Alabama students ready for See You at the Pole

What began with a group of high school students in Texas gathering around a flagpole in 1990 has changed through the years to become an event that involves people of all ages in countries around the world.
   
This year, students will gather at their schools Sept. 27 for See You at the Pole. The theme, based on Psalm 46:10, is Be Still and Know that I am God.
   
According to the See You at the Pole Web site, “See You at the Pole is simply a starting place and an opportunity for you to pause and unite with others, pleading for God to do a mighty work in your midst. It is very simple! — Be still. Know God.”
   
“See You at the Pole has grown by word of mouth,” said David Overstreet, co-promotional coordinator for See You at the Pole. 
   
He is also national director of field ministries with the National Network of Youth Ministries, one of the many ministries that sponsors See You at the Pole and coordinates promotion and media relations for the event.
  
Students meet at their school’s flagpole on the fourth Wednesday of September to pray for their school, friends, teachers, government and nation.
   
In 2005, more than 2 million teenagers participated in See You at the Pole events in all 50 states. More than 100,000 of those were from Alabama, including nearly 30,000 from the greater Birmingham area, according to First Priority of Alabama.
   
Other countries from six continents joined in last year, and two — Australia and Canada — have launched See You at the Pole movements of their own, using their own materials. 
   
As interest in the event grows, students are also attending rallies before or after the event and holding other meetings to continue the ministry.
   
“We’re seeing kids wanting to do more than just have a day of prayer,” Overstreet said. “They want to serve — to be involved.”
   
This involvement is something that Greg Davis, national ministry director for First Priority, has seen during the past few years. This generation of students wants to see their family, nation and peers come to see God, said Davis, past executive director of First Priority of Alabama.
   
Through his work with First Priority, Davis helps plan events to promote See You at the Pole. First Priority helps get the word out and helps churches connect to do rallies.  
   
“See You at the Pole has served as a great unifying force among churches,” Davis said. “It can unify their community.”
   
One such event is the Campus Challenge Sunday. Held the weekend of Sept. 23–24, congregations recognize and pray for Christian students and educators at their church. This is one way adults can show their support for See You at the Pole, Overstreet said.
   
Another event is the Saw You at the Pole rally.
   
For the past two years, Eastaboga Baptist Church in Coosa River Baptist Association has held this rally on the Wednesday night of See You at the Pole. 
   
At See You at the Pole, the students are encouraged to attend the rally that night and bring someone with them. It has been an effective way to reach the unsaved and bring them to Christ, said Jason Grissom, pastor of students and outreach for Eastaboga Baptist.
   
To learn more about See You at the Pole, visit www.syatp.com. For a planning guide to hold a Campus Challenge Sunday, visit www.everyschool.com. For more information on either program, call 858-451-1111.