In early 1990, a small group of teenagers in Burleson, Texas, came together for a DiscipleNow weekend with a common goal of seeking God. Little did they know, a powerful movement was about to be sparked. On a Saturday night, their hearts were deeply moved as they became broken before God and burdened for their friends. Driven by this newfound passion, they embarked on a mission to pray for their friends, schools, and leaders. Without a clear plan, they gathered at their respective school flagpoles, unaware of the impact their obedience would have.
God used the transformative experiences of these teenagers, as well as others participating in similar prayer meetings, to inspire a vision in the hearts of youth leaders across Texas. This vision was to see students throughout the state follow their example and gather at their school flagpoles to pray simultaneously. Named See You at the Pole™ during a brainstorming session with key youth leaders, this challenge was shared with 20,000 students in June 1990 at Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas.
God had a grander plan than anyone could have imagined. On September 12, 1990, at 7:00 a.m., over 45,000 teenagers from four different states met at school flagpoles to pray before the start of their day. Reports continued to pour in for days after the event through a toll-free number dedicated to receiving feedback.
A few months later, at a national conference in Colorado, youth ministers from across the country shared news that their students had heard about the prayer movement in Texas and were equally burdened for their schools. Although no specific events were planned, it was evident that students all over the nation would create their own national day of student prayer. This groundswell was unstoppable.
On September 11, 1991, at 7:00 a.m., an estimated one million students gathered at school flagpoles across the United States for prayer. From Massachusetts to California, from North Dakota to Texas, students came together with a common purpose. Some sang, others read Scripture, but the most important thing was that they prayed. Just as the first group of students had done, they prayed for their schools, friends, leaders, and their country.
Since its inception in 1991, See You at the Pole has grown beyond imagination. In just a few years, the movement spread to other nations through U.S. missionaries. Today, an estimated one million students from around the world participate in See You at the Pole™ each year. Over 64 countries have joined in this movement, including Canada, Korea, Japan, Turkey, and the Ivory Coast. Students are responding to God’s call to prayer, taking the challenge seriously.
Join us this Wednesday for 2023, See You at the Pole at 7:15!!
