Beyond the Bleep

About 100 people, mainly juniors starting house jobs, attended the Junior Doctors' Weekend Conference at Hothorpe Hall, Leicestershire on 5-7 September. Pablo Martinez, Spanish Psychiatrist, gave Bible readings on the life of Joseph, applying it to three tests we all face: the test of family problems, the test of temptation and the test of waiting. There was a series of seminars on issues juniors face and also a session on 'faith at work' where juniors were able to quiz Christian doctors in their chosen specialty about issues at the interface of Christianity and medicine. Overall it was a great weekend of teaching and fellowship. Junior doctors have unique needs and this annual conference, now in its eighth year has really filled a gap in CMF's ministry.

Student Leaders' Conference

The annual CMF Student Leaders' Conference took place from 26-28 September at the Gaines' Youth Centre in Worcestershire. Almost 60 student leaders in medicine, law, nursing and therapy joined together for 'Leaders Made Great by God'. Chris Downing, CMF South England staffworker, gave Bible addresses on Saul, David and Solomon, highlighting how God uses our frail humanity and weakness to accomplish his purposes in leadership. There were sessions on planning a programme, dealing with problems, personal issues of leadership and evangelism. It was a great time of encouragement at the start of the student year.

Student leaders from Tanzania and Holland joined the UK students along with the incoming ICMDA student secretary, Mark Chandra from Canada.

Summer Teams

As usual the summer was filled with CMF student/doctor trips to Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. This year we had teams go to Kursk, Tver and Samara (Russia), Simferopol (Ukraine), Bulgaria, Tirana (Albania), Osh (Kyrgystan) and Yerevan (Armenia). Local students invited their friends and organised venues for evangelistic camps, whilst the UK teams led sessions, ranging from evangelistic talks and discipleship issues, to medical ethics and practical medical skills. Local groups of Christian medical students were strengthened and a number of students became Christians.