Photos provided.
Early on Wed., Sept. 24, students across Oklahoma gathered at their school flag poles for fellowship, worship and prayer for the annual See You at the Pole (SYATP) event.
Millions of students across the United States and in 63 other countries have taken part in the annual event which began nearly 34 years ago. It started when a group of students, following a retreat weekend the year before, followed through on the conviction to pray. Soon, the word spread, and a world-wide movement began.
“There is great value in giving students opportunities to lead their peers in prayer and to gather in unity to call upon the power of Jesus,” said Cole Wheeler, youth minister at Pryor, Life Fellowship. “See You At The Pole empowers students to do that.”
Every year, students gather around flagpoles to pray for family, friends, schools, communities and more. They ask God to move in those places and for Christ to be known. Often, the movement doesn’t stop there. Many groups use the event as a springboard to host collective, area or community post-event rallies where students gather to celebrate, testify and share the Gospel.
“See You At The Pole is a valuable moment,” said one student. “I’ve seen the benefit of this by being able to watch like-minded peers come together and boldly proclaim their faith!”
These gatherings are not just opportunities for students to lead outward and for adult leaders to provide support, but also for those looking to see the faithfulness of students. It serves as a great picture for what disciple making looks like–empowering students to carry the light inside themselves to the outside world.
