On the weekend of 12-14 November 2010, we hosted the annual Irish CMF conference in Greystones, County Wicklow, just south of Dublin. The weekend's teaching centred on CMF's Confident Christianity course. 49 students representing six Irish medical schools joined us from Dublin, Cork, Belfast and – for the first time – Galway! They were joined by 11 doctors, including Giles Cattermole and Matt Lillicrap from CMF, who along with former staffworker Tim Lewis delivered the Confident Christianity programme. We were helped to prepare ourselves for opportunities to share our faith with our peers.

Particularly well received was the last session, in which pairs of students were put on the spot to answer one of the 'Seven Deadly Questions' (for example, 'Is Christ the only way to God?' or 'Isn't the Bible full of errors?') in a role playing scenario. Although many students found it daunting, everyone agreed that it was a valuable exercise and felt prompted to prepare for future real-life scenarios involving those inevitable questions.

Other doctors and two final year medical students were involved in men's and ladies' panels, facilitating discussion about issues men and women face in careers as doctors. Morning praise, prayer and devotion time was an opportunity for students to enjoy the beautiful sun streaming across the seafront and in through the windows – not to mention a chance to worship God, learn from his word and join united in prayer for CMF in Ireland.

The weekend of fellowship was enjoyed by all, particularly those students from the Republic of Ireland, where CMF groups are smaller than in Northern Ireland. The conference offered an opportunity for students to spend time with local peers, but also a chance to meet students from other schools and to be encouraged by their experiences and local CMF activities. We were particularly excited to have a student join us from Galway, where there is currently no established CMF group. Our prayer for next year's conference is to have every Irish medical school represented, including Galway and Limerick where there are currently no CMF groups, so that we can be effectively taking what we learn to all corners of this island!

A great combination of teaching and fellowship (including some rugby on the beach), this year's Irish CMF Conference was a blessing to many students who are now encouraged and inspired to live out 1 Peter 3:15-16 in our lives as Christian medics.

Do not be afraid of anyone and do not worry... Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:14-16 (GNB)

Andrea Burke is a clinical medical student in Cork