See You at the Pole (SYATP) has been taking place each year since 1990. It’s a student-led event where students meet at the flagpole before school starts on the fourth Wednesday in September.
The event is intended to lift-up classmates, teachers, family, friends, and our nation in sincere prayer before God Almighty.
SYATP is supported by more than a hundred ministries, organizations, and denominations, including Cru, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, TBN, CBN, Promise Keepers, YWAM, National Day of Prayer, and Alliance Defending Freedom.
Why meet at a flagpole?
In 1990 when youth ministers in Texas first challenged young people to meet on a common day to launch their school year in prayer, one of the concerns what how to help those who wanted to pray together find each other. It was noted that virtually every school has a flagpole, and the flagpole provided an easy-to-identify place to gather. Also, one issue that the teenagers were praying about was the spiritual health of their country and their leaders in obedience to 1 Timothy 2:1–2, which says, “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” (NLT)
On Wednesday 9/22, SYATP will take place at hundreds of school flagpoles. For our story this year, we focus on a strong example of student prayer taking place in the Midwest. “We serve, with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a 14-county area…we’re blessed to serve every public school system but three in that area,” explains Jeff Mosier, East Central Indiana Area Director, Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
In our podcast below, Jeff will introduce you to two students, Ethan Wolfe and Kayla Patterson, both very involved with See You at the Pole, and another event coming up in October, Fields of Faith.
Ethan is a senior, a musician – solid with a guitar and piano. He acknowledges that it takes “a lot of courage” to gather with others at the flagpole, publicly displaying faith in Jesus. Ethan says at some schools, not his, he knows standing-up for Jesus “is not cool.” Jeff tells us Ethan “has done a great job of developing into a real leader.”
Both Ethan and Kayla are part of a worship band that often performs just before SYATP takes place. One thing Kayla appreciates is, “Kids are actually taking time out of their day before school going to make it a point to pray for our schools, for our nation, for people in our lives. I think it’s beautiful. Absolutely amazing. I love being part of it every year.” FCA’s Jeff Mosier says Kayla is a “gifted speaker, vocalist and musician.”
In our podcast, you’ll get to know the hearts of Kayla and Ethan, and the strong faith leadership offered by Jeff.
