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 Upcoming events for 2000!

SMA started off as a medical student group years ago when some of the students at the time realised that there was a need for Christians to meet together regularly. Last year we began to include the dental students. They are in a similar situation to us in that they are in a relatively small group of students for many years.

For the first time in SMA we have broadened our vision to include other healthcare faculties off UWA in our bigger events with the hope of encouraging Christian healthcare students to meet together on their own campus.

The vision for SMA Interfaculty is two-fold.

1. "To encourage fellowship and a sense of unity amongst the healthcare professions"

 

And through this :

 

2. "To impart a vision to reach out to your own year groups for Jesus Christ"

The first part of the vision will be accomplished by :

1. Extending a warm welcome to nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and pharmacy students (to start with) for our large events (including two camps).
2. Finding representatives from each faculty and eventually each year group who want to participate in this vision.
3. Incorporating you into our "buddy system" which comprises of medical and dental students from all year groups.

If you've ever been to the cafeteria in any hospital, there is a clear division between all the workers. Wouldn't it be great to see a nurse sitting next to a doctor, next to a physio, next to an occupational therapist? Breaking down barriers is important, as you can imagine, because one day we will all be working together at least for a few years in a hospital. Regardless of your profession, Christian love should extend beyond any differences we have. Lets begin that work today!

As you can imagine, this is a huge undertaking, and we need to have leaders step up who feel the calling of God on their lives. God doesn't look for "talented" people. He's not looking for Mr or Miss Charismatic. He's looking for someone to say "Here I am". Is that you?

The second part of the vision is the most important. Through meeting with you, our aim is that God spreads a fire into your campus. SMA has been very effective as part of the body of Christ in UWA. It is our prayer that Curtin healthcare faculties will capture the vision and have its own student Christian body. This body does not neccesarily need to have anything to do with SMA at all, it will be up to the leaders, however, the most important thing is that the body of Christ within Curtin healthcare rises up to make a difference.

Other than being in the healthcare field, your courses are also similar to medicine and dentistry in that you will be with the same relatively small group of students for a number of years. You eventually become a very close-knit group.

It is in this context that a Christian group would be highly effective, both in fellowship and in evangelism.

It is very difficult as a "lone-ranger" Christian to stay on track with God, let alone reach out to your friends. Church care groups are very important, however, they do not provide as much of a support as a university group would. There are many issues that would be difficult to discuss with people outside your field.

There are some Christian groups already in your campus, but I would encourage the rest of you to follow their examples. Even if meeting together with other Christians does not benefit you personally, it will definitely benefit the people around you. Seeing the body of Christ "as one" is a testimony to everyone around you that you are disciples of Christ.

The whole point of extending our boundaries is that we want to break down the barriers between different health professions, hence, it is up to you whether it becomes 'healthcare' group rather than a 'medical and dental group'. The dental students initially had a similar reaction, but we have integrated well since then.

The bible is very clear that the body of Christ should be one hence I believe that this move is God's vision, not mine or SMA's. God is always looking for vessels. Will you be that "one person" to make an impact in Curtin?

SMA leaders are busy doing things at UWA campus, hence it is vital that if anything is going to happen, we need to have strong leaders rising up in Curtin.

I can see that SMA is more like a spark rather than the wood that keeps the fire burning. We are here to give you a spark, and it is up to you guys to keep it burning!

Regular meetings with Christians in your course may not be what you need. However, I pray that you would ask God what He wants you to do. I believe that the Holy Spirit in you will agree that being a part of the body of Christ at Curtin is His will. Whether this means joining another Christian group or starting your own is between you and God. It depends on your course structure as to whether a Christian group in your course would be worthwhile. However, I can say that meeting together at UWA has definitely been beneficial for us and for those around us.

Excellent! Please contact one of the SMA reps on your campus, or feel free to email me at : song@tartarus.uwa.edu.au for more information.

I supposed then I should just tell you that SMA is well known for our dessert nights, so come along!!!