If you were to spend any length of time with me, you’d quickly learn that one of my mantras is to finish strong. We’ve entered March, which means we are in the second half of the semester—just 8 or so weeks from summer break. It’s about this time of year that students’ faces start to glaze over; student leaders renege on their commitments; campus staff drift into autopilot; and the fire that fueled us at the beginning of the semester begins to gradually fizzle out.
But that’s not what any of us desire. We want our students to remain faithful to Christ. We want our student leaders to follow through on their commitments with fervor. We want our ministry to continue sharing Christ and discipling students. We want students to be increasingly engaged in their walk with the Lord and their mission field on campus.
How do you finish strong as a campus missionary? How do you help your students and your campus ministry finish the semester well?
5 Steps to Finish the Semester Strong as a Campus Missionary
- Evaluate and adjust. Take some time to step back to assess what has been effective so far. Is your evangelism, discipleship, leadership, etc. pipelines doing well and as intended? If not, adjust where necessary. [“Let us examine our ways and test them and let us return to the Lord.” — Lamentations 3:40]
- Reignite your vision. Revisit the mission and purpose of your ministry. Remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing and let that fuel your passion for the remaining weeks. [“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9]
- Prioritize relationships. The second half of the semester often flies by, so be intentional about spending quality time with students, especially those who may be struggling or drifting. [“Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11]
- Stay spiritually healthy. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself. Avoid burnout by keeping your own walk with Christ strong. Guard your time in the Word, prayer, and Sabbath rest. [“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.” — John 15:4]
- Plan for a strong finish. Look ahead to end-of-semester events, leadership transitions, and summer opportunities. Make sure you’re equipping students to continue growing in their faith beyond the semester. [“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” — Proverbs 16:3]
5 Steps to Help Students (especially leaders) Finish the Semester Strong
- Assist them to refocus on the “why.” Remind them that their involvement in campus ministry isn’t just about attending events but about growing in their faith and making Christ known on campus. [“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33]
- Encourage them to be consistent. Mid-semester fatigue is real. Challenge your students to stay engaged in small groups, discipleship, and outreach, even when academics and schedules feel overwhelming. [“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” — 1 Corinthians 15:58]
- Provide a little mid-semester encouragement. Share testimonies of how God has been working, send out Scripture-based encouragement, or even host a “Halfway Recharge” night for worship and renewal. [“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” — Hebrews 10:23]
- Challenge them to finish with purpose. Encourage students to set spiritual goals for the remainder of the semester (e.g., sharing the gospel with one friend, being consistent in quiet time, or inviting new people to their small group). [“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:14]
- Point toward summer discipleship. Whether it’s summer mission trips, discipleship opportunities, or ways to stay connected with their faith during the break, help students see that their spiritual growth doesn’t stop when the semester ends. [“Blessed is the one who delights in the law of the Lord… That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season.” — Psalm 1:2-3]
The temptation to slowly fade is real, but by implementing these things yourself and encouraging your students in these ways, you can finish strong instead. What if, instead of counting down days until summer vacation, we and our students finish the semester by counting the cost of following Jesus and saying yes to that call every single day?
I’m not sure we could finish any better than that.
