Students gather for annual ‘See You at the Pole’ event

Students gather for annual ‘See You at the Pole’ event

As teenagers gathered around flagpoles Sept. 15 to intercede for their leaders, school and families, they marked the 15th year of the grass-roots prayer event called “See You at the Pole” that began in Texas.

Over the years, millions of young people worldwide, including Alabama Baptists, have come together for this national day of student prayer, asking God to ignite a spiritual awakening on their campuses and in their countries.

Last year, more than 2 million teenagers met for See You at the Pole in all 50 states, according to a news release from the National Network of Youth Ministries.

Many prayed about the United States’ involvement in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Students in other countries such as Australia, Canada, Brazil, Japan and Nigeria also observed the time of prayer.

This year will also mark the fifth anniversary of the tragedy at Wedgewood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, Sept. 15, 1999.

Four youth and three adults were killed during a See You at the Pole-related service at the church when Larry Gene Ashbrook broke into the rally, wielding two pistols and a pipe bomb.

Ashbrook killed seven and injured seven before taking his own life.

(BP)