'When we find faith, it involves following the call of the God of mission and becoming participants in it' Paul Bendor-Samuel
February 2018 saw 350 students gather at Yarnfield Park in Staffordshire for the CMF Student Conference. The Bible talks were given by Dr Paul Bendor-Samuel, the medically-qualified Executive Director of the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. Paul reminded us that most commercial enterprises have a mission statement, spelling out their purpose. McDonalds says it wants to be 'our customers favourite place and way to eat and drink'. Thankfully God's mission is rather more important! Ephesians 1:10 offers a classic statement of God's eternal plan: 'to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ'. Paul's three talks described this great mission statement of God's, and our role as medical and nursing students and professionals in his plans.
The main talks were complemented by a choice from 18 seminars, of which students could attend four. Along with perennial favourite topics such as FY1 Survival and Psychiatry, this year included discussions on Artificial Intelligence, 'Serving without Sinking', and Singleness.
Evening entertainment included a ceilidh, film viewing, and a chance to catch up on the England v Wales match from earlier in the afternoon.
the main talks...
Very easy to follow and full of biblical truths. His own anecdotes made it more memorable.
the main talks...
Really clear talks on a solid overarching theme — made me excited and realistic about mission work in a way I haven't been before.
the main talks...
Very challenging and a great reminder of what we are on this earth for and our purpose as followers of Jesus.
the main talks...
Loved thinking about uncertainty and patience waiting for God when he says 'no' to certain things...
the seminars
I've been a Christian for five months so it was an incredible help for me and also when explaining my faith to my friends
the seminars
Really appreciated this seminar, made me feel a bit more confident about F1, or at least that others were feeling the same as I was!
the seminars
Faith / reason — Really interesting and helped me to strengthen my faith. It looked at reason from a great perspective and clearly explained.
the main talks...
Thanks SO much for giving me the opportunity to renew my faith and re-align my priorities in life
the seminars
One of the most excellent speakers I've heard so far on the topic and I've been to a few as I've been single for more than a decade now.
the seminars
It was so helpful to see the compassionate approach, building on the theology of last year's abortion seminar to make it clinically applicable (re abortion seminar).
the seminars
She was kind, innovative, social media savvy, wise, funny, thoughtful and single herself! It really was very very good.
