This means CMF needs to find a successor. We are looking for a Christian doctor with experience of student ministry and a passion for developing the many exciting aspects of the student work at CMF. This would be full time or nearly full time (compatible with up to one day of clinical medicine a week), based in the London office.
If you're interested in finding out more, email peter.saunders@cmf.org.uk and check out our website – see the link from the homepage at www.cmf.org.uk. Many of you will not be in a position to consider this for yourselves, but do encourage anyone you think might be suitable, and, above all, please pray!
New staff
I'm delighted to announce that Laurence Crutchlow has been appointed a regional staffworker in London, mainly supporting the five London medical schools. Laurence is well known to CMF, having chaired our student committee, been an intern with us, and been active recently on the West Midlands committee. Having trained as a GP, he and his wife Abi have now moved back to Surrey where she is undertaking psychiatry training and Laurence is part time as a salaried GP and two days a week with CMF for the next two years.
He has already found his feet and given solid support to the London schools – welcome back Laurence! You can contact laurence@cmf.org.uk if you'd like to hear what he's up to, support him financially, or receive his prayer letter.
Regional events
On 7-9 November Alex Bunn and I helped lead an Irish conference near Dublin – the first for a few years. Around 50 students and ten graduates came together for teaching on 'Answering Other Faiths', and a range of seminars. Five out of the seven schools in Ireland were represented, including a big cross-border contingent from Belfast. Galway and Limerick, the two missing schools, are the only two medical schools in the whole of the UK and Ireland where CMF is not represented – please pray for contacts.
We looked at God's plan throughout history, the importance of worldviews, understanding the key distinctive features of Christianity, and utilising Paul's methods from Acts 17. We should identify the truth people of other religions already have, prosecute the false beliefs that keep them from understanding God as he is, then invite them to consider Jesus in ways that resonate with their own understanding and culture.
We heard inspiring testimonies from participants who had come to Christ from Hindu and Buddhist backgrounds – a fitting end to a great weekend.
The same weekend, 27 Northern students from Manchester, Leeds, Durham and Hull/York came together in Leeds, also for evangelism training but this time using CMF's well-known 'Confident Christianity' material. It was a great weekend of fun and fellowship, especially seeing the new York group take their place.
On 27 October, CMF students in Dundee welcomed 300 people from across Scotland to hear an excellent debate on 'This house believes that physicianassisted suicide should not be legalised in Scotland'. An impressive range of speakers included MSP Jeremy Purvis, whose own assisted dying bill had failed in the Scottish Parliament. In a robust threehour event, the arguments were given a very good airing.
John Patrick tour
Based in Canada, Dr John Patrick is a well-known speaker on the ICMDA circuit. From 13- 17 October he did his first UK tour, giving nine talks in eight medical schools on subjects such as 'Can we be good without God?' and 'What Hippocrates knew and we have forgotten'. Over 400 came to hear him, and it was hugely encouraging for the student groups involved. You can listen to some of his talks at www.johnpatrick.ca
Freshers joining
During the first month of the academic year 94 students from 30 different medical schools joined CMF. Many did so online at www.cmf.org.uk/fellowship/ signup (currently only for students joining). Students are our lifeblood so new members are always exciting. Do you have friends you can encourage to join? It's free for the first year and only £12 a year after that.
To the ends of the earth
National Student Conference will soon be upon us – 13-15 February. Steve Brady from Moorlands College will be teaching from Revelation and CMF chairman Trevor Stammers will consider 'Sex and the Maker's Instructions'. There will be the usual excellent range of seminars and we hope to fill The Hayes once more with students from the UK, Ireland and further afield. Plan to be there and bring a group from your medical school! Brochures available from laura.risdale@cmf.org.uk or download from www.cmf.org.uk
Mark Pickering is Head of Student Ministries until February.
