|
Greetings friends,
I want to take a moment to introduce myself and share my thoughts on the future of the Fellowship of Christian Physician Assistants.
I am a graduate of the University of Florida P.A. program, class of 1980. My wife, Pam and I have 5 grown sons. Two of the boys were married this past year and we have two amazing, beautiful daughters-in-law. Our oldest son Brendan went to be with the Lord when he was 15 years old in 1997. Our youngest, Luke, is currently at University of Florida and will graduate and commission into the Air Force ROTC this spring. I made a profession of faith and gave my heart to Christ 25 years ago. Currently I work at two rural health clinics in Central Florida. I love my profession and I love my Lord. My wife and I enjoy ministering in the youth group at our church and we also love going on short-term mission trips as often as possible.
It is a great honor and privilege to serve the Board of Directors and membership of FCPA. I appreciate the work and the efforts of current FCPA leadership and those that have lead before me. I agree with and remind you all of the FCPA Statement of Faith which says, “We are an evangelical organization with theological distinction.” FCPA has tried to minister to our members, but with limited time and means we have primarily become a fellowship that comes together for encouragement, worship and networking once a year at the national AAPA Conference. That time has always been a great time of refreshing!
God gives us remarkable resources to love people and fulfill His Great Commission. He gives us gifts to use as we minister to the “least of these” and to those that seem to have the “most of ease.” I believe the ministry of FCPA can be a conduit of encouragement, wisdom, opportunity and insight as we minister to our patients.
We are now at the brink of merging with the Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA). The mission statement of CMDA is …”Christian Medical & Dental Associations exists to glorify God—by motivating, educating and equipping Christian doctors and students.” The interesting thing is that the leadership of CMDA has recently begun to feel a need to become more inclusive of the rest of the modern medical team. With the current “team” approach to healthcare becoming a priority, they see the need to enlarge their umbrella also. There are obvious benefits to this inclusiveness, particularly as we look at the future of medicine. These include improving our ability to minister to our patients and families as well as maintaining a united position on the current ethical issues.
The ministry of CMDA currently has about 16,500 members and about 30,000 folks are accessing the ministry. There are 45 ministries functioning under CMDA. There are over 350 student and graduate small groups in 194 cities across the country. They sponsored and directed 47 mission trips last year throughout the world. The ministry employs about 110 employees. Half of the employees are in the home office in Bristol, Tennessee. FCPA would become a “section” under their organization.
I have recently joined CMDA and have discovered that they are an amazing gift to those of us who see our jobs as a calling as well as a profession. My only regret is that I did not tap into their resources earlier in my career. The heart of CMDA is where my heart is also. I encourage you to join too! In doing so, you will automatically become part of the FCPA section. Join online at www.joincmda.org or request a packet of information by contact Member Services at memberservices@cmda.org.
If you simply need to make a dues payment, you may do that online at www.cmda.org/paydues or by mailing your payment to PO Box 7500, Bristol, TN 37621.
Feel free to contact our member services team with any questions you may have. They can be reached by email at fcpa@cmda.org and by phone at 423/844-1000 or toll free at 888/230-2637.
Please be in prayer as we seek the Lord’s will for FCPA. We only want the Father’s plan for our fellowship. He has only good things in mind for us personally and corporately.
May the Lord bless all of your households and your ministries!
Looking Forward,
George G. Gavin PA-C
George G. Gavin
President FCPA
|
