Our new Overseas Support Secretary, Peter Armon joined the CMF staff on 1 December:
Peter, tell us something about your early background
I was born and brought up in London’s East End and converted under the ministry of Billy Graham. I was a medical student at Charing Cross Hospital, qualifying in 1965 and marrying Carol the previous year.
Have you any children?
Yes, we have three sons, all married, and three grandchildren.
Where have you worked in the past?
After junior hospital posts in England I worked as a district medical officer in Malawi for three years, responsible for developing maternity services. After training in obstetrics and gynaecology in the UK I worked as a consultant at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Tanzania. We returned to the UK in 1978 when I was appointed consultant in O & G in South Cumbria. I left this post to take up missionary work in Spain and North Africa in 1990.
How did that come about?
Through the contact of family members and young people in World Horizons, which we joined full time and so moved to Spain. We helped to set up a prayer, training and outreach base there.
Didn’t you also work in Gibraltar?
Yes, as an obstetrician and by setting up a World Horizons team in Gibraltar. This was in order to support missionaries working in North Africa and to encourage, envision and educate local churches about mission.
Have you experienced any major turning points in your life?
1972 was one, when we were called to mission in Tanzania. We knew we should go and get alongside those doing mission, to care for them. Another major call was in 1990, giving up full time medicine to go to Spain. And a year ago I had a heart attack which made me reconsider my life and led into this job with CMF.
How do you see the job at CMF developing?
I’m not sure yet, there’s lots to learn. Getting alongside missionaries in a supportive role is certainly important. That may no longer be by going overseas, but I still hope to be there for people working overseas and develop personal links where possible.
Are you happy to be back in the UK?
Carol and I are surprised at the culture shock we are experiencing! Of course, as well as the changes in life and medicine in the UK we have both changed too. Is there anything we can pray for on your behalf?
Thank you. Well, that we settle into the UK effectively and that I learn quickly in this new post. Also for many dear friends left behind.
Thanks for everything David
David Clegg retired at the end of December. David has served as CMF Overseas Support Secretary and MMA HealthServe General Secretary since 1995, and in this role oversaw the relaunch of MMA HealthServe as a new organisation promoting healthcare mission, with its own premises, publications, website and magazine. David brought to the job not only extensive medical missionary experience as a obstetrician/gynaecologist in Southern Africa, but also a passionate concern for the welfare and support of medical missionaries and for the world’s poor. During his time as CMF Overseas Support Secretary our ministry in supporting and equipping missionary members and elective students grew appreciably. Thanks so much David for all you have done and for all those you have encouraged in taking Christ’s commission ‘to preach and to heal’ to the ends of the earth.
New Publications Assistant
Jacky Engel has just started a part-time role as Publications/Ethics Assistant in the London office for six months. She will be helping in the areas of literature research, writing, sub-editing, desk-top publishing, and web authoring. Jacky completed a degree in Medical Sciences at Birmingham University in 1998, and after two years research at the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at Birmingham University, she is now doing an MA in Medical Ethics and Law at Kings College London. Welcome to the team Jacky!
