Students across the world will demonstrate their faith by participating at the See You at the Pole event at their schools next Wednesday.

But at least one local church hopes to help motivate the region’s students to take part, by hosting a See You Before the Pole Rally.

The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Nansemond River Baptist Church. It is free of charge and targeted to sixth through 12th graders of all denominations.

“We’re using this as an opportunity to encourage and equip students to have a successful See You at the Pole event,” said Mark Turner, the youth pastor at Nansemond River.

While registration is not necessary to attend, Turner said, notification of attendance for big groups is appreciated.

For the event, Alvin Reid, a professor of evangelism and student ministry at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., will be a featured speaker, and the Chad Lister Band will perform. There also will be a time of prayer during the rally.

While Nansemond River is hosting the event, Turner said, the church has invited youth groups from different cities in Hampton Roads, including Chesapeake, Smithfield and Portsmouth, to attend the event.

“We invite as many churches as we know and can,” he said.

In previous years, Nansemond River has held similar events the night of the See You at the Pole in past years, but this year, Turner said, he and other youth pastors decided a rally before the event could help get students excited for See You at the Pole.

“Rather than waiting for the event to happen and celebrate it, we’re trying to increase awareness of See You at the Pole, so they can invite their friends and have a more successful event Wednesday,” Turner said.

He said the main goal is to give the students confidence to ask their friends to participate in the global day of student prayer.

Additionally, Turner said, he hopes the rally will connect students who attend the same school but different churches and bring them together for Wednesday’s event.

“It gives them a sense that they aren’t alone in their faith,” he said.

For more information on the Meet Me Before the Pole rally, contact Nansemond River Baptist Church at 484-3423.