As the semester races toward its final stretch, Arise Nations Jonesboro hosted an event titled “The Finish Line” to motivate students to finish strong.

The event was held Thursday in the Reng Student Union Auditorium.

Arise has held campus-wide Bible study events every month since February, each with a different theme to align with student interests. 

Ian Buchanan, the youth and young adult pastor at Arise, said the event was designed to meet students where they were at during this time of year.

“We start a lot of stuff, but then sometimes along the way we don’t finish,” Buchanan said. “That’s exactly what we’re going to be talking about today, finishing.”

With finals week approaching, many students consider withdrawing from courses or dropping out due to stress, Buchanan said.

To reflect the theme of the night, Buchanan said Arise picked out scripture that focused on endurance and consistency.

“Our main scripture is Ecclesiastes 9:11, ‘for the race is not given to the swift, for those who endure to the end,’” Buchanan said

Chris Harper, the assistant pastor at Arise, said consistency is everything in educational settings.

“The finish line is not the end, just a stop for now,” Harper said. “Don’t pause, finish.”

Harper said that even while academic pressure may feel overwhelming, it shouldn’t define a student’s future.

“Don’t let circumstances pull you down; there is more to come,” Harper said.

Arise also invited a local business, Overflow Soda Co., in an effort to help relieve stress for students.

Yvonne Alonso, owner of Overflow, said the business intentionally places itself at events like these.

“It’s not just about the drinks, it’s about shining the light of Jesus to everyone we encounter,” Alonso said.

Alonso said she runs the business with the help of her husband, Rick Zacharko, and said their mission statement, “poured out with purpose,” reflects their goal of having meaningful interaction with every customer regardless of background or belief.

The event ended in a spontaneous moment of praise. Buchanan said these are the moments they’ve continued this campus ministry for. 

Buchanan said it is never about the numbers, and he hopes that the students walk away with a finishing mindset.

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