Whispers carry across the lawn. Dewy footprints record the tracks of a group of teenagers walking quickly across the freshly-mown grass. Guitars strapped across shoulders and song sheets in hands give evidence of praise to come. Teachers, administrators, coaches, lay youth leaders and youth ministers, local pastors and teenagers all gather at the flag pole outside their schools for one purpose — to kick off a year of living their faith at middle and high schools across the country. Appropriately, the annual event is called “See You at the Pole” (www. SYATP. com).
For churches looking for a way to encourage Christian students and to connect with local middle and high school communities, SYATP offers a great way. This year’s challenge is “Engage … Engage your school, engage your community, engage your world … for His glory!”
All across the nation, SYATP is held in the same day. This year, students will assemble at 7 a.m. on Wed., Sept. 23.
At the high school where I teach, students lead this event. Several nearby churches help prepare the students for this leadership task. Usually, youth leaders from these churches also attend this important event to further connect with students.
Besides engaging yourself and your church in See You at the Pole, here are some other ways to get involved:
• Call local high schools and ask for the name and email addresses of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' (FCA) club sponsors.
• Offer goodies for the club’s upcoming program(s). Teenagers love to eat!
• Offer to lead a program.
• Remember, there are other Christian clubs sponsored by the school. Ask the FCA leaders for the sponsor’s contact information for the other club(s). Also, the school’s activities director is a good source for gathering this type of information.
• Offer to provide a goodie basket during Teacher Appreciation Week in May. Teachers love to eat, too! When creating the basket, include a card with your church’s information on it.
• Attend events at schools close to your church or schools where your youth attend. Listen for ways you can be further involved.
• Serve as a reading buddy for an emerging reader.
• Volunteer to work in a near-by school.
• Work as a substitute in the local school system.
• While this subject has become increasingly taboo over the last few years, several schools in the state still hold Baccalaureate services. Some school systems still allow for the service to meet on school grounds. Others require the service to be held off-campus. At my school, the senior class council officers coordinate this non-denominational service. In years past, several churches in the area have assisted the students with printing the invitations, mailing the invitations, providing refreshments (remember, teenagers love to eat!), providing music and participating during the service.
However you decide to get involved, don’t hesitate to step out there. Teenagers are hungry for a kind word and meaningful conversation (and don’t forget the food!).
Heidi Hurt Craft is a public school teacher in Virginia and a member of North Run Baptist Church in Richmond.