editorial – looking to the future, remembering our past

Jesus summarised his ministry in Luke 4 by quoting from Isaiah 61 – he was anointed (‘Messiahed’) to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for prisoners, and release for the oppressed. He consistently demonstrated a heart for those who found themselves at the margins of society – whether through their own unwise actions, or through the actions of others who should have cared better for them. He offered forgiveness and restoration to all those who admitted their need and put their faith in him.

As his servants, we have the immense privilege of walking in his footsteps by caring for those he brings our way. In this edition of Triple Helix, we see some excellent examples of ordinary believers doing extraordinary things. With prisoners, with homeless people, with forced migrants and refugees – even the drama and crisis of serving in the midst of a military coup in Asia! I hope you find these stories as inspirational as I have.

We also remember the lives of four special people who have been part of our fellowship over the years in different ways, and who have recently gone to their rest after serving their Master well. Anne Merriman was a tireless pioneer of palliative care in both the UK and Africa. John Martin was our Head of Communications and a former Editor of Triple Helix. Marjory Foyle qualified as World War Two came to a close, and recently died aged 103, after virtually inventing the field of psychological care for missionaries! And Shina Grant worked in a single-handed rural practice in Scotland, showing the love of Jesus as she did so. Each of these stories will warm your heart and may encourage you to step out in faith as each of them did.

Every one of these members and former staff has left their own legacy in different ways. In this edition, there is a timely article from Naomi Buckler on the power of leaving a financial legacy in your will for the charitable causes you have supported throughout your life. CMF has benefited many times over the years from generous legacies left by our members. Just in the last few weeks, we received a particularly significant legacy that has enabled us to pay off the remaining mortgage on Johnson House, and to replace the ageing boiler there! This has been a huge and unexpected blessing to us, and we are incredibly grateful to the generosity of the faithful member concerned. This will continue to benefit us for decades to come. We plan to say more in due course.

Autumn is a time of changing seasons. We hope that you enjoy looking back at CMF’s ministry in 2024 with our enclosed Impact Report. We are so grateful for all that the Lord has done for us during this period, which included our 75th Anniversary celebrations.

Now, as we look forward to 2026, we would greatly value your prayers for the senior staff and the Board of Trustees, as we finalise our ministry plans for next year, and our strategic priorities for the next three to five years. Much thought and prayer has gone into the formation of these, as we have sought to hear the Lord’s voice over the last year or so.

The Board meeting on 29 November will be focused on agreeing next year’s budget, and the outline strategic plans, which we think will be largely focused on:

■   Improving our member journey, our recruitment & retention, and ultimately seeking to increase our membership.

■   Engaging churches better, with the primary goal of connecting with and supporting more healthcare workers.

■   Supporting International Graduates better, including through the Every Nation Collaborative – you can see some exciting glimpses of this as you read Hannah John’s amazing story in our Autumn Appeal (cmf.li/CMFAutumn25).

■        Developing our public policy ministry and responding to the changing ethical landscape around us, seeking new opportunities to respond with Christlike compassion to changing needs. This is more needed than ever, especially as campaigns to legalise assisted suicide and to decriminalise abortion are raging around us. As we face these challenges, we’re delighted that we have just expanded our public policy team – see Fellowship News on p31 for details.

As winter pressures begin to bite in earnest, and as the resident doctor industrial dispute drags on, I pray that the Lord will sustain you as you work, study and live for his glory. If you are feeling burdened yourself, please reach out to our pastoral care team at wellbeing@cmf.org.uk, and please let us know if the staff and volunteer team can support or pray for you personally in any way.