Salt & Light
Nurse educators have limitless opportunities to influence the knowledge and character of future leaders in nursing. We thank God for nurse faculty who reflect his love among nursing students!
Nurses Christian Fellowship provides spiritual inspiration for the academic journey, networking with other educators, and encourages the pursuit of Christian scholarship.
Many NCF student groups depend on faculty advisors, who offer guidance to chapter leaders and encourage them in their faith and nursing education. An NCF faculty advisor provides continuity for the student chapter year-to-year and serves as a valuable liaison with the nursing school.
If you are a nurse educator, here are resources to assist you personally and academically in your significant work with nursing students: http://ncf-jcn.org/nurses/ncf-nurse-educators-ministry.
Member Benefits
NCF members, do you need a refresher course on your benefits? Here are some tips on how to make the most of your membership.
Go to http://ncf-jcn.org/member-benefits and LOG IN with your username and password on the secure website of InterVarsity/NCF. Review all your MEMBER BENEFITS, including free and discounted CE and upcoming member video chats and journal clubs.
While you're logged in, VIEW and EDIT your personal profile and get comfortable with our new, updated membership system. Keep your postal address current so you don't miss any issues of Journal of Christian Nursing.
When you RENEW your annual membership, review your personal information and update as needed. You can download your membership CARD, if needed for your place of employment.
Thank you for your membership in Nurses Christian Fellowship!
JCN Problems?
NCF members who need help with their JCN print subscription or online account should contact LWW Member Services at 866-489-0443 or mailto:[email protected].
Intersections
This year marks the 70th anniversary of Nurses Christian Fellowship. Throughout our long history, thousands of nurses, nursing students, and educators have discovered a deeper and richer relationship with God that fuels their faith and nursing practice.
Many nurses have found support and encouragement through local NCF groups that meet to study Scripture and pray for each other. Here are stories from some group leaders.
Jailu, the leader of the NCF group in Hawaii, said, "Our nurses in clinical practice hunger for fellowship. We meet every month in SPA gatherings: Study, Pray, Act. We text prayers and Scripture readings every day to encourage each other." Jailu is experiencing a serious health problem, yet she finds joy in providing leadership for the group.
Natalie arrived in Atlanta, Georgia, last year with a desire to lead a local group for nurses. Today the Atlanta NCF group provides a place of support and spiritual growth for young nurses. Natalie reminds us, "Nursing is not just a job; it's a ministry!"
Tara is a nurse at an outpatient cancer center in Idaho. This year she started a Bible study, using NCF resources. The group members tell her, "This is the best part of my week," and "I love starting my day this way." Tara said, "Our workplace Bible study has been a light in the dark for me and many others. Thank you, NCF, for helping my faith grow and for enabling me to reach and teach others."
This year the NCF nurse group in Delaware raised funds to give a scholarship to a graduate student in nursing, during an event celebrating National Nurses Week. Applicants wrote essays on how they will use their Christian values in their nursing practice.
Laginia (Gene) entered nursing decades ago to be a missionary nurse and came to the United States to work as a nurse. During a time of career crisis, she attended an NCF workshop and met Grace Wallace, a former NCF national director. Gene remembers, "Through Grace's mentoring, I had a renewed spiritual perspective and remained in nursing. Grace pointed out that my work is where God wants me to serve him, not necessarily in the mission field." Today Gene is one of the leaders of the NCF group in New York City and encourages other nurses in their faith and practice.
Find out if there is a local NCF group near you or consider starting an NCF group for nurses in your community. Learn more at http://ncf-jcn.org/nurses.
From the NCF Director
Several years ago, NCF envisioned a Student Ministries Director (SMD) to lead student ministry, and a Professional Ministries Director (PMD) to lead nurse ministry and serve our members. In July 2016, as I became national director, God led Tim Lin to become the SMD. Under Tim's leadership and God's blessing, student ministry has thrived! We created the PMD role and prayed and waited...and prayed...and waited. At times I wondered, had we missed God's instructions? In May 2018, I decided to put yet another call for the PMD in our monthly member eNewsletter, Charting the Way.
To my surprise, a nurse contacted me. She had a great job but sensed God calling her to something new. I held my breath. She applied, and we began to meet. Over the next 6 weeks, God confirmed for her and NCF that indeed, he was calling her to be the PMD.
I am thrilled to announce Christy Secor, DNP, RN, CDWF, as the NCF Professional Ministries Director!
Once again, God has confirmed his faithfulness. I'm reminded of the ancient words in Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV), "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Join me in praying for Christy, as she helps lead NCF! Learn more about NCF nurse ministry at http://ncf-jcn.org/nurses.
-Kathy Schoonover-Shoffner, PhD, RN, NCF National Director and Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Christian Nursing
On Campus
Urbana 18 is coming soon! There is no greater catalyst in world missions than the triennial Urbana missions conference. In fact, Billy Graham once estimated that "half of North American missionaries can trace their vocational call, at least in part, to Urbana."
This year, 15,000 college students and other young adults from across North America will gather in St. Louis, Missouri, from December 27 to 31, 2018, to prayerfully discern their place in God's global mission.
Many of these students will be interested in healthcare missions-and Nurses Christian Fellowship (NCF) will be present to provide prayer and guidance for these participants. Nursing students can choose from numerous seminars devoted to healthcare missions. In the exhibit hall, they can interact with missionaries from hundreds of mission agencies.
Also, for the first time, NCF will host the Healthcare Students and Professionals Lounge, a dedicated space for missions coaching, networking, and discernment. NCF staff and volunteers will be available for conversations in the lounge, along with representatives from other healthcare mission organizations.
As you read this column, the NCF staff team is making final preparations to host missional healthcare students in our lounge and other conference venues. Will you join us in prayer for the Urbana missions conference?
1. Ask God to raise up a new generation of nurses committed to serving others worldwide through global healthcare missions.
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead nursing students to our lounge and guide the conversations and prayer that will take place there.
If you know a current nursing student who is interested in missions, please direct them to https://urbana.orgformoreinformation about the conference. Thank you for praying for Urbana, and may God move powerfully among these future missionaries!
-Timothy Lin, MA, NCF Student Ministries Director and Senior Area Director in Kansas with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA