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Band 'Pocket Full of Rocks' at 'See You After ...'

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

The annual See You at the Pole event that takes place each year in school campuses across America is a great place to for students to connect with God, connect with other believers, and connect with their campus. Early in the morning students can be found gathering around their flagpoles to pray for their campus. The Parkland area is no exception.

On Sept. 24 students will gather early in the morning to pray in area schools including Arcadia Valley, Farmington, Fredericktown, West County, Central, North County, Ste. Genevieve, Potosi, Valley R-6 and Bismarck.

 The national website www.syatp.org reports: “SYATP connects believers together at the beginning of the school year, so they can stand strong together throughout the year.  See You at the Pole™ is all about prayer. It’s about you coming together and laying aside all the labels and groups for one day, to simply connect with God and connect with fellow Christians in unity around the flag pole — whether jocks, preps, geeks, Methodists, Baptists, Catholics, sophomores, or seniors.”

As in other years, prayers are expected to be held at these times and places: at the Farmington High School, Practice Field, on Black Knight Drive at 7 a.m. and at the Farmington Middle School at 7.30 a.m. At 7 a.m. students at Central High School and at 7.35 students at Central Middle School will gather around their flagpole to pray. At 7.30 students will pray at Bismarck and North County Middle School. North County High School will have a prayer time at 7.30 am. West County students are scheduled to meet at 7.45, Ste. Genevieve High and Middle School at 7.00, Fredericktown High and Middle School at 7.30 and Potosi High and Middle School at 7.00. Students are encouraged to check with their local school sponsors to confirm the exact time.

Wednesday Evening at 7 p.m. a “See You After the Pole Rally” sponsored by the Youth Ministries Network will be held. Last year the event drew 1,200 people. This year the nationally known band ‘Pocket Full of Rocks’ will provide Music and Speaker for the Rally. The Dove nominated worship band out of Franklin, Tenn., derives their name from the Story of David and Goliath in which David killed the giant Goliath with just a ‘pocket full of rocks’.

Michael Farren, lead vocalist with the band says this about their name: “God will use anything and anyone, even if all you have is a pocket full of rocks”. The band has been together for 12 years and is known for hits like “At the Cross”, “Let the Worshippers Arise” and “Beautiful You”. The band just finished their second national album Manifesto.

‘Manifesto is not a word you hear tossed about much,” Michael Farren, the band’s primary songsmith and also speaker for the Wednesday night rally, confesses. ‘Manifesto’ is defined as, ‘A public declaration of one’s intents, desires and motives.’

A worship band with roots deep in the church, Pocket Full of Rocks has developed a reputation for birthing new worship songs during the middle of a worship service. Three songs, “At The Cross”, “You’re My Everything”, and “Call You Beautiful” were all spontaneously created during congregational worship settings. Michael Farren does lead vocals, acoustic guitar and keys. Alissa Farren does vocals, David Rollins is on the drums and Jody Crump plays bass guitar.

Another feature of the See You After the Pole evening will be a slide show of pictures of students who prayed around their flagpoles earlier that morning. Loud cheers were common during last year’s rally when area youth saw their friends and schoolmates making a public stand for Christ.

This event is organized by the Youth Ministries Network, an initiative of Young Faith in Christ, in which more than 40 area churches work together to impact teens. A local board of youth pastors directs this network. The event is designed for teenagers, but anyone with a heart for area youth is welcome to attend.

No reservations are required and admission is free. Doors will open at 6.00 p.m. at Calvary Temple Church in Fredericktown, and the rally will start at 7.00 p.m. Calvary Temple Church is located just 2 miles east of Fredericktown on Hwy 72.

For more information on the event contact a local church or YFC by phone at 747-1705. For directions to the rally call 783-5731.