September 27, 2023
East Texas Baptist University participated in the nationally recognized See You at the Pole event on Wednesday, September 27. The special tradition on campus was coordinated by ETBU's Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) as a way for students, faculty, and staff to join the three million students in the United States and over 20 countries around the world in prayer at their school’s flagpole.
The event took place at the American, Texas, and Christian flagpoles located in the Quad, within the heart of the University's campus. Students, faculty, staff, and community members from diverse backgrounds gathered to pray for our America, the state of Texas, local communities, leaders, and each other.
See You at the Pole is a nationwide movement that began in 1990 as a student-initiated prayer event. It has since grown to encompass schools and universities across the United States. ETBU celebrated another successful See You at the Pole event, continuing a cherished tradition that has united students, faculty, and staff in a spirit of prayer and fellowship for over a decade.
“College is an important time of development and growth,” ETBU sophomore Christian ministry major Levi Baird said. “Events like See You at the Pole are pathways in which we spiritually grow as individuals and as a community. It made me so happy to see people my age praying and loving the Lord.”
The event featured heartfelt prayers, worship music, and a brief message. ETBU's BSM, in collaboration with other campus ministries and student organizations, worked to make this event memorable and impactful for all participants.
“It is always such a blessing to work with the student leaders who help organize See You at the Pole,” Baptist Student Ministry Director David Griffin said. “They have such a passion to reach the lost, and this event is always an encouragement, as I get to see that passion on full display.”
ETBU's See You at the Pole gatherings have consistently demonstrated the University's commitment to nurturing faith and spiritual growth among its community members.
"As we reflect on the history of See You at the Pole at East Texas Baptist University, it's evident that this prayer commitment has played a pivotal role in fostering unity and spiritual growth within our campus community," ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn said. "We look forward to continuing this tradition in the years to come, as it serves as a powerful reminder for us to prayerfully seek God's wisdom, protection, and guidance in all that we do."