Gulf Forum Seminar Options
Attendees at the AGCMF may only participate in one Stream during the conference, however, they may attend any of the afternoon seminars which cover topics from all Stream facilitators and speakers.
Attendees are able to choose four different seminars during the forum. See below for more information on each seminar topic.
Whole person family medicine - Hannes Steinberg
Dr Hannes Steinberg was born and grew up in Johannesburg and studied medicine there. As a young medical doctor, he worked at a rural Hospital in Limpopo province, South Africa, before being responsible for the training of Family Physicians for southern Africa at the department of Family Medicine at UFS in Bloemfontein.
He has been a member of CMF-RSA since undergraduate years and served on the executive in various positions during the last three decades. He is married to Ute Hallbauer, a paediatrician and they have 2 daughters, Miriam and Naomi.
ICMDA Training Opportunities - Hedwin Kadrianto
Hedwin is an Indonesian dentist with postgraduate study in Oral Medicine. He was born again in 2007, and since then has been involved in local and national student ministry through IFES and CMDF Indonesia. He is married to Ruth, a cardiologist, and they have two sons. In October 2016, he was appointed as an AEO for ICMDA's South East Asia student and junior graduate ministry; this was expanded to cover the Oceania region in 2020 and the East Asia region in 2022. His areas of interest are in the field of dentistry for people with HIV (including promoting equality of dental treatment access), anti-human trafficking, medical missions networking, advocacy and politics.
Building relationships with Muslims - Emil Shehadeh & Mark Pickering
Emil Shehadeh was born in Israel and educated mainly in the UK, achieving BSc Hons (Medical Biology), MSc (Biochemistry), MB ChB (Medicine), and a Diploma in Dermatology and MRCGP. Growing up in Israel, he accompanied his parents all over Galilee, spreading the Gospel amongst all communities including Muslims. He also worked with Child Evangelism Fellowship and OM. In the early 1990s, he co-founded an Arabic Church in Cardiff, S Wales. He practiced as a GP (Family Physician and a trainer) until 2016. Upon retirement, he dedicated his time to writing and speaking on the subject of Islam and evangelising Muslims. He supports evangelistic work amongst Muslims in North Africa and Nigeria. Emil has a PhD in Islamic Studies from Logos University and is engaged in another piece of research at LST, Northwood, on the Causes and Consequences of Muslim Conversions to Christianity. He believes that the expansion of the Kingdom of God must be the chief concern of the people of God.
Dr Mark Pickering is the Chief Executive of CMF (UK/Ireland). He is based in London where he also works as a secure environment GP (in prisons and similar institutions). He previously led student ministry for CMF UK and for ICMDA. In these roles he has developed many partnerships with organizations in student ministry, bioethics and advocacy, global mission and evangelism/apologetics. He has a long-term interest in apologetics, particularly around biblical reliability, Islam and science/faith issues.
Managing Money - Alex Bolek
Brother Alex studied medicine at the University of Oradea in Romania and has a Masters in Public and Tropical Health. He has worked as a GP and Medical Director in Khartoum, Sudan, and also for JHPIEGO and other international NGOs. He is the chairman of the CMDA in South Sudan, is the Africa Coordinator for ICMDA, and is the ICMDA Regional Secretary for East Africa. He is married to Helen and together they help care for 14 nephews and nieces.
Taking Bible Study to a Whole New Level - Odunayo Oluwatosin
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV). Bible study should depend entirely on Holy Spirit to unravel and reveal spiritual truths as He updates our personal belief system doctrinally and corrects … (2 Timothy 3:16). Usually, when the Bible is studied, people focus on information and intellectual interpretation is often with little approval from Holy Spirit who grants revelation for actionable programmes (1 Corinthians 2:9-10). Our goal in studying must be to seek revealed spiritual truths and go forth to be doers.
Odunayo M Oluwatosin, Professor of Surgery, graduated from University of Ibadan (UI) in 1979 and had his residency training at University College Hospital, Ibadan and in the United Kingdom. He became Head of Surgery at UI in 2004, President of the Nigerian Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (2005-2007), Dean, Faculty of Clinical Science, UI, (2006 – 2010), Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo (2017-2019), President of Christian Medical and Dental Association of Nigeria (2012 to 2016) and of International Christian Medical and Dental Association (West Africa) from 2014 to 2022. He is happily married and a teacher on Faith.
Faith Conversations with Patients - Gabor Gyori & Lucy Maasarani
Dr Gábor Győri is the Executive Director of IHS Global which works closely with Saline partnerships. At his first International Saline training in 1999, Gábor had an “Aha!” moment as he first realized how he could integrate his ministry and his job as a family physician! During the years since, he has had many opportunities to talk with patients and colleagues about Jesus. God has even allowed Gábor to see patients giving their lives to Him on a few occasions. It has become clear to Gábor that in the 21st century the frontiers of evangelization are at workplaces and recreational activities.
Healthcare Mission in the Middle East - Ehab Ayoub
Ehab studied Medicine in Cairo University, and later his Masters & Doctorate from the National Liver Institute, specialising in Internal Medicine and Hepatology. He is the head of internal medicine, ICU and the endoscopy unit of Harpur Memorial Hospital, Egypt, a Christian Hospital established 110 years ago. He is married to Nevein and they have two children.
Servant Leadership - Mulinda Nyirenda
This breakout session aims at exploring and encouraging the concept of “Servant Leadership” in the participants in today ’s environs. The main aim is to serve to influence ourselves to function biblically in our homes, workplaces, communities as Christ set the example for us.
Dr Mulinda Nyirenda is a Malawian vibrant clinical care provider, keen educator and avid researcher – practicing in Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine Specialties. She has been committed to the ICMDA family since her student years, playing a significant role in national and Southern Africa regional activities. Currently she is the interim Chair of CMDF Malawi, board member of ICMDA and coordinates the Africa Track of “Servant Leadership” course in ICMDA.
Building Bridges with Healthcare Leaders - Howard Lyons
Howard is the treasurer and UK representative on the ICMDA Board and is also a member of the Board of Christian Medical Fellowship in the UK.
He has worked mainly overseas in management and advisory roles with governments, private companies and agencies such as the World Bank and UN in the Middle East, Africa, the Far East and Latin America.
He was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s 90th Birthday Honours for services to healthcare management.
Serving the Victims of War in Ukraine - Herng-Der Chern
Since the 2022 Russia-Ukraine War, Taiwan CMA’s “United in Christ, Love from Taiwan” medical missions facilitated a $1.9M USD Burn Care Project from Taiwan’s government, partnering with various Christian and medical organizations, including CMA Ukraine. These efforts fostered long-term support with Ukrainian hospitals, the Ministry of Health, and others, leading to the creation of an ICMDA Global Special Interest Group for Ukraine Aid.
Dr. Herng-Der Chern, born in Chiayi, Taiwan in 1957, earned his M.D. from National Taiwan University (1983), became a board-certified gastroenterologist (1990), and received a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Pittsburgh (1994). He served as Clinical Pharmacology Director at NTUH and later led Taiwan’s Center for Drug Evaluation under the Ministry of Health. Retired since 2022, he now consults for the Taiwan Christian Medical Association and serves on ICMDA’s board. Dr. Chern coordinates Ukraine Appeal efforts in Taiwan since 2022. He and his wife, Alice, have one daughter, one son, and four grandchildren.
Alcohol and Drug Addiction - Alan Gijsbers
Dr Alan Gijsbers is a specialist physician in Addiction Medicine, an Honorary Clinical Associate Professor, and the first Medical Director of the Addiction Medicine Service at Royal Melbourne Hospital. He is Medical Director of the Substance Withdrawal Unit at the Melbourne Clinic Richmond. Alan is a Foundation Fellow in the chapter of Addiction Medicine of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and is a past chairman of the Victorian Addiction Inter-hospital Liaison Association. He is the national President of the Institute for the Study of Christianity in an Age of Science and Technology, and the past National President of Health Serve Australia.
Growing as a Disciple of Christ - Chris Steyn & Nurgul Mamyrova
Dr Chris Steyn is a South African–trained family physician and Christian leader who joined Healthcare Christian Fellowship International (HCFI) in 1981. Serving as CEO from 2004 to 2018, he now holds the role of HCFI President, based in the Netherlands. A disciple of Jesus since 1976, he is passionate about integrating faith, prayer and holistic healthcare, advocating transformation through compassionate service in global health ministries. Married to Elize, they have six children and thirteen grandchildren.
Nurgul is a doctor from Kyrgyzstan and currently practicing medicine in the UK.
She is involved in using the Disciple-Making Movement (DMM) course with students and juniors across Eurasia.
Finding good Christian Fellowship in the Gulf - Beda Robles
Bishop Beda S. Robles is a Philippine-born architect and Christian leader who has ministered in Qatar since 1987. He serves as Chairman of the Evangelical Churches Alliance Qatar (ECAQ), founded in 2005, now representing over 160 churches and roughly 17,000 – 20,000 believers of diverse nationalities. A practising interior designer at Al Muftah Group while pursuing full-time ministry, he co-founded Qatar Evangelical Churches and oversees the Tribes Nation Outreach Mission Academy and New Covenant Church mission outreach. Passionate about interfaith dialogue, he engages in community outreach to displaced workers and builds relationships across faiths through God’s love.
Sacred Leadership in healthcare - Mike Chupp
Mike Chupp graduated with a pre-med degree from Taylor University in 1984, and then received his medical degree from Indiana University in 1988. He completed a general surgery residency at Methodist Hospital in 1993, was board certified in 1995, and joined Southwestern Medical Clinic, a group dedicated to global healthcare missions.
From 1996 to 2016 he served at Tenwek Hospital Kenya including 19 years as medical director. Tenwek grew during Mike’s tenure to a clinical staff of over 80 physicians and clinical officers and more than 700 total staff. Mike returned to Bristol, Tennessee in 2016 to assume the role of CMDA Executive Vice President and in September 2019 took over from David Stevens as CEO of CMDA US. He is also a member of the ICMDA board. Mike is married to Pam and they have four children - Steven, Melody, Kayla and Ashley.
Healthcare Management - Vijay Aruldas
Dr Vijay Aruldas qualified as a medical doctor from Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), Vellore, India in 1986 and completed a doctorate in management at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, India. He served as General Secretary of Christian Medical Association of India, 2000-2012, has consulted extensively on strategy and programme design, and now serves in senior management at CMCH. Vijay has a passion for teaching, mentoring and witnessing through patient-centred care. He is married to Kumudha, a public health specialist and they have 2 sons.
Integrating into Gulf Society and Culture - Richard Bramble
Dr Richard Bramble is the Managing Director of Kanad Hospital. He has been a Family Medicine Consultant since 2002. Dr. Richard is a graduate of Cambridge University and obtained a distinction in his board exam. He worked as a doctor for a charity in Yemen for seven years, serving marginalized people, before returning to the UK and working in various roles in healthcare management. He joined Kanad in 2023 as Chief Quality Officer and Associate Chief Medical Officer, before becoming Managing Director in March 2025.
Clinical Leadership - Daniel Ojuka
In a world fraught with diverse healthcare challenges, leadership can offer hope and be a beacon of light in a dark world. This discussion will grapple with the question of:
1. How to navigate the complexities of contextual healthcare systems while staying true to their faith and mission.
2. How can Christian values empower healthcare professionals to foster collaborative, holistic patient care, enhance team dynamics, and promote ethical decision-making?
3. What are the key attributes of effective clinical leadership, and how can we cultivate them regardless of cultural or geographic differences?
4. How do we inspire a shared vision among diverse staff members?
The challenge is to embody Christ-like leadership that transcends boundaries, ensuring that compassion, integrity, and excellence define our clinical practices in every corner of the globe.
Daniel Ojuka is an Associate Professor of General Surgery at the University of Nairobi, specializing in breast oncoplastic surgery. He is also a board member of ICMDA.
Multiplying your Impact through teaching - Shari Falkenheimer
Sharon A. (“Shari”) Falkenheimer, MD MPH MA (Bioethics) PhD is board certified in Aerospace Medicine. She has over 40 years of experience in a variety of roles including teaching, applied research, clinical medicine, medical leadership and planning. She mentors the Albany (NY) Medical College CMDA group and has taught in 30 nations. Dr. Falkenheimer is an international advisory board member of the Christian Journal for Global Health, a member of the American Academy of Bioethics, a life member of the US Christian Medical & Dental Association, and the ICMDA Regional Secretary for North America.
The Divine Drama – Bible Overview - Peter Saunders
Dr. Peter Saunders trained as a general surgeon in Auckland, New Zealand before serving as a missionary doctor in Kenya. After theological training at All Nations Christian College, he then left clinical medicine and served with the Christian Medical Fellowship UK for 27 years, including eight years as Head of Student Ministries and 19 years as Chief Executive. At the same time, he served 13 years as Director of the Care Not Killing Alliance in end-of-life advocacy. In 2019, he became Chief Executive of the International Christian Medical & Dental Association (ICMDA), which brings together Christian medical and dental associations in more than 100 countries. His current work involves leadership training, teaching evangelism and ethics, medical missions, writing, editing and media work. Peter and his wife Kirsty live in St. Albans in the United Kingdom, and they have three sons and four grandchildren. They are members of Spicer Street Church St Albans.
