In the New Testament we often find people crossing cultural barriers in order to communicate Christ. Paul is an outstanding example; in Athens we find him quoting secular poets and speaking of an altar to an unknown God at the most popular public meeting place, the Areopagus. He then proceeds to proclaim Christ and his resurrection. Among the farming communities in Lystra and Derbe, he speaks of the God who brings the rain and crops in their seasons and to the Jews he quotes freely from their Old Testament scriptures.

How well do we cross cultural barriers within CMF UK? Are we even aware that there may be some barriers to cross? It was interesting to read in Triple Helix last autumn that 40% of the UK's doctors are International Medical Graduates (IMGs). Sadly many of them are Christians who have little contact with CMF.

This year we shall be aiming two special Saline Solution events towards different communities. On 20 May there will be a Saline Solution day in the Chinese Church in London; the day will be open to all and we hope specifically to draw many Christian Healthcare professionals of Chinese origin. Do encourage anyone you know who might be interested to come.

In June we shall be holding a special invitation Saline Solution day for doctors from India and doctors of Indian origin within the UK. If you know of anyone who might be interested to come, I'll be pleased to hear from you.

We also recognise that there are many Christian doctors of African origin in the UK, who have little contact with CMF. In what ways could we address that in the future?

How much is our fellowship within CMF limited by the culture within which we operate and the style with which we are familiar? Within our local and regional meetings do we need to make an extra effort to reach some who have not made contact with us yet?

Let us emulate Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:19, 22 & 23:

'Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.'