About the event
Our annual Friendraiser is our biggest gathering of the year with over 200 people in 2022. Yes, it is a fundraiser, but it is so much more. We want to help build relationships, introduce new people to the Christian community, and encourage each other as we face the difficulties and challenges of being a believer in an increasingly secular profession.
The main purpose of this event is to build up the Body of Christ. If you end the evening having made a new friend, or reconnected with an old one, we are happy. If you are encouraged by a testimony or challenged by the speaker, mission complete. And if you just enjoy a nice evening out in a lovely place with great food, then success has been achieved.
Our awesome speaker, Sean McDowell
Sean McDowell is a gifted communicator with a passion for equipping the church, and in particular young people, to make the case for the Christian faith. He connects with audiences in a tangible way through humor and stories while imparting hard evidence and logical support for viewing all areas of life through a biblical worldview. Sean is an associate professor in the Christian Apologetics program at Biola University. He is the Resident Scholar for Summit California.
In 2008, he received the Educator of the Year award for San Juan Capistrano, Calif. The Association of Christian Schools International awarded Exemplary Status to his apologetics training. Sean is listed among the top 100 apologists. He graduated summa cum laude from Talbot School of Theology with a master’s degree in theology and another in philosophy. He earned a doctorate in Apologetics and Worldview Studies in 2014 from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Traveling throughout the United States and abroad, Sean speaks at camps, churches, schools, universities and conferences. He has spoken for organizations including Focus on the Family, the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview, Backyard Skeptics, Cru, Youth Specialties, Hume Lake Christian Camps, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Association of Christian Schools International. Sean has also appeared as a guest on radio shows such as The Michael Medved Show, Family Life Today, Point of View, Stand to Reason, Common Sense Atheism and the Hugh Hewitt Show. Sean has been quoted in many publications, including the New York Times.
Sean is the author, co-author or editor of over 18 books including So The Next Generation Will Know (David C. Cook, 2019), Sharing the Good News with Mormons (Harvest House, 2018), Evidence that Demands a Verdict (Harper Collins, 2017), A New Kind of Apologist (Harvest House, 2016); The Beauty of Intolerance (Barbour, 2016); The Fate of the Apostles (Routledge, 2015); Same-Sex Marriage: A Thoughtful Approach to God’s Design for Marriage (Baker, 2014); Is God Just a Human Invention? (Kregel, 2010) and Understanding Intelligent Design (Harvest House, 2008). Sean has also written multiple books with his father, Josh McDowell, including The Unshakable Truth, More Than A Carpenter and Evidence that Demands a Verdict. Sean is the general editor for The Apologetics Study Bible for Students. He has also written for YouthWorker Journal, Decision Magazine and the Christian Research Journal. Follow the dialogue with Sean as he blogs regularly at seanmcdowell.org.
The schedule
6pm-6:45 VIP Meet and Greet
6:15-7pm Gathering and social time
7pm Dinner
7:45 Sean McDowell
8:45 Conclude
The venue
The JB Duke Hotel is conveniently located on Duke's campus at 230 Science Drive. This modern version of elegance is known for it's wonderful food, excellent staff and engaging atmosphere. The Grand Ballroom seats up to 280 people and we hope to pack the house!
What people say about TCMDA
UNC SOM
“I joined TCMDA to find a community of Christians at Duke, and I have found exactly that. Through TCMDA, I have connected with peers at Duke, students at UNC, and faculty. It has made me feel supported to know and connect with fellow Christians in medicine. I know that I have people to turn to and examples of the type of physician and Christian that I want to be, and this has impacted me greatly.”
Kelly
Duke SOM
TCMDA is a great way for students to strengthen their faith and to learn about the importance of the integration of faith and medicine as they embark on a career in health care.
Rick
UNC Faculty
Our sponsors & ministry partners
