Standing Firm: A Call to Courage from Ambassador Sam Brownback
This week’s episode of CMDA Matters features a powerful message recorded live at our National Convention in Saint Louis. Former U.S. Senator, Kansas Governor, and Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, shares a heartfelt, humorous, and deeply convicting call to courage. From stories of auctioneering school to insights gained at 35,000 feet, Ambassador Brownback challenges believers in healthcare to live out truth boldly in a culture desperate for it.
Whether you’re a student, a seasoned clinician, or someone searching for renewed purpose in your calling, this episode will remind you why your faith and your vocation are inseparable.
If this episode encouraged you, take a moment to share it with a friend, colleague, or someone in your church connected to healthcare. It’s a simple way to help us grow and keep sharing conversations that matter. Be sure to follow the podcast on social media to stay connected, encouraged, and up to date. And to learn more about how CMDA is equipping healthcare professionals for such a time as this, be sure to visit cmda.org and learn how.
If you’ve never experienced a CMDA convention or retreat, we’d love for you to make this fall the time you join us. There are two incredible opportunities coming up – one for our Midwesterners, and one for our Northeasterners:
First, for those in the Midwest, don’t miss the Midwest Fall Conference, a long-standing favorite in the CMDA community, now celebrating its 35th year. It’s happening September 26 – 28 at the beautiful Maranatha Retreat Center on the shores of Lake Michigan. This weekend offers thoughtful teaching, meaningful fellowship, worship, and rest – with speakers like Dr. Farr Curlin, Dr. Stephen Ko, and a special panel featuring Dr. Carl Trueman. You can earn up to six CME credits, and there’s a full children’s program for kids 12 and under – making it a great experience for individuals or the whole family. Whether you come for the sessions or the quiet moments on the beach, we hope you’ll leave refreshed.
Then, for those in the Northeast, we invite you to join us for the Northeast Regional Retreat, happening October 24 – 26, 2025, at Sandy Cove Ministries in North East, Maryland. This year’s theme is Faith Embodied, led by Dr. Stephen Ko, a pediatrician and preventive medicine physician at Massachusetts General Brigham in Boston who has been our guest several times on this podcast. It’s a meaningful time to explore both physical and spiritual health alongside other Christian healthcare professionals and students. Continuing Education credits are available, and there’s a $25 early bird discount through August 1. First-time attendees can also find an additional discount code on the event page. Learn more about both events and register at cmda.org/events.
Meet Our Guest(s):
Sam Brownback, Co-chair, International Religious Freedom Summit
Senior Fellow, Global Christian Relief
Sam Brownback served as Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom from February 2018 to January 2021. He served as Governor of Kansas from 2011 to 2018. Prior to that, he represented his home state in the United States Senate and the House of Representatives. While a member of the Senate, he worked actively on the issue of religious freedom in multiple countries and was a key sponsor of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. Ambassador Brownback currently serves as co-chair of the International Religious Freedom Summit and is a Senior Fellow at Global Christian Relief. He is also chairman of the National Committee for Religious Freedom.
