See You at the Pole an impactful activity for students

It doesn't take a million people to start a movement. In 1990, just 10 people started what has grown into millions. Consider that those 10 were students, not adults, and it becomes clearer: the actions of just a few are significant. That's how See You at the Pole (SYATP) began.

SYATP is now observed in more than 20 countries, including Japan, Canada, the Ivory Coast, Korea, Turkey and, of course, the United States on every fourth Wednesday of September. That means tomorrow is yet another opportunity for young people to gather at a school flagpole to effect change through prayer.

As syatp.com explains, "See You at the Pole™ is simply a prayer rally where students meet at the school flagpole before school to lift up their friends, families, teachers, school, and nation to God. See You at the Pole™ is a student-initiated, student-organized, and student-led event." Usually, students begin to gather at 7 a.m. local time, but that time is tweaked as necessary.

I have been a proponent of SYATP for years, having been part of a church in New York with a thriving youth group, where the teenagers believe in the power of prayer and in being bold in their faith. They have learned from the example of their adult youth leaders. They have seen firsthand the benefit of moving beyond the four walls of the church building and sharing their faith with others. They believe their mission is to reach out to others and share the Gospel. They know that prayer is a tool through which change transpires. So on the fourth Wednesday of September, before school, they would be at a flagpole praying.

My heart especially cries out, in 2016, for such a prayer gathering because the need is great. In fact, this year's theme is "We Cry Out." Tomorrow, students will gather to cry out to God for their families, friends, school, community, teachers, nation and more. With the challenges we face, with the questions with which young people are grappling within a world of chaos and crime, the best thing we can do is encourage them to walk by faith and not by sight. Children are consuming social media, trying to distinguish between truth and lies. They are assessing their own values in a society of ever-shifting norms. Many have seen their homes divided by divorce, friends' lives shattered by suicide and their nation poisoned by politics. And please don’t think they are not shaken by the riots that have broken out as race relations have exploded into a million pieces, a wedge further drawn between law enforcement and civilians. Fear and confusion are running rampant. They need to know there's somewhere to turn where hope resides, a place that has a sure foundation -- never shatters and never shifts.

SYATP chooses flagpoles as a place to meet, not because there's any more power there than anywhere else; it's an "easy-to-identify place to gather," as "virtually every school has a flagpole," according to the event's website, in addition to the symbolic significance since students pray for their nation and leaders.

Adults also participated in SYATP in New York, but note that the purpose is for students to pray. This is student-centered and student-led. Some adults refrained from going onto a school campus but gathered other places, like a courthouse. It would be wise for an adult who opts to pray at a school to touch base with the administration beforehand so no one is alarmed by unknown adults on campus when safety is on everyone's minds. But again, students lead the prayer rally, and lest there be any misunderstanding, students absolutely have a right to pray at their schools.

It's not too late to reach out to your youth groups to let them know that tomorrow is a good time to take a step of faith and pray. It's not too late for them to invite others. Also, invite those who are not yet committed Christians. Lives have been transformed as a result. In fact, throughout the years, Bible clubs, weekly prayer groups and various ministries have been birthed from SYATP.

Let's encourage youngsters to participate in wholesome, affirmative and impactful activities such as SYATP. We face terrorism home and abroad, a cantankerous presidential election and an uncertain economic future, and young people have to live among it and address it. Students who know this is bigger than they are and that they can cry out to God should be both encouraged and supported. God, lead young adults to say to their friends today, "See you at the pole tomorrow."

For more information on See You at the Pole, visit syatp.com.

Adrienne Ross is an author, speaker, columnist, editor, educator and Southeast Missourian editorial board member. Reach her at aross@semissourian.com.