God presides in the great assembly;
he renders judgment among the “gods”:
2 “How long will you[a] defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?[b]
3 Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked. – Psalm 82:1-4
Summer break is drawing near. Some schools are out in two weeks. Tonight, we thank those entities and organizations providing structure for our kids that may not have it otherwise. May they be places of growth and safety.
One example that has stood the test of time is The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis. Here is some info from their website:
When School is Out, The Clubs are In!
Every day, more than 1,400 Memphis kids make their way to one of ten Boys & Girls Clubs around the city. Once they step through the doors, our caring, professional adults engage each member in fun, learning enriched programs that help them achieve their full potential. We truly believe #GreatFutures Start here.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis serve:
- Any child from age 6-18. Membership costs $10 per year. No child is ever turned away
- Job-seeking students ages 16-24 through the Juice Plus+ Technical Training Center
- Our Clubs serve more than 4500 youth
Our Clubs are located in areas of the city that have high concentrations of “at-risk” kids. We have three clubs located within the 240 loop; Juice Plus+ Technical Training Center, located on Walker Ave. in South Memphis, Ira Samelson Club, located off Summer and Highland in the Grahamwood area and John Dustin Buckman Club, located in north Memphis off Vollintine. We also have three Clubs located outside the 240 loop; Oakhaven Club located in South Memphis off Airways and Tchulahoma, Bernal Smith Club located in the Hickory Hill neighborhood and Sycamore View Club, which is north east off Sycamore View Road. We also are fortunate to have Clubs located in school facilities at Promise Academy -Spring Hill, Promise Academy-Hollywood, Cummings Elementary and Craigmont High School.
The local organization has been around for 56 years and needs the community’s support. They provide positive experiences and pathways for our kids.
Tonight Lord, we lift up The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis. We pray that the facilities are ready for the activity of the summer. We pray for excited staff trained in raising up solid young people. We pray for CEO Keith Blanchard and his team, that they remain focused on the positive impact their work does in the community. We pray for the funders of the organization, that they bless the community and the participants through their giving and the opportunities coming from BGCM.
Lord, may parents be encouraged by the staff of these clubs. May children thrive in these settings. May the meals be nourishing. May friendships be made and life lessons be learned. Lord, bless those workers who seek to be a positive influence on children. We thank you for those giving of themselves to love on all of Your children.
In Christ’s name, amen.