised in four days with two simple emails. That’s the type of loving community we have.”

There will be an informal reception immediately following in the church foyer with light refreshments and snacks.