See You At The Pole

See You at the Pole

See You at the Pole™ is a an annual nation-wide event where students join in a movement of prayer that is bigger than themselves. It is like an early morning stadium wave of students’ hands raised in prayer moving across the country.

On the fourth Wednesday in September, before school starts, students stand and pray at their school flagpole. Together, they lift their voices to God in prayer for their friends, families, teachers, their community, their nation, and the world. It is uniquely student-initiated, student-organized, and student-led. Interested in how it began? Find out more here.

Why SYATP?

“When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there” (Matt 18:20 MSG). According to Jesus, even two students gathered at the flagpole to seek His face is enough make our Father want to show up and join in on the wave. That is what scripture tells us. What a motivating picture and promise!

Here are some practical advantages of SYATP for leaders:

Increase the amount of prayer happening on your campus.
Meet students and catalyze a movement at the start of the school year.
Help curious or new students meet Christians on campus.
Build connections with other ministry-minded adults (pastors, parents, teachers, administration, etc.)
Create an opportunity for students to lead in prayer.

For Students, SYATP…

provides a place of belonging for those who want to see God impact their campus.
makes a way for students who pray to find each other.
connects and unifies believers & Christian groups on campus.
is a visible yet vulnerable sign to peers of students’ love and faith.
is a unique opportunity to identify other adults who care and pray.
gives them a vision for their whole school, community, and nation.
is an easy way to kick-start a prayer group on campus.

As someone who cares and prays, who will you challenge to participate in a wave of prayer at SYATP this year?

If it is just you and Jesus right now, will you show up to pray and trust God to start a wave by His Spirit?

It is like an early morning stadium wave of students' hands raised in prayer moving across the country.

Why Leaders Keep Returning to the Pole

“This could very well be the most important national student event of the year. Whenever you get one million teenagers praying for their schools, God takes notice . Only in eternity will we know what God has done in answer to the courageous prayers of students holding hands around their flag pole.”

-Kevin Young, Cru High School National Director

“SYATP challenges us (as leaders) to release control and allow students to step up .”- Jason Dinh, San Diego Team Leader, Cru HS

“When students experience the glory of God through prayer, everything else will fall into place…”- Annie, high school student leader

“SYATP is a significant opportunity for students to take a physical stand and make prayer a tangible action point. Because students stand outside and pray while their peers walk into school and watch them, it’s a big faith step for many.”- Jason Geick, San Diego Team Leader, Cru HS

“One year, we challenged our girls to lead SYATP at their school on very short notice. It gave them a heart and vision for their whole school .”- Laurie and Carol, Orlando Team, Cru HS

“I always wanted to be the person who organized the students who would lead SYATP so we could have students sign our sign up sheet so we would have all the names. That way, we would be able to invite them personally to different opportunities Cru has later.” -Scott from Cru’s Coaching Center

“Sometimes SYATP gives students a chance to share their faith with their friends who don’t know Jesus yet.” Chris Trimpe, Indy Field Staff, Cru HS

“Early morning, genuine, bold, visible prayer from the hearts of students ushers in the presence of God in the most powerful way. I have seen spiritual movements birthed from simply a few students gathering to pray at SYATP.”- Dawn, Cru HS, Orlando

“When you see teenagers, youth leaders, and administration gather around a poll and go before their King, you see the unity of the church and a piece of heaven on earth. ” – Carlos, Orlando Team Leader, Cru HS

The effects of this "stadium wave" will ripple into eternity. So what are you waiting for? Start the wave.

If You Are Ready for The Pole...

Here is How To Prepare

Download SYATP App or visit SYATP’s website.

Both are packed with resources to help students make their “stadium prayer wave” as big or as intimate as they envision. The website comes complete with these simple sections on how to prepare:

PRAY – some basic ways to pray as you prepare
PREPARE – a downloadable preparation checklist
PUBLICIZE – promotional videos, photos, graphics, a virtual SYATP warehouse
PLAN – includes a downloadable planning guide . You will also find a list of students’ rights as well as resources for legal help, just in case. [Scroll down to see it.]

The effects of this “stadium wave” will ripple into eternity. So what are you waiting for? Start the wave.

For more information about SYATP, check out SYATP FAQs .

Next Step

Visit SYATP.COM and start planning your SYATP for September. Talk to other youth groups in the area to see if they will join you on that day to pray for your school.

SYATP.COM

Made for Students, Helpful for Adults

This Playbook is designed first for students. It helps you take ownership, lead your friends, and build something that actually reaches your school.

At the same time, if you’re an adult, youth leader, parent, or volunteer, this gives you a clear way to come alongside students without taking over.

Students lead
Adults support
Everyone moves forward together

Why Most People Don’t Start

A lot of students never take the first step. Not because they don’t care, but because they feel stuck.

“Where do I even begin?”
“What if no one shows up?”
“How do I get others involved?”

Uncertainty can keep people from moving. This Playbook breaks that barrier. It gives you a clear path so you can stop overthinking and start doing.

What This Helps You Do

This isn’t just ideas sitting on a page. It’s a practical guide you can actually use right now.

With the Playbook, you can:

Start something meaningful, even if you’re on your own
Gather a few friends and build momentum
Share your faith in natural, real ways
Lead with confidence, even if you’ve never led before
Build something that lasts beyond you

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need a place to start.

“Start where you are, use what you have, take the first step.”

A Simple Path to Follow

The Playbook walks you through five clear steps. Each one is simple, practical, and designed to help you take action.

DREAM: Start with a vision for your school and what God could do there
PRAY: Learn how to pray for your campus in real, meaningful ways
GO: Take action, gather a team, and begin reaching people
GROW: Build a group that develops leaders and multiplies
SEND: Help others step out and reach their friends too

You don’t have to guess what to do next. It’s right there in front of you.

Built to Be Used, Not Just Read

This isn’t a long manual you’ll never finish. It’s short. It’s simple. It’s designed to move you forward.

Easy to read
Clear next steps
Real examples
Space to think and act

You can go through it on your own, or walk through it with a couple of friends. Adults can use it to guide conversations and help students take ownership.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Starting something can feel intimidating. But you’re not on your own. The Playbook connects you to tools, coaching, and a bigger movement of people who are doing the same thing. Take one step, and you’ll find support along the way.

Start Today

You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need a first step.

Next Step

Download the Playbook with the button above and walk through the first section this week with a friend!

Comment Cards 101: Capture Interest, Build Relationships

Why Comment Cards Matter

The most important thing you do in ministry isn’t running events, it’s building relationships. Big gatherings are great, but they aren’t personal. Comment cards help you bridge that gap. They give students a simple way to raise their hand and say:

“I’m interested”
“I want to get involved”
“I want to talk”
“I made a decision”

A comment card is more than a form. It’s a filter. The event gathers the crowd, but the comment cards reveal the ones who are ready. Instead of guessing who’s interested, students tell you. And that’s what allows you to follow up personally and meaningfully.

Download Comment Cards

Tip: Start simple. You can always customize later.

Physical vs. Digital Comment Cards

You can collect information digitally, but physical cards still win.

Physical Cards

Higher response rate
Easier to complete in the moment
No distractions
Feels more intentional

Digital Options

Students are less likely to fill them out
Distractions
Technical glitches

Digital can work, but many ministries find they get about half the responses compared to physical cards. Even in a digital world, physical cards often get better results. If you want the most responses, go physical first.

“The card isn’t the win, the conversation is.”

How to Use Comment Cards

1. Pass Them Out at the Right Moment
Usually at the end of a meeting or outreach, when interest is highest.

2. Give Everyone a Pen or Pencil
Don’t assume students have one. They won’t.

3. Walk Through the Card Together
This is huge. Once everyone has a card, read each section out loud and guide them:

“Write your name here”
“Check this if you want to get involved”
“Check this if you prayed to receive Christ”

If you don’t do this, students rush through and check random boxes.

4. Give Them Time to Complete It
Pause. Let them actually fill it out.

5. Collect Them Immediately
Don’t leave it optional or vague.

Use Incentives to Increase Response

Want more cards turned in? Use prizes.

Gift cards
Snacks
Fast food coupons
Free merch

Tell them:
“Turn in your card, we’ll draw for prizes.”

It works. A simple prize can double your response rate.

Best Practices That Make a Big Difference

Use cardstock
Regular paper tears or gets ruined. Cardstock holds up better.

Keep it simple
Too many options overwhelm students.

Look through cards immediately
Scan for:

Students who want to get involved
Spiritual decisions
Urgent needs

If possible, connect with them before they leave the meeting. The best practice is to follow up within 24–48 hours. After that, interest fades fast. So if. you can talk with them before they leave and set up a time to connect again in the next day or so, you will get your best results.

Turning Cards Into Conversations

A comment card is just the beginning. The goal isn’t collecting information. The goal is connection. Use what they checked to guide your follow-up:

Grab lunch
Meet after school
Start a Bible study
Have a gospel conversation

Final Thought

Comment cards can feel like a small detail, but they might be one of the most important things you do at an event. They help you move from a crowd, to a conversation, to a changed life.

Next Step

Download a comment card and use it at your next meeting.

Student Leader Application and Covenant

Strong student leadership doesn’t happen by accident.

Whether you’re a student leading your peers or an adult supporting a movement, clarity around leadership can make a huge difference. These simple documents are designed to help you communicate expectations, invite the right students in, and build a healthy leadership culture.

They’re optional tools for any campus movement, not requirements, but many teams find them incredibly helpful.

Student Leadership Application

This application is a simple way for students to express interest in leadership and for you to get to know them better. It creates space for students to share their story, their faith, and why they want to lead. It also helps ensure they understand the purpose and message of your ministry before stepping into a leadership role.

Leaders often use this as a starting point for conversations, discernment, and development, not just as a form to collect.

Student Leadership (Editable Document)
Student Leadership Application (PDF)

“Great leadership starts with clarity, not assumptions.”

Model Student Covenant

This covenant helps define what it means to be a student leader in your group. It clearly communicates expectations, both in character and commitment, and gives students a chance to step in with understanding and ownership. Because it’s customizable, you can adapt it to fit your local context, adding practical expectations that make sense for your team.

Many leaders use this as part of training or onboarding, helping students not just say “yes” to leadership, but understand what they’re saying yes to.

Model Student Covenant (Editable Document)

Next Step

Review these documents and choose one to use with your leadership team this semester: