For thirty years, “See You at the Pole”™ has been about one simple act—students in prayer. Perhaps there has never been a more important time than now to pray for students, school, communities and nations. SYATP is still about students uniting themselves in prayer before God, interceding for their generation, in particular asking God to do three things: “Return. Restore. Revive.”
By B. Randall Parris
Historically, the Church of God International Department of Youth and Discipleship has always supported and engaged with SYATP. The current leadership team at International Youth and Discipleship, (David Blair, Rob Bailey, Randall Parris, and Mark Swank) once served as local church youth pastors and prayed with students on the SYATP Day, almost since its inception.
Youth and Discipleship International Director, David Blair, currently serves on the SYATP Global Board and recently reflected saying, “Nothing has changed. Our entire Y&D Team prioritized this ministry when we were all student pastors and we continue to prioritize it today! The “Jeremiah Generation” within the Church of God joined countless others in the Body of Christ to pray at school flag poles around the country and around the world on September 23rd.”
There are two key opportunities for students to unite in prayer:
• SYATP DAY: SEE YOU AT THE POLE day, was Wednesday, September 23, at 7:00 a.m. local time. All around the globe, in every time zone, students gathered at their flagpoles, praying for their school, friends, families, churches, and communities.
• SYATP WEEK: The GLOBAL WEEK OF STUDENT PRAYER (September 20-26) encouraged students to find new and unique ways, places, and times to pray throughout the week. Whether students attend PUBLIC SCHOOL, PRIVATE SCHOOL, or HOME SCHOOL, they can gather friends wherever and whenever and pray!
“See You at the Pole”™ has grown to God-sized proportions. Within the first few years, the organic movement spread to other nations through missionaries from the U.S. Now each year, more than one million students from 64+ nations participate in “SYATP”. NYLA, (the Church of God National Youth Leaders Association) has always promoted this significant time on school campuses. International Youth and Discipleship Assistant Director, Rob Baily, who facilitates NYLA clearly expressed the heart of this ministry when he describes it this way; “‘See You at the Pole’ is led by students and children, where they gather with others prior to school to unite together in prayer. It is very encouraging, in these troublesome times, that students are boldly, crying out to God and the National Youth Leaders Association, (NYLA) fully endorses it!”
Looking Ahead:
If students and children from your church did not participate this year, start looking ahead for next year. What can you do?
– Help get the word out! Let youth and children’s leaders know about this great opportunity! Share this opportunity with young people!
– Consider how your church and other churches in your community can get involved.
– Use your social media outlets to promote awareness and access to SYATP resources!
– Take advantage of the great videos and resources that are always available FREE of charge!
https://syatp.com You can find great ideas for promotion, prayer, and publicity at this easy-to-use website!
Students of the “Jeremiah Generation” within the Church of God made a difference on their campuses on Wednesday by partnering in prayer with other young believers!
B. Randall Parris serves as International Coordinator of Global Youth Leadership,
for Church of God International Department of Youth and Discipleship.