For those of you who have given up on the GenZ generation to carry on Jesus’ mighty work in the future, think again.
Wednesday’s annual See You at the Pole Day was enough to dispel those notions, and event promotion coordinator Doug Clark says from the reports he’s received throughout the United States, young people are flocking back to God in big numbers.
“Kids are hungry. They are hungry for Jesus,” Clark, also the National Field Director of National Network of Youth Ministries, told Charisma News in an exclusive interview Wednesday. “We’ve been extremely encouraged by the social media posts and the photos we’ve seen from See You at the Pole 2023, and they’re coming in from all over the country. The numbers are way up over last year. It’s been an incredible day.
“Thank you to everyone who participated. We are blown away by how See You at the Pole 2023 went! We give God all the glory and pray that He starts a movement out of this moment. We hope you are all encouraged and determined to see more regular prayer in your schools! It starts with you.”
As of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Clark says he received reports from students at schools in 44 states that participated in the early-morning event. The annual event began as a grassroots movement in 1990 with 10 students praying at one school.
“We haven’t seen this much participation since before the pandemic. And, of course, COVID-19 was just a scheme of the enemy to try to interrupt any momentum Jesus was gaining among young people at that time. Before our event this year, a lot of people were asking for resources from us to help stage it at their school, an increase of 35% from 2022. That’s pretty encouraging too.”
With the large turnouts, when asked if he thought schools were relaxing their policies to squelch religious freedom in America, Clark says the answer to the question is “bittersweet.”
“Yes, a lot of that is political, but I think it also has to do with the rates of depression and suicide among our young children, which are indicators of a big mental health problem,” Clark says. “But then it also creates an openness to the gospel.
“We know the road that these kids are taking is difficult, but our country is ripe for awakening. There is no other solution in our country than a profound movement of the Holy Spirit. It’s got to come from God. And when He really begins to move, we’ll be ready.”
Clark says young people are curious about Jesus, and that they are open to hear about and learn about him. What they are seeing in churches today, however, is a different story.
“There’s a lot of infighting going on in the churches, and that’s not attractive to them,” Clark says. “We’re accountable for how we behave in front of this next generation. It grieves that other things take priority instead of us recognizing how important it is to give these kids Jesus. That’s simply vital right now.”
On Wednesday, Focus on the Family posted this message on its Facebook page: “Despite the pressure of the world to stand down and be quiet, the youth of this generation are still gathering under God to pray for those around them. Amen!”
Another big kingdom event for schools is fast approaching. Bring your Bible to School Day is set for Thursday, Oct. 5. {eoa}
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Shawn A. Akers is the online editor at Charisma Media.
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