Churches Work Together for Senior Banquet

By John Earp

Wednesday evening in the Jal Community Center, the five Protestant churches in Jal worked together to put on a senior banquet for the class of 2025. About 2/3 of the graduating class showed up for the time of fellowship, fun, and food, which was a good turnout compared to previous senior banquets in recent years. A sermon/devotional was brought by Pastor James Flores of First Baptist Church about being “an idea.” Flores spoke of how the students’ experiences in school and in life had worked to shape them into the person they were today. He challenged them not to waste their life but to make something out of the opportunities they would be presented with as they venture out into the world. Burgers were provided by First Baptist Church. The Church of God provided desserts and gifts. Calvary Baptist provided buns, veggies, and water. The Church of Christ provided cheese, chips, napkins, and condiments. The Methodist Church provided takeout trays. Police Chief Mauricio Valeriano, who also serves in the First Baptist Church, organized fun and games for the event, which includes cornhole toss as well as water games provided by the Jal Fire Department.