In 1990, ten students from Burleson, Texas gathered to pray for several schools in their area during a weekend group retreat. Now, the student-led event has become a nation-wide tradition that allows students at millions of campuses to gather and participate in worship and prayer.  The event is typically held on the fourth Wednesday in September, and the time varies by school, but most students choose to hold the event in the early hours of the morning, before classes begin.

On Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 7 a.m, several students at PennWest California chose to take part in this tradition, led by PennWest’s three campus ministries—New Life, STAND, and Cal Catholic. Pete Ware, campus minister and advisor for STAND, remarked that See You at the Pole is one place of many student-driven activities that allows students to engage with others from the university, recognizing that students and faculty from all across our country are joining in prayer on the same day.

“See You at the Pole provides a time for Christians to join together and humble themselves before God in prayer for themselves, their school, the community, and the world,” he said.

This event included songs of worship led by STAND’s praise band, group prayer and small group discussions that allowed students to pray for their school, fellow peers and for each other. 

Bailey Trent is a sophomore and leader in STAND. She expressed that See You at the Pole and activities like it are so important because they build community not only within the campus ministry clubs, but also provide an opportunity for all students to connect with one another.

“I think students should continue to attend these events to grow more in their faith and relationships with one another,” said Trent. “Having these events on our campus is so important because everyone is welcome to come join us, and it allows us to connect with new people.”

Pete Ware also expressed that this activity shows that many students at PennWest have a passion to share their values and express what they believe in.

He remarked, “Having an event like See You at the Pole where students get up to meet at 7 a.m. before their classes and pray shows that they have a hunger for a greater connection and trust in God.”