After dinner, it came time for the centerpiece of the evening.
Guests gathered in the living room and cracked open their Bibles
to discuss the passage of the evening from 1 Peter. Much of the
discussion centered on ideas in the text related to living out a
Christian life in the face of outside pressures and showing love
to others. Conversation was lively, with a diverse mix of points of
view from the older and younger in attendance combining to offer
new perspective in a collegial setting. The study concluded with
a time of prayer, as students prayed together for one another and
fellow classmates.
This week, the discussion was led by Chris Byrley, an associate
pastor in Louisville and a PhD student at the Baptist Seminary.
Byrley serves as an associate director for CMDA and is a son-in-law
to Dr. Hoagland. He’s been with the organization for several years
and rotates leading the discussions with other senior members.
“Students have told me that our weekly Bible studies and other
meetings have been a breath of fresh air for them, surrounded by
the pressures and anxieties of medical and dental school,” Byrley
said. “It’s a joy to see young people thrive in a community like ours.”
The Louisville CMDA has been going strong for more than 40
years, and has always focused on ways to reach medical and dental
students who are looking for a Christian community whose members understand the special pressures of learning and of practicing
medicine. The welcoming environment on display that Monday
night holds a fixed and happy place in this community. It has been
a part of medical and dental students’ lives for more than six years
as Dr. Hoagland has welcomed physicians, residents and students
into his home to celebrate the word of God and strengthen the
commitments that lend support during the most difficult
of days. Dr. Tom and Marcia
Benninger also host the Bible
studies in their home when the
Hoaglands are unable.
pect, KY, where he and his family attend. He has been a member of
CMDA for more than 20 years and has long served on the 12 person
physician and dentist CMDA council with Dr. Larson.
These health care professionals are two of the many who have been
instrumental in guiding CMDA and helping it grow to reach more
Christian students and to provide programs for doctors in practice.
Today, there are nearly 100 medical and dental students involved in
CMDA ministry and a dozen more veteran physicians and dentists.
In addition to Monday Bible studies, CMDA also hosts a noon
luncheon on Wednesdays at the U of L School of Medicine campus.
Each week features a guest speaker specializing in faith, dentistry
or medicine. While some students participate in both events, the
Wednesday luncheon is usually attended by a different group of
students due to class schedules. The topics include subjects such
as ethics, mission trips, practice management and the witness of
the Christian doctor.
Professionals’ Dinners are another part of CMDA’s ministry and
take place three to four times annually with up to 100 CMDA guests
gathering for an evening of fellowship, sharing and learning. “We
always have an inspiring speaker with a message that is meaningful
to students, doctors and their spouses,” Dr. Larson said. “I think the
doctor members of CMDA appreciate the opportunities to discuss
practice and faith issues with other physicians and dentists who
have a similar set of values. It’s a great resource.”
A very popular topic at these dinners over the last three years
has been on mental illness and the relevance of the Christian faith.
Dr. Brian Briscoe, a psychiatrist and council member, has taken
(continued on page 20)
A great crowd at Monday's Bible study.
“At the beginning of the Bible studies, we had seven to
10 committed students,” Dr.
Hoagland recalled. “Now, we
have between 25 and 35 on average. The split is pretty equal
between medical and dental as
well, which was not the case
early on.”
Dr. Hoagland is a general
surgeon who spent 27 years in
private practice before recently
stepping away to pursue theological studies and participate
more fully at Throne of Grace
Community Church in ProsFEBRUARY 2016
19