Faith around the Flagpole
On September 23rd, Pinewood Christian Academy students gathered in four separate groups to pray at the global See You at the Pole event. This year’s theme was “Come to Me,” based on the Scripture found in Matthew 11:28. It says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. Mrs. Brooke Smith, Director of Spiritual Development at Pinewood, along with our administrative team encouraged students and faculty to bring our requests to God, as He has promised to hear and give us peace and rest.
First through third grade students and faculty were first to meet around the flagpole and pray. Faculty members served as group leaders and encouraged students to take turns praying and sharing their requests and needs with God. It was a sweet time listening to and seeing our young students pray.
Seniors then joined their Kinder Connect kindergarten classes as well as K4 students and faculty. The seniors stood and held hands in a big circle with the younger children as both younger and older students prayed together.
Our fourth through sixth grade students gathered next at the yearly event. Several sixth-graders shared a short devotional, and teachers encouraged students to have the courage to pray aloud in front of their peers. Several students volunteered to pray aloud and led their groups in thanking God for all He has done and asking Him to guide them this school year.
To close this event, our high school students and faculty met around the flagpole. Mady Grace Durden, Addison Swindell, and Jillian Harvey began their time by sharing verses of Scripture aloud to the group. Following some instructions from Mrs. Smith, the high schoolers prayed together. Several local youth ministers came to support their youth and prayed over their students. Mrs. Smith called all the students to meet back under the flagpole for one last piece of encouragement for the high school student body.
Taking part in this yearly event reminds us of a common goal with a million other students around the world– to seek God. What started in 1990 in Texas continues to impact schools, communities, and students thirty-six years later. We are thankful for the opportunity to gather and ask the Lord to help strengthen our students, teachers, and leaders to make a difference in the lives of those around us.
