POCC Live
Sunday Morning Worship 5/17/2026
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59:10
Summary
A commencement ceremony for the Class of 2026 at Cooper City Christian Academy celebrating the academic and spiritual achievements of Genesis Ramos and David Reales. The service emphasizes that graduation is not an end but a 'launching' into a life of kingdom purpose rooted in the strength of Jesus Christ.
Key points
- •Smaller Christian schools offer the unique advantage of individualized instruction that focuses on both academic success and spiritual growth.
- •True strength and perseverance (as exemplified by Genesis) come from a spirit that refuses to quit, even when facing health challenges or difficult academic mountains.
- •Leadership is often best displayed through faithfulness in the 'small things' and consistency of character rather than just holding a title.
- •Graduates are encouraged to 'chase purpose over popularity' and 'anointing over applause' as they move into a culture that often values the opposite.
- •Faith is not about having a complete map of the future; it is about trusting the One who holds the map and walking beside the Lord step by step.
Scripture
Graduation and Commencement
Christian Character
Faith and Perseverance
Kingdom Purpose
Life application
This week, focus on doing the 'things you don't like to do' with a spirit of excellence and worship, recognizing that character is built through discipline and faithfulness in the mundane.
Reflection questions
- Genesis was noted for her 'quiet strength.' How can you serve God effectively even if you aren't the 'loudest' person in the room?
- Pastor Hadaba mentioned that students should 'impact the culture' rather than 'blend into' it. In what area of your life are you currently blending in where you should be shining?
- Are you currently chasing popularity or purpose? How can you reorient your goals to seek God's anointing first?
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Full transcript
0:00>> We want to welcome you to the graduation
0:03ceremony of the class of 2026.
0:08And may I introduce to you
0:12Genesis Abigail Ramos
0:17>> [applause]
0:21>> and David Santiago Reales.
0:27>> [applause]
0:28>> Please stand
0:30and we are going to invite the Lord's
0:33presence into this ceremony today. Dr.
0:37Alex Boswell, one of our administrators
0:39and instructors at Cooper City Christian
0:42Academy, is going to say a few words and
0:45then lead us in prayer.
0:56Thank you for being here, family,
0:57friends. It is amazing day to celebrate
1:00our graduates here.
1:02Genesis, I love that name. That is the
1:04beginning. In the beginning, God created
1:07everything. And I love that name. I
1:08think that's very fitting for her.
1:10David, another amazing name, a warrior,
1:13but also a poet. I love that. He has
1:16that name. He bears that name. And we
1:18have seen already so many great things
1:20for them. And I know that God has in
1:22store for them so many great things in
1:23the future. We will pray.
1:25And then after that, we will also say
1:27the Pledge of Allegiance. But first, to
1:29begin this awesome ceremony, we will
1:31pray and to bring God in between us.
1:34God, thank you for these moments that
1:35you give us because these are the steps
1:37that you've ordered for these two
1:39a man and young woman, throughout their
1:42years, their academic years, God, and
1:44throughout their rearing, oh God, you
1:46have been with them. This is a moment
1:48that will go down in history, today, but
1:50tomorrow starts a new phase, a new time,
1:52a new chapter that we will still be with
1:54them, God. You will be with them. This
1:57is their family, their friends, their
1:58church will be supporting them, always.
2:01We thank you up to this moment, you've
2:03lived up to your promise, and I know
2:05that you will live up to the promise yet
2:07still. I pray for Genesis, God.
2:09Thank you for her, and thank you for
2:11David. Thank you for both of them, and
2:13thank you for their families. And in the
2:14name of Jesus, assert anybody heard
2:17anybody's name called out except for
2:21their loved one. There were so many, and
2:23they moved so fast. When I graduated
2:26from college, it was a huge ceremony,
2:29and I would say probably 1/5 of those
2:32people did not even show up, and that's
2:35why they have you fill out a little
2:36card, and then you go through, and they
2:38read your name, and often times don't
2:40even pronounce it correctly, and then
2:42they give you a blank diploma because
2:45they don't know who's going to be there
2:47and who's not going to be there. So,
2:49those are still wonderful ceremonies.
2:52However,
2:53this is a very special ceremony because
2:57every one of us are going to be focused
3:00on these two graduates.
3:03This is a big moment in the lives of two
3:08very important students,
3:10soon to be graduates of Cooper City
3:13Christian Academy.
3:15One of the great blessings about being
3:17in a smaller school is that we can give
3:22individualized instruction.
3:25We can focus in on individualized
3:29spiritual growth.
3:31We can have many conferences and
3:34meetings and times of encouragement. In
3:38most schools, that's probably very rare
3:42that an administrator would be able to
3:44sit down and speak with a student. Or
3:48that
3:50a teacher would take the time to connect
3:53with the student.
3:55It's a big group and everything moves
3:57quickly and you have a class of 25 or 30
4:00that comes in, then leaves, another big
4:02class, and then you've got hundreds, if
4:05not thousands, in the hallways and it's
4:07just day after day of that routine.
4:09Here,
4:11it's much different.
4:13And we've had a chance to really connect
4:15with two outstanding young people.
4:20Two young people who love the Lord, a
4:22young man and a young lady who have a
4:25relationship with God,
4:27who have character qualities that are
4:29being developed and you can see the
4:32growth.
4:33Two
4:34young people, young adults now, who are
4:38preparing themselves and we have some
4:41very good things to say about each one
4:43of them and there's much to say. And we
4:45know them personally, so when we're
4:47saying these things, we're not just
4:50reading off of a script without any
4:53personal knowledge or experience, but we
4:56know them personally and the things that
4:58we are saying, we say with conviction
5:02because we believe it, we've seen it,
5:04we've been a part of it. And so we're
5:07very, very proud of both of these young
5:10adults.
5:13Ms. Annette Vitalis is another one of
5:15our administrators. She serves as the
5:18academic services administrator, so
5:21she's very much involved with all of
5:24their academic growth and any plans that
5:28they have, guidance counseling, and she
5:31knows these students as well as anybody.
5:34And she is going to come and she is
5:36going to share some highlights. And so
5:38we'll we'll focus in on each one. And we
5:41also have a video presentation that will
5:43give you an idea of these students and a
5:47little of their history and how they got
5:50to where they are today. So we're going
5:51to start off with Genesis and we have a
5:55video presentation about her followed by
5:58Ms. Vitalis.
7:17Um
7:27Logras todas tus metas.
8:33Love you, Genesis.
9:14Love you. Love you, too.
9:26>> Today we celebrate a young woman who has
9:29quietly and faithfully made an impact
9:31throughout her years at CCCA.
9:34Genesis began her journey at CCCA in the
9:38ninth grade and throughout her high
9:40school years, she has demonstrated
9:42servant leadership, dedication, and a
9:45willingness to help whenever needed.
9:48Genesis, a member of the La Roca Church,
9:52has faithfully served in youth
9:54ministries, ushering, kids church,
9:57media, and consistently has been
9:59involved in both her church and school
10:01community.
10:03She has also contributed to the school
10:06yearbook through editing, fundraising,
10:09food sales at the church. Her heart for
10:11helping others was especially evident
10:15through her work as a teacher's aid
10:17throughout Sorry, through tutoring first
10:20grade reading during her senior year.
10:24Genesis has demonstrated quiet strength,
10:27determination, steady perseverance,
10:30and while she may not always be the
10:32loudest person in the room, her actions
10:35consistently reflect dedication,
10:38faithfulness, and strong work ethic.
10:41Genesis will earn both the outstanding
10:44effort award in 2026 and a recognition
10:47for great improvement.
10:49Accomplishments that reflect her
10:52willingness to grow, work hard, and
10:55continue pushing forward even when
10:57challenges arose.
11:00As she prepares to attend Broward
11:02College and pursue a future in forensic
11:05pathology, Genesis will leaves behind a
11:08legacy of kindness, service, and
11:10perseverance. Her journey here at CCCA
11:13reminds us that learning extends far
11:16beyond the classroom.
11:19It continues through service, growth
11:21through experience, and through the
11:23willingness to pursue excellence.
11:26Genesis,
11:28graduation is not the end of your story.
11:30It is the beginning of a new season
11:33filled with opportunity, growth, and
11:35purpose. The lessons you have learned,
11:38the challenges you've overcome, the
11:40quiet determination that you have shown
11:43throughout your years will continue to
11:45shape the woman you are becoming.
11:49Your journey has been marked not only by
11:51great improvement, outstanding effort,
11:54but by perseverance, faithfulness, and a
11:57servant's heart. Continue to walk
11:59confidently
12:01in the purpose God has for your life.
12:03Remain grounded in your faith
12:06and never underestimate the power of
12:08your strength.
12:09We know that that same drive that
12:12carried you through high school will
12:14continue to open doors and lead you
12:16toward a bright future. We are proud of
12:19the woman you have become. We pray that
12:21God continues to guide your steps,
12:24strengthen your faith, and open doors in
12:26your future. Congratulations.
12:42Genesis, we're very proud of you
12:44and we are so thankful that you have
12:49that spirit within you that says, "I
12:52will not quit."
12:54And when she went through some health
12:55problems the last couple of years, um
12:58she had a mountain to climb
13:01to make up some credits and complete
13:04some work.
13:05I don't know if I've ever had a student
13:08in all my years as a principal, and it's
13:1146 years now. It's a long time, but in
13:1446 years I don't think I've ever seen a
13:17student take on the challenge and
13:21complete it and conquer it like Genesis
13:24did this school year. Genesis, I was
13:28amazed at what you've been able to
13:30accomplish and that drive is going to
13:33take you many places to do marvelous
13:36things in the kingdom of God. We so
13:39appreciate you, so proud of you. Thank
13:42you for your efforts this year, for your
13:45beautiful Christian spirit, your
13:47wonderful love for other students. We
13:49are very, very proud of you.
13:52The next student who we are going to be
13:55focused on right now is David Realis.
13:59David came to us a few years ago and we
14:02are very thankful that he has been a
14:04part of Cooper City Christian Academy.
14:07Miss Vitalis is now going to share some
14:10of
14:11the
14:13parts of his life,
14:15but first we're going to have the video
14:17presentation so you can see the history
14:21of David and some of his family and some
14:24of the memories.
14:29Remember 24.
14:38And we were back
14:39in Chicago.
14:44Another legend of me.
14:47I was in LA.
14:50I went good back
14:51to the
14:53end of beginning.
15:01The song has started now
15:04and you're just finding
15:06out.
16:13>> [singing]
16:50>> Throughout his high school years, David
16:51distinguished himself academically,
16:54spiritually, and as a servant leader.
16:57He's earned the Christian Character
16:59Award in 2025 and was recognized as
17:02student of the month numerous times.
17:04He received the Step Up um
17:08the Step Up award
17:10um where he was recognized as one of our
17:12rising seniors.
17:14He also achieved principal's honor roll
17:16all three years, ultimately graduating
17:18as a class valedictorian.
17:21David also served a title or an award,
17:23but in his consistency.
17:25Whether serving in ministry, supporting
17:28events, or participating in school
17:30activities, David shows that leadership
17:33is often displayed through faithfulness
17:35in the small things.
17:37As David prepares to attend Broward
17:39College to pursue a degree in
17:41respiratory therapy and eventually
17:44become a certified anesthesiologist
17:47assistant, we recognize the hard work
17:49and determination that brought him to
17:51his moment to this moment.
17:54His future career path reflects
17:56responsibility and discipline.
17:59David, graduation is not the finish
18:02line, but also the beginning of a new
18:04chapter for you as well.
18:06The lessons you've learned, the
18:07friendships you've built, and the
18:09experiences you've gained here at CCCA
18:12will continue to shape you into the man
18:14that you are becoming. Continue to
18:17pursue excellence, remain grounded in
18:20your faith, and never underestimate the
18:22impact of your character and
18:24consistency. Congratulations, David. We
18:27are proud of your many accomplishments.
18:37This is the part of the ceremony that
18:40these two
18:41graduating seniors probably dread the
18:44most. And that is to give a speech.
18:48But they are both um very good students
18:53and they're not experienced speakers
18:56yet, but this will be some of the early
18:59stages of their speaking engagements in
19:03the future. What I appreciate about both
19:05of them is that they're involved in a
19:08church and you see can see the list of
19:11things that they're involved with. And
19:14Genesis has a lot of involvement in her
19:16church. David is starting to get
19:18involved here. It wasn't that long ago
19:21when David was baptized in the name of
19:24Jesus Christ right up here and I know
19:27that because I did it. As associate
19:30pastor here, I was involved in his
19:33baptism and when he came up out of the
19:35water, God filled him with the gift of
19:38the Holy Ghost and he began to speak
19:40with other tongues as the Spirit gave
19:42the utterance. So, we have two
19:45powerful Christians. We have two who
19:50have helped out in classrooms helping
19:52other students.
19:54Two godly young people whose lives
19:58exemplify Christ. And two who right now
20:03are going to give their speeches.
20:05Genesis, come and share with us what is
20:08on your heart.
20:17Good morning. Good afternoon.
20:19Um today's an important day.
20:22Today's our graduate.
20:24The Lord has a plan.
20:27He always had a plan.
20:29For us, he gave us the willpower to
20:32accomplish those plans and he will
20:34protect us through the journey of those
20:36plans.
20:37Tr- Trials and tribulations are normal
20:40when you're going through that.
20:43They are a part of being a Christian.
20:46So, are you willing? Are you willing
20:48enough to follow those plans?
20:51Cuz I I'm ready for that fire.
20:55And this is why I'm certain that this
20:56day for me is marking a new future
21:00for me and my family and my family's
21:02generation.
21:04Today I will break chains. Today I will
21:07move forth.
21:08I am thankful for the people that he has
21:11allowed to me to meet in throughout my
21:14my my life.
21:16Um to the teachers and to the staff of
21:19this school, I'm thankful for meeting
21:21every one of you personally
21:24and I'm thankful for your the stage of
21:26an incredible milestone, difficult to
21:28achieve, but yet deeply rewarding.
21:31My time is not only forged by academic
21:33achievements, but by by mentorship,
21:35friendships, and opportunities that
21:36brought me growth.
21:38I'm honored as Daniel as valedictorian.
21:40And yes, before anyone asks, my chances
21:43were pretty good.
21:45Although our graduating class became
21:47smaller over time, I truly believe every
21:50person was once part of this journey and
21:52that they challenged me to go beyond my
21:54limits and become who I am today.
21:56It's been such a privilege to be a part
21:58of this school and this church.
22:00When I first arrived here, I assumed it
22:02would just be another Christian school
22:03experience for me and instead it became
22:06a community that helped shape my faith
22:08character, and my future.
22:10With only attending this school for 3
22:12years, I felt like I accomplished a
22:13lifetime's worth of growth. It wasn't
22:16only about getting the a diploma, but
22:18becoming the person God wants me to be
22:20through this journey.
22:21The truth is every one of us has a path
22:24filled with uncertainty and purpose, yet
22:27God always finds a way to lead us
22:29forward.
22:30High school has taught has always taught
22:32me to to keep my head up because tough
22:34moments don't last. Growth does.
22:37I had late nights and early mornings
22:39where I would work work on three
22:41assignments and then wake up with four
22:43tests in back-to-back periods.
22:45Those days were a hard session where my
22:47strength was tested and honestly I
22:49thought it'd be impossible to break
22:51through.
22:52With support from my classmates grades
22:54above and below me, we lifted each other
22:57up during these difficult moments.
22:59The bonds we created together have made
23:01moments into memories that go beyond the
23:03classroom setting.
23:05Being a teacher aide on the field and in
23:07the classroom has given me real world
23:09lessons that I'll carry on the days to
23:12come.
23:13Working with kids taught me leadership,
23:16patience, but most importantly it taught
23:18me that kids can somehow lose their
23:20jacket, a water bottle, and a pencil all
23:23within the same hour.
23:26But in those moments of chaos I was only
23:28able to lead them the way I was led
23:29here.
23:31And to our teachers who pushed us to aim
23:33for excellence even when we felt like
23:35settling, your wisdom, strength, and
23:37Christ-centered character have provided
23:39a stronghold of encouragement that sets
23:42this school apart from any other place.
23:45To our family To our families, your
23:47steadfast support and sacrifices are the
23:50rolling stone to success and and are
23:52what make days like this possible.
23:55And to Genesis and the Ramos family,
23:58thank you for opening your doors and for
24:00all the memories we made outside the
24:01classroom. You and your family have
24:03shown kindness time after time proving
24:06where your hearts lie.
24:08From the birthday parties to just
24:09hanging out, these 3 years felt more
24:11than just school.
24:13To my parents,
24:15and I hope I don't butcher this. Mommy,
24:17Papi,
24:32I want to thank Pastor for um
24:35being so welcoming to me and my family
24:37filled with such a joyful spirit. I can
24:39say he's truly one of one of one.
24:43I also want to thank brother Nate
24:45for your leadership, your prayers, and
24:48for growing my faith by always pointing
24:50me back to God.
24:51As we enter this new season, let's go
24:53forward boldly, faithfully, and
24:56let us embark on this greater chapter
24:58ahead of us, and let us be bold to our
25:01aspirations. Our world needs bright and
25:03resilient minds to follow through what
25:05God has in store for us.
25:07Be curious, be courageous, and most
25:09importantly, set a set a strong
25:11foundation for future generations.
25:14In closing, I'm reminded that this
25:16moment is not ending, it's just the
25:18beginning.
25:19Congratulations to the class of 2026 for
25:22the achievements we have made, but for
25:23the purpose God has placed before us.
25:26Let's lead with the same faith that
25:27brought us here, and the same courage
25:29that met us through those late nights.
25:32May we always use our God-given talents
25:33to serve others, glorify him, and face
25:36every obstacle with courage and
25:38strength.
25:39As we step to this next chapter, let us
25:41go out and be the salt and light of this
25:43world.
25:44Thank you, and God bless you all.
25:53Thank you, David.
26:00Now, we're to the part of our ceremony
26:03that
26:04um I think is one of the most important
26:06parts.
26:08And that is the commencement address.
26:11Believe it or not, when I graduate from
26:13high school many, many moons ago,
26:16uh we had a speaker
26:18who was a very successful businessman in
26:21Northwest Ohio.
26:23And he gave the commencement address.
26:27And all these years later, I still
26:30remember one of the main points that he
26:32made.
26:34And that main point
26:36is a part of the way that I think every
26:39single day.
26:41I wasn't even that focused on speeches.
26:44I didn't really feel like being there in
26:46that graduation ceremony, but that man,
26:50who I don't think was necessarily an
26:51outstanding speaker like the man who'll
26:53be coming to this pulpit, but yet
26:56something he said has stuck with me all
26:59of these years.
27:00What he said was,
27:03"Men, if you are wanting to do what
27:06makes you happy, and you're looking to
27:08find that thing that you really love,
27:11and and you are hoping that you can do
27:15what you like,
27:17and do what you love." He said, "But I'm
27:19going to tell you this,
27:21more of life is made up of
27:23doing things you don't like, and you
27:26don't feel like doing.
27:28More of life is made up of that. So, you
27:31better learn to like that, and you
27:34better learn to love that, because
27:37there's more of life that is made up of
27:40that than the other."
27:42And I thought about that, because I
27:44wanted to be happy, and I wanted to just
27:47do things that I felt like doing, and I
27:49was in that era where we were hearing
27:52saying, "Do what you want. Be yourself.
27:57Do Do what makes you happy.
28:00Do your own thing."
28:03And that day, a new thought came into my
28:05mind.
28:06Yeah, we can follow that dream, but I
28:09better learn
28:11how to do the things I don't like on the
28:13way
28:14to the
28:16accomplishment of doing all the things
28:17that I do like.
28:19Well today
28:21I'm going to tell you about our speaker.
28:24I've got a picture of him right here.
28:28When I first came to the Lord while I
28:29was in college,
28:31One of the first missionaries who came
28:33through our local church up in Northwest
28:36Ohio
28:37was the Hadaba family.
28:40There's a picture of
28:43John Hadaba, sometimes known as Papa,
28:46Papa John.
28:48And sister Hadaba and three boys.
28:52And one of those boys
28:56is the speaker today.
28:58Little did I know many years ago
29:0250
29:04one years ago
29:05that I had met my future pastor.
29:11As he was there with his family at our
29:14local church doing a missions
29:16conference.
29:18And when the Lord called us to come down
29:20here 11 years ago and be a part of
29:23Cooper City Christian Academy and the
29:25Pentecostals
29:27I was going through a lot of things,
29:29throwing things out. I had been in one
29:31office for 35 years. And I'm going
29:34through my office and cleaning it out
29:36and preparing for the next principal.
29:39And I came across this bookmark. I
29:41looked at it and I said, "Whoa.
29:45That's my pastor."
29:47And so here we are today many years
29:49later. And the man who's coming to this
29:51pulpit is somebody who has been a friend
29:55to Christian education.
29:58He has been a leader.
29:59He has been a servant of the Lord. He
30:02has been senior pastor at the
30:03Pentecostal since 1997.
30:07He's a firm believer in the power of
30:09Christian education.
30:11As founder of South Florida Bible
30:13Institute and one of the main
30:15instructors
30:16and also serving as the founder and
30:18president of Cooper City Christian
30:20Academy, which started 2002.
30:24It was more of a home school co-op and
30:26then it grew into a school, and it has
30:28continued to grow, and the Lord has
30:30given us so many
30:32wonderful instructors and administrators
30:36over the years, and it is my joy to work
30:39side by side with them.
30:42He has a deep commitment to theological
30:44excellence. I'm always amazed at his
30:47preaching and teaching. His messages on
30:50a Sunday morning will not only be
30:52evangelistic reaching for the lost who
30:56may be in our congregation, which we
30:58have so many visitors every Sunday, but
31:02he is always instructing, and he's
31:04instructing at the primary levels, but
31:07also on the higher levels. So, it's kind
31:10of like you get a 101 class and a 410
31:13class in the same sermon.
31:17He preaches the word. He preaches
31:20Christ. He has served outside of the
31:24local church
31:25on the global missions board of the
31:27United Pentecostal Church International.
31:30He's been a presbyter in the South
31:32Florida District. He also has a heart
31:35for our community, and he has served as
31:37a chaplain with the police, the fire,
31:39and the FBI.
31:41His wife, Sister Esther Hadab is such a
31:45wonderful godly woman and leader in our
31:48church, and their son, Mark II,
31:51is in ministry right now. He's in Texas,
31:54but he also has served here, and he was
31:57working in our Christian school. I know
32:00that you'll be blessed by his ministry
32:02today, and Pastor Hadab, I ask that you
32:06could speak some in Spanish. It's okay
32:10if you do that. I know it's all going to
32:12be good, even if the best thing I can
32:14say is, "Amen!" And if that's all I can
32:17do, and "Gloria a Dios!", I will do
32:19that, but you can Some of the gradu-
32:22Some of the graduations are when they
32:24have a hundreds and hundreds
32:26of students, and here
32:28the graduates are sitting right next to
32:31us on the platform.
32:33And I think that shows the level of our
32:35support and honor and how proud we are
32:38of you.
32:52You both arrived at our school
32:55just a few years ago. David arrived 3
32:57years ago, and Genesis arrived 4 years
32:59ago.
33:01And how we have become family.
33:07And as you step into that future, I want
33:10to leave you with the powerful words of
33:12the Apostle Paul.
33:15I know this verse is often quoted during
33:17victories or after champ- victories or
33:19after championships or accomplishments
33:21or successes, but Paul did not write
33:24these words from a place of comfort or
33:26ease. He wrote them while he himself was
33:28enduring hardship, uncertainty, and
33:30limitation.
33:32But he learned that true strength
33:33doesn't come from popularity or talent
33:36or confidence in ourself,
33:38but he found his strength in the Lord
33:40Jesus Christ.
34:13If Paul can do that
34:15when he's in his lowest time, we think
34:17he's writing this from the mountain top,
34:19but he's writing it from the from a low
34:21time, and all of a sudden he's able to
34:23grab strength. Christ, you can rise
34:25after failure, and through Christ you
34:27can become the person that God created
34:29you to be.
34:31So, Genesis and David,
34:33your education at Cooper City Christian
34:36Academy has given you more than academic
34:39preparation.
34:41It's given you a foundation that is
34:43rooted in faith.
34:45Because your teachers did more than
34:46prepare you for test,
34:49they invested in your character.
34:51Your parents and families prayed for
34:53you. They sacrificed, and they believed
34:56in you.
34:57We never take that for granted. And as
34:59you leave Cooper City Christian Academy,
35:03you're going to go to college, you into
35:04careers, new adventures that you can't
35:06even imagine.
35:08Your paths may look different, but your
35:10calling is the same.
35:11Honor the Lord Jesus Christ wherever you
35:15go, and he will help you.
35:18Be the student that chooses honesty.
35:21Be the employee that works with
35:23excellence.
35:24Be the friend that brings encouragement.
35:27Be the leader who serves others, and be
35:29the person whose faith is visible not
35:31only in words,
35:33but also in actions.
35:35The people the world people don't do not
35:38need more people chasing fame, they need
35:40people that are reflecting the Lord
35:41Jesus Christ.
35:43But today
35:45is more than a graduation ceremony.
35:47It's more than caps and gowns and
35:50photographs and diplomas.
35:52Today is a launching.
35:54We're not simply celebrating
35:56what you have accomplished,
35:58but we're celebrating what God is still
36:00going to do through you in your future.
36:03And you got to face challenges that seem
36:04insurmountable. Yes, you're going to
36:06face more tests
36:08that seem impossible. You may face
36:09difficulties in life that will seem
36:11unbearable, but I'm here to just give
36:13you a little word to remind you, I can
36:16do all things through Christ who
36:19strengthens me.
36:36The words of the psalmist David in
36:38Psalms 121, he said, I will lift up mine
36:41eyes unto the hills.
36:43From whence cometh my help? My help
36:46comes from the Lord who made the heavens
36:48and the earth. You're going to be
36:51looking up many things. You're going to
36:53be doing a lot of research.
36:55And I'm telling you, never Brother
36:57Bussell can attest to this, Dr. Bussell
37:00and all of our teachers here, never has
37:02there been so much information available
37:05to us so quickly. Right now, we got
37:07information at our fingertips.
37:10But when you don't know where to look
37:12and you don't know what you're finding
37:14or where to go,
37:15remember to look up.
37:17When you need help, look up. My help
37:20comes from the Lord, and that's when you
37:22know where to look. He's coming up.
37:25And so, you may not know exactly what
37:27your future holds.
37:29You may not know where you'll live, who
37:30you'll marry, what career you're going
37:32to pursue exactly. I know we've got some
37:34ideas but
37:35who knows? You don't know the challenges
37:38you're going to face, but faith is not
37:39about having the whole map.
37:42Faith is about trusting the one who has
37:45the map.
37:46And every time you take another faithful
37:48step,
37:50he's going to take some straight steps
37:52with you.
37:53And that's what Paul understood when he
37:54wrote, I can do all things through
37:56Christ who strengthens not because he
37:58knew everything ahead,
38:00but because he knew who's walking beside
38:02him.
38:03And so, today as the class of 2026,
38:06Brother David and sister Genesis. You've
38:08uniquely gifted each of you. God has put
38:11a lot of things in you.
38:13And who knows at all that God has in
38:15store for you? Because whatever your
38:17calling becomes, never forget your
38:19source of strength. When you're
38:20uncertain,
38:21lean on Christ. When you're afraid,
38:24trust Christ. When you can succeed,
38:27thank Christ. When you fail, return to
38:31Christ.
38:32Because the same God that
38:34was able to guide you this far,
38:36will continue guiding you along the way.
38:39I know that in education,
38:42we have
38:43the idea
38:45that we're preparing you, but school was
38:46never meant to teach you everything that
38:48you need to know.
38:50It merely equips you to find what you
38:52need to know.
38:54Education is meant to give you the tools
38:56that you need to dig out
38:58the future treasures of life, and
39:00you still got to do the digging.
39:02That's why
39:04as we stand here today,
39:06we realize, and it's already been said,
39:08it's not the ending,
39:10it's the beginning, and that's why we
39:11call graduation commencement.
39:15Commence means to begin, and the only
39:17thing you finished is getting waited
39:19from pre-adolescence and successfully
39:21navigated your teen years, and now you
39:24are graduating from high school.
39:26And you're going to travel the road
39:29to adulthood.
39:31So, how can your success be assured?
39:34I'll tell you what Isaiah 41 and 10
39:36says.
39:37Fear thou not,
39:39for I am with thee.
39:40Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I
39:42will strengthen you, yea, I will help
39:45you. I will uphold you with the right
39:47hand of my righteousness.
39:50So, today, David and Genesis, this is
39:52not the end of your story.
39:58It's the beginning of a new chapter. Un
40:00capítulo nuevo que se está abriendo.
40:02So, today I want to challenge you to
40:04dream boldly,
40:06serve faithfully,
40:07love generously,
40:09and stand courageously.
40:12Corrie ten Boom said,
40:14"Never be afraid to trust an unknown
40:16future
40:17to a unknown God."
40:20And so, you're not called today
40:22to blend into the culture.
40:24You're called to impact the culture.
40:27Jesus didn't say under underestimate
40:29what God can do through one surrendered
40:31life.
40:33David
40:34defeated a giant. It was one Esther that
40:37saved a nation. It was one Daniel that
40:40influenced the kingdom. And it was only
40:4212 disciples that shook the
40:45then known world.
40:47Today, as you are here,
40:49you carry truth,
40:51you carry hope, you carry the gospel of
40:54Jesus Christ, you carry the name of
40:55Jesus Christ.
40:57And so, you are not just graduating,
40:59receiving diplomas,
41:02you are a generation being released into
41:05the world with purpose and truth and the
41:07power of God in your life. In a world
41:09that is filled with confusion,
41:11compromise, and darkness,
41:13God's called you to be different.
41:17He chose you to sign shine, and he chose
41:19you to lead, and he chose you to make a
41:20difference, and therefore,
41:23you've been taught more than academics.
41:25You've been taught the truth.
41:28Never estimate what's been planted
41:29inside of you. The values, the prayers,
41:32the biblical principles that have been
41:33poured into your life, preparing you for
41:35moments that are far greater than you
41:37presently can even grasp or imagine.
41:41So, don't allow this generation to
41:42define you.
41:44Let the word of God and the purpose of
41:46God and the will of God define you.
41:50Maybe I say it this way, don't chase
41:52popularity, chase purpose.
41:56Don't seek applause.
41:57Seek anointing.
41:59Don't merely make a living, make a life,
42:03and make an eternal impact.
42:06And so, there's moments
42:08that is going to cost you
42:11something to stand. Stand anyways.
42:14There'll be times when culture and
42:15pressure
42:16wants you to compromise. Refuse anyways.
42:20There'll be seasons when the road feels
42:22lonely. Keep walking anyways, because
42:25one person surrendered to God can change
42:28a family.
42:30And one family can change a community.
42:33And one community can change a city.
42:36And one generation fully yielded to God
42:39can change the world.
42:42And I'm saying you are that generation.
42:45If you keep God first, there's no limit
42:47to what he can do through your life.
42:50We're going to go forward with vision,
42:52with fire of the spirit, with faith in
42:55your heart. Be the voices of truth in
42:57the world of deception.
42:59Be peacemakers in a world that's
43:01divided.
43:04Don't just simply exist in this
43:05generation, but transform it.
43:08And as you step into this next chapter,
43:10don't forget
43:12you were born for more than just
43:14success. You were born for kingdom
43:15purpose.
43:17And to the class of 2026,
43:20Brother David and Sister Genesis, may
43:23you always remember
43:25you can do
43:27all things through Christ who
43:31strengthens you.
43:41Congratulations, graduates. We're proud
43:44of you. We're praying for you. We can't
43:47wait to see what God's going to do in
43:48your life. And we're going to champion
43:50you every step of the way and celebrate
43:53the great things God has in store for
43:56you. Would you all give our graduates a
43:58great round of applause today?
44:01Congratulations.
44:08Thank you, Pastor Hadaba.
44:11And also,
44:12although he did not know it,
44:14uh we were
44:16um considering Pastor Crosley
44:20uh to be our speaker and then we found
44:22out that he was going to be speaking at
44:24Touch the Future and that he was one of
44:27the last speakers. And so, um
44:30we had these two great men and Pastor
44:33Hadaba was the one who God had chosen
44:36for this moment because Pastor Crosley
44:39was chosen for another moment. And uh
44:42but we appreciate both of the pastors of
44:45these graduates. And we know that these
44:49young adults are in good hands
44:53spiritually
44:54with their churches,
44:56with their families, their pastors, and
44:59the Lord has allowed them to have a
45:02great cloud of witnesses around them.
45:05And we are part of that team as Cooper
45:08City Christian Academy. And you will
45:10always know that we're going to be
45:13cheering you on. When you leave here,
45:16this will always be your home. And you
45:20can come back. In fact, we have had
45:22graduates come back and be teachers
45:25here. And some of them are sitting right
45:27here uh today in this ceremony. But
45:30we're thrilled with whatever direction
45:32the Lord would take you, whatever the
45:35plan is,
45:36wherever he would lead you, wherever you
45:39would live,
45:41understand this, that you belong to
45:43Jesus Christ and you have his spirit
45:46living in you, you have his blood
45:49covering you, and he is going to use you
45:52to take this gospel to all the world,
45:55and we're going to cheer every time that
45:57you make another
45:59step into his perfect will. So, God
46:02bless you, and thank you, Pastor Hataba,
46:05for that marvelous message today, and I
46:08was blessed by it. I was blessed by
46:11everything I heard in English and
46:12everything I heard in Spanish that I did
46:14not understand. I was blessed by it all,
46:17and so we're very thankful. This is the
46:20moment that they have been waiting for,
46:22the moment where they receive their high
46:24school diplomas. We also have a gift for
46:27them.
46:28It's a book by one of the greatest
46:31writers on leadership in the world, John
46:34C. Maxwell, and the book is called
46:36Developing the Leader Within You, and we
46:39want to present that along with the
46:42diplomas
46:44um to these graduates.
46:48Because Cooper City Christian Academy
46:51is approved by the state of Florida
46:55Department of Education, we are also
46:58accredited by Florida Coalition of
47:00Christian Private Schools Accreditation,
47:04in addition to Cognia Accreditation, in
47:07addition to the National Council for
47:10Private School Accreditation,
47:13and most of all, we are approved by God.
47:16We are going to
47:19award these diplomas to the following
47:22students.
47:25Would the graduating class please stand?
47:28And would our administrators on the
47:30platform please come and line up here.
47:36Also,
47:38um
47:40Mrs. Pantaleon, if you would come up and
47:43Miss Juanita, if you would come up and
47:45join us up here on the platform. These
47:47are other administrators in our school
47:52and doing things all the time to make
47:55our school a great school.
47:57We want them to congratulate
47:59these graduates.
48:04Miss Pantaleon just got back from Touch
48:06the Future
48:07and now she's touching the present uh
48:10here
48:13at this ceremony.
48:18Cooper City Christian Academy
48:20certifies that Genesis Abigail Ramos has
48:25satisfactorily completed
48:27the necessary requirements of study as
48:30prescribed by the by school
48:32administrators in accordance with the
48:34regulations of the state of Florida and
48:37is thereby presented with this high
48:39school diploma and is entitled to all
48:42the rights and privileges pertaining
48:44thereto dated the 16th day of May 2026.
48:50Genesis Ramos.
49:24Cooper City Christian Academy certifies
49:27that David Santiago Reales
49:31has satisfactorily completed the
49:33necessary requirements of study as
49:36prescribed by school administrators in
49:38accordance with the regulations of the
49:40state of Florida and is thereby
49:42presented with this high school diploma
49:45and is entitled to all the rights and
49:46privileges pertaining thereto dated the
49:4916th day of May 2026.
49:53David Reales.
50:11And now Pastor Hadaba
50:13is going to perform the tassel ceremony.
50:23Graduating class,
50:25it's a long-standing tradition that
50:26after receiving your diploma,
50:29your tassel it'll be shifted from the
50:31left side of the cap signifying the
50:34completion of your high school course of
50:36study.
50:38If you don't remember what side your
50:39tassel goes on, it goes over your heart
50:42from the right to the left to remind you
50:45of your alma mater.
50:47And so now by the power invested in me
50:49as the president of Cooper City
50:51Christian Academy,
50:52I confer this graduating class of 2026.
50:57Graduates, please move your tassels from
50:59right to left.
51:03Congratulations class of 2026.
51:17And now we're going to spend just a
51:18couple of minutes taking pictures
51:20because once we dismiss, it's going to
51:23be hard to pull everybody back together.
51:25So, we're going to take just a couple of
51:27minutes to take some pictures. Then
51:29we're going to have a final prayer over
51:31these graduates and then we'll give you
51:34a chance to congratulate them. So right
51:36now, Justin, if you would be prepared to
51:39take pictures and we'll get everybody
51:41graduates, would you come right to the
51:42middle?
52:13And then of course we'll give you a
52:14chance to get pictures with family
52:17afterwards.
52:34I see other of our faculty here. We want
52:37you to also come up. Doesn't matter what
52:39grade, please come up.
52:46Mrs. Trzenski, come on up.
52:49Miss Diana.
52:52Miss Jessie.
52:54Miss Smith.
52:55Miss Marjorie.
52:58Miss Garcia.
53:00Mrs. Wilson.
53:03Am I missing anybody?
53:05I think we have everyone. Come on up and
53:07get on both sides.
53:11Squeeze in somewhere.
53:14Don't get behind anybody. We want to be
53:16able to see all your faces.
53:18Okay, everybody's over here. I guess I
53:20go on the other side.
53:22Take my wife with me. She goes with me
53:23wherever I go.
53:26All right.
53:47Wait. I think somebody wants to get a
53:49picture. Stay.
54:03All right. I think we have everybody.
54:05Now,
54:06graduates, would you please come center
54:09here?
54:11Right here.
54:12And then all of our ministers,
54:16our administrators who are disappearing
54:18off the platform, come around. We're
54:20going to lay hands on them and we're
54:22going to pray for our graduates right
54:25now. And
54:27the executive pastor of the Pentecostals
54:30and also school director,
54:32Pastor Paul Volland, is going to pray a
54:35graduation prayer and a commencement
54:38into the future prayer for these
54:40graduates.
54:43What a blessing today is. It's so good
54:45to be with all of you, Genesis
54:48and David. Congratulations again to the
54:50Ramos family, to the Reales family. We
54:52know that this day is the culmination of
54:55many years of prayer and effort and work
54:57and support from you. We're so grateful
54:59to partner with you. We know fully that
55:01you are the primary influencers. But
55:03thank you for the privilege to come
55:04alongside and to work with your
55:07families. We are grateful for that.
55:08Would you all pray with me today?
55:11Heavenly Father,
55:13today we thank you for Genesis and for
55:15David. We thank you for this journey
55:19that brought them to this moment, Lord.
55:21We thank you for every family member,
55:22every friend, every loved one, every
55:24teacher, every administrator, every
55:27pastor who has loved them, cared for
55:30them, prayed for them, invested in them,
55:32given to them. God, we thank you for
55:34them. God, we thank you for the lessons
55:36that they both learned. God, we thank
55:38you for the friendships that they've
55:40made. God, we thank you for every wise
55:43choice that they've made, the long hours
55:44of study, the challenges that they've
55:46overcome.
55:48God, and we thank you for the faith that
55:50was instilled in them and that was
55:52nurtured here at Cooper City Christian
55:54Academy. God, your word says in Proverbs
55:57chapter 3,
55:58"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
56:00and do not lean on your own
56:01understanding,
56:03and he will make straight your paths."
56:04God, today as we pray for Genesis and
56:07David, God, we ask that you would keep
56:09them and lead them and guide them into
56:11what's next. And as you do so, God, keep
56:13their paths straight toward the purpose
56:16that you have for their lives. God, we
56:18pray that they wouldn't simply chase
56:20success and wealth and worldly fame and
56:24acclaim. God, we pray that they would
56:26seek your will and your favor and to be
56:29pleasing to you above all other things.
56:33God, let them know forever that you have
56:34called them by name. God, that you have
56:36spoken clear identity over their lives.
56:39God, guard Genesis and David from
56:41drifting into a life of comfort without
56:45purpose, God. Give them courage to stand
56:48for truth. God, give them humility to
56:50continue to learn from this day forward.
56:53And God, give them faith to obey your
56:55voice when the path you've laid out
56:58before them seems uncertain and
57:00difficult. God, remind them that they
57:03are full of hope and purpose.
57:05And God, remind them that to whom much
57:07is given, much is required. God, let
57:09them carry both that promise and that
57:11responsibility well and with grace.
57:15God, we thank you that you've blessed
57:17them with Christian education, with
57:19biblical truth, God, with a foundation
57:21in your word, God, that you fill them
57:23with your spirit. And God, I pray that
57:25you would let them steward those gifts
57:27well into the future. God, may they love
57:30what is right.
57:31God, let them walk closely with you. And
57:34God, make their lives count for your
57:36kingdom. God, pour out your blessing and
57:39provision upon them. Withhold no good
57:41gift from them as they seek hard after
57:43you.
57:45And God, bring them through every
57:46difficult season that they face. Keep
57:48them, guide them, use them mightily for
57:50your kingdom. God, and for your glory.
57:53God, we thank you for Genesis and David.
57:56And for this great accomplishment that
57:58we've all gathered to celebrate together
58:00today. In Jesus' name, we give you all
58:02the glory and all the praise.
58:04Amen.
58:16Thank you, Pastor Volland. And now the
58:19graduates
58:21no longer seniors they're graduates.
58:24They are going to stand here, and we
58:27want their families to join them. And
58:30then we're going to give everybody else
58:31a chance to file past from this side,
58:34greeting David first, and then coming
58:36over and greeting Genesis.
58:39And
58:40it's wonderful to have these families
58:41here.
58:42And uh
58:44Mr. Realis, what a wonderful blessing
58:47that you are able to be here. Amen. The
58:51Lord spared his life in a terrible,
58:54terrible accident, and to have him here
58:56today is a real miracle. And so we are
58:59so thankful to the Lord and for all
59:02these families, their support. Uh one
59:04thing that you hear a lot around here is
59:07we are family, and it is really true.