The “See You at the Pole” event will occur Wednesday, Sept. 24, around 7 a.m.

This annual event, which is led by students, originated 24 years ago in Ft. Worth, Texas. The theme this year is based on Ephesians 6:18 -- “Never stop praying, especially for others.”

Approximately 50-100 high school students will gather that morning at the high school flag pole. They will hold hands while saying prayers for our leaders, schools, government, families and friends.

A similar program will be held at the Fountain Hills' Middle School beginning about 7:15 a.m.

Last year, more than two million teenagers met in all 50 states...on the same date at the same local time.

This year, for the first time in Fountain Hills, there will be a “rally” at Christ’s Church on the Sunday evening (Sept. 21) before the event.

“We will have a few students leading everyone in different activities and will spend time worshipping God together,” said Christ’s Church’s Youth Pastor Randy Short.

“Every student who attends will receive a wristband to wear during the coming week. We are going to push the global week of prayer and also challenge students to sign up to pray for their school on a specific day every month.”

“It will be cool for the students to know that every single day there is someone praying for their school and that God would change it,” said Fountain Hills Christian Center Pastor Todd Forrest.

Forrest is also a key leader of this event working closely with Short. Forrest served as a youth pastor for many years in the past.

“See You at the Pole is a public expression of our teenagers taking ownership of their faith,” said Forrest, who was actually involved with the first “See You at the Pole” in 1990.

“This is not led by an adult, but is led by teens, for teens, in front of all their teen friends. This has never been designed to be an exclusive or offensive display by Christians.

“It is a rallying point to acknowledge God in our schools and mobilize the many that surround the pole to cover the school, staff and students in prayer. Hopefully it will also be a point of curiosity and open doors to share the love of Jesus with those who are still searching for answers. ”

Short added, “At the end of the rally we will be splitting the students up into several groups so they can pray and plan for the event.

“We will have a Fountain Hills High School group, a Fountain Hills Middle School group, a Charter School group and a final group consisting of students who attend schools in Scottsdale or are homeschooled.”

“I plan on attending this powerful night of worship leading up to the primary event on Wednesday early morning at the flag pole, said Forrest.

For further input, contact Randy Short at randy@ccfhaz.com or call 837-3121. For background information on the national event refer to www.syatp.com.