Sometimes we find ourselves burdened with the busyness and exhaustion of our day-to-day routines. This is certainly true for our healthcare students, who face heavy workloads and clinical training that often leaves them wondering why they entered healthcare in the first place.

This past weekend, roughly 60 healthcare students, residents and physicians from around the city held a mini-retreat at my church in response to Jesus’ call to rest in him. It was short – just 5 hours – but its impact far, far outweighed the time that was spent. Through vibrant worship, messages tailored toward faith and medicine, informal fellowship, and a small group that personalized Christ’s Cross to our lives, we came away renewed and ready to re-enter “the daily grind.”

As for my role, I had the opportunity to give significant input during the planning process, recommend one of our speakers, and offer our church for the event. During the retreat, I had many wonderful conversations with the students, our speakers and Scott Boyles, the Northeast Regional Director for CMDA (Christian Medical & Dental Association). Next week, I will be following up with one of our speakers (Dr. Corson) about his vision for local medical ministry, as well as with Scott about how we can work together to reach healthcare students and professionals in the city. I also anticipate processing the retreat with several of the student leaders from PCOM. As you can see, the value of the retreat goes far beyond the few hours it was held!

Thank you so much for making opportunities like this one possible. Christ is doing great things in and among Philadelphia’s healthcare community!

Warmly,
Bryan & Sharon

For prayer & praise:

• Pray that the work God did among those who attended would last, and continue, in the coming weeks. In particular, pray that students would respond to the messages, desire Christ more fervently and find their rest in him, and that continue to encourage each other even when academic life makes that challenging.
• Praise God for a simply phenomenal time of ministry to those who came. Everyone left refreshed, encouraged and reconnected to the Lord and others.
• Pray for similar events in the future that already are being planned for next year.
• Pray for fruitful follow-up conversations with Dr. Corson and Scott Boyles.