Students circle the flagpole at Russellville High School on Wednesday, Sept. 27, for See You at the Pole. (Submitted)
Students across the state gathered for prayer at their schools’ flagpoles on Wednesday, Sept. 27, for See You at the Pole (SYATP).
The event is a national student-initiated, student organized, and student-led movement that encourages students to gather at their school flagpoles for prayer in the morning on the fourth Wednesday of September each year.
At Russellville High School, more than 80 students gathered outside the school for the event.
“What’s exciting about this year’s Russellville SYATP is that it is not just a one-day thing at RHS. For the past year, students have gathered every morning, either at the flagpole or in the library, to pray for their peers and their school,” Alan Johnston of London First Baptist Church said. “God is moving through the Prayer Circle, through a reboot of the local FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), and through several youth ministries seeing salvations and baptisms on a more regular basis than normal recently. It was truly awesome to be around a group of high schoolers from a variety of local youth ministries who love Jesus and through whom God is moving and to get to know many of these students and see their heart for Jesus and for their friends.”
Youth were also gathered around the flagpole at White Hall elementary schools. First Baptist Church in White Hall Children’s Minister Jennifer Weaver said this was the first year their elementary children participated in See You at the Pole.
“What I loved about this aspect is that the parents were heavily involved and came to pray with their K-5th graders. It was great to have whole families meet to pray at the pole,” she said. “One of my sweet third graders thought that meeting together at the pole to pray was so much fun and listened as her mom told about her own SYATP experience when she was younger. This is an experience that is now spanning generations and I hope it can continue to make an impact and bring families closer to Jesus.”
In Junction City, more than 40 students turned out. In a post on Facebook, Three Creeks Baptist Church shared, “See You At The Pole had a great turn out of 40+ students this morning! God is working in Junction City School District – Northeast Claiborne Charter and Three Creeks Baptist Church.”
In Cabot, the Mount Carmel Baptist Church’s student Facebook page called it a “HUGE day” as they gathered with students on campus for See You At The Pole and then celebrated with their entire community at Fields of Faith inside Panther Stadium.
“Lives were changed and God is on the move. Incredible stuff!” they wrote on the Mount Carmel Students Facebook page.
The Eagle Heights Student Ministry on Facebook said the SYATP at Harrison Middle School was amazing.
“Great student involvement and devotion time. Students go be the Light in your schools and Share what God has done in your life,” the post said.