New Fit for Eternity Sculpture Celebrates Wholistic Fitness

The long-anticipated Fit for Eternity sculpture, depicting Jesus jogging with two college students, was unveiled in front of Hulsey Wellness Center on the campus of Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee, United States on November 6. The donor-funded bronze art piece is the culmination of years of planning and fundraising, all spearheaded by Phil Garver, dean emeritus of the School of Health and Kinesiology, who died just two months prior to the reveal.

Before he passed, Garver described his enthusiasm about the project: “My hope is that when students see this statue, it will be a reminder to look to God, to walk with Him and run with Him.”

Alicia Garver, senior finance major and granddaughter of the visionary, fondly remembers his anticipation. “This sculpture was a dream he had for years, and I’m honored to see it coming into fruition,” she says. “I hope everyone is as inspired by its meaning as he was.”

“The piece conveys such a personable and relatable image of Jesus, one that reflects His genuine interest in our students,” shares Ken Shaw, Ed.D., university president. “Fit for Eternity will stand as a lasting tribute to Dr. Garver’s vision, and I cannot wait to watch the reactions of our students and guests to the impressive representation of a lasting connection with God.”

Southern commissioned the art piece from Victor Issa, a prominent Seventh-day Adventist sculptor whose work is also featured at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Alabama, and AdventHealth’s corporate campus in Florida. Inspired by the divine act of creation, Issa seeks to uplift people by capturing the beauty and inspiration of the human journey.

Zach Gray, dean of the School of Visual Art and Design (SVAD) at Southern, explains how the statue began as a small clay maquette, or model, before being scaled up, made into a mold, and finally cast in bronze. “The statue’s placement in front of the campus building dedicated to wellness invites students to participate in its sense of movement as they pass by—to join in running the race with Christ,” Gray shares.

A special exhibit, currently open in SVAD’s John C. Williams Gallery of Art, features more of Issa’s works. Spanning his three major collections and titled “Creating Living Bronze: A 40-Year Retrospective,” the showcase on the second floor of Brock Hall is open through January 20, 2026.

Fit for Eternity is a testament to Southern’s core commitment to connect students’ passions to God’s purpose for their lives, school leaders said. Now, as generations frequent Hulsey Wellness Center—whether for classes, intramural sports, or recreation—they will be reminded that God is alongside them in all aspects of life.

The original version of this story was posted on Southern Adventist University news site.