WASHINGTON — Hundreds of churches, including several prominent megachurches, and 2.5 million individuals are expected to observe Blue Sunday, a day of prayer for abused and neglected children, this weekend.
Shepherding the Next Generation, a network of evangelical pastors and faith leaders, is partnering with the Blue Sunday organization to promote awareness and action on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of U.S. children who are abused and neglected each year.
“Children hold a special place in the Savior’s heart (Matthew 19) so doesn’t it stand to reason we should care deeply about them also?” said Pastor Steve Mays of the nearly 10,000-member Calvary Chapel Southbay in Los Angeles, and member of Shepherding the Next Generation.
“When God’s people are shown a need, the only appropriate response is to fill that need just as he would,” said Pastor Jay Dennis, senior pastor of 9,000-member First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, Fla.
Blue Sunday was founded more than 14 years ago by Janet Magee, a member of a local Texas church, who wanted the church to play an active role in addressing child abuse and neglect.
“When we have nowhere else to turn, these situations drive us to our knees,” said Magee. “It begins with prayer, and then action can take root.”
On the last Sunday in April, churches commit to pray for the victims and their rescuers. In 2011, an estimated 611,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect, and 1,570 died as a result.
“Pastors have unique insights in their congregations, and a strong sense of the challenges young parents and families are facing,” said Tom Pearce, the national director of Shepherding the Next Generation. “As members of Shepherding the Next Generation, they know that strategies to reduce child abuse and neglect are vital for setting children and their families on a healthy path.”
Pearce explained that proven strategies to prevent abuse and neglect include parent coaching, and encouraging mentoring and discipleship relationships within the church.
www.joinbluesunday.org
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less