That joyful noise emanating from Johnson C. Smith University?

It was the sound of 1,000 kids embracing the future.

Factually, it was the sound of 1,000 Freedom School students from 13 Charlotte-area sites gathering last Friday (July 10) for their annual Jubilee. But spiritually – and Freedom School’s strength springs from its soul – the singing, dancing and, yes, screaming delivered a far deeper message to all within earshot and heartshot.

It declared to the world that these kids, for all the challenges that they face, are preparing to build a better world for themselves and for us. It is in them to do this, if you and I will help to bring it out.

Myers Park United Methodist Church long ago gave its heart to this movement, whose roots spring from the Civil Rights Era’s crusade to empower African American children. For the third successive summer, we have opened up our Youth Building to 65 South Tryon kids who immerse themselves in reading, heritage, field trips and other activities. Amid the rainbow of brightly colored T shirts worn at JCSU by kids from different Freedom School sites, ours were the ones in bright green, dancing to the chant, “Read a book, hey, read a book…”

This is a substantial investment for our church – $50,000 per summer (plus a scrumptious breakfast whipped up each weekday by kitchen whiz Shebra Claypool and Co.), dozens of volunteers, and many hours of church and staff time. But the returns are obvious, and the obligation cannot be ignored: If the church won’t help children at risk, who will?

The sacred beauty of Freedom School is that once the fun and learning begin, these kids don’t act as if they are at risk. They act as if nothing can hold them back – that the world is ready and waiting for them to grow up and do glorious things in God’s name. At JCSU, for example, they marched for better health care, and to honor the sacrifices of those who marched for civil rights before they were born.

But it’s not the serious stuff I’ll take from the Jubilee at JCSU. It’s the sheer, electrifying energy that drove each song and dance – an energy that will carry these kids to a better world.

Better for them. Better for us.

“I love, I love, I love, I love my site,” they shrieked in unison from one side of Brayboy Gym.

Back came the unified shriek from the other side of the gym: “I love, I love, I love, I love Freedom School.”