Christian Veterinary Mission challenges, empowers, and facilitates veterinary professionals to serve others by living out their faith. Dr. Neil Connery is a Canadian veterinarian whose story represents those of many CVM friends as they journey through the profession using it as ministry. You are a part of these stories of life change as well when you support CVM! Check out the story below.
Dr. Neil Connery’s Story:
“It was October 1990, and I had just started my first year in veterinary school in Dublin, Ireland. I wanted to be a light for Jesus, so I pinned an advertisement for a Bible study on the noticeboard. No students showed up but one of the professors did! Dr. Evans and I met weekly to study and pray for the college.
One night, one of my classmates, Conor, came knocking on my door! He was a bit drunk, but I could see he was distressed. He said that he ‘wanted what I had.’ I explained all I had was a relationship with my Creator. I sent him home to sober up but went to him the next morning. Later that day he knelt at Jesus’ feet in repentance! Conor joined the meeting the following week and I guess a Christian Veterinary Fellowship (CVF) was born, although I didn’t know about CVM yet.
Roll forward to 2001, and as a third-year resident in small animal surgery, I travelled to the ACVS conference where I met Dr. Kit Flowers at the CVM booth. He invited me to the prayer breakfast. I recall a strong sense of dependency on God by the organization. Kit has been instrumental in my life on both professional and personal levels, demonstrating what it is to be a person of faith and utmost integrity. As we live our lives, we are being woven together in God’s tapestry as long as we are willing to be just a thread.
In 2008, a new veterinary school opened in Calgary where I had moved with my family for a job as a board-certified surgeon. A stirring of sorts reminded me of the importance of the student fellowship back in Dublin. That year, we held our first supper where the students would come to our home and get a cooked meal and learn about CVM. The CVF chapter of the University of Calgary was born and has been a constant presence since. Praise God!
Bringing Jesus to the people and the people to Jesus has been its focus. For the past 6 years our CVF group has been sending teams to Mexico and more recently, to the Maskwacis First Nations People here in Canada.
I have been privileged to see the passion of Christ worked out through the action of these young students! I have witnessed the breakdown of barriers through the care of animals. My favorite time of the trip is the church service where we join in worship with our native brothers and sisters in Christ. In all things, when you give, you receive. I have truly learned more of God’s healing love for me through the Maskwacis ministry.
For God’s leading of CVM, I am so thankful and look forward to keeping step as we lift up Jesus. It is He alone who draws all unto Himself!”
Sometimes, CVM introduces the intersection of faith and veterinary medicine to people, and sometimes, like in Neil’s case, people are already living at that crossroads where CVM is a perfect addition to what they’ve begun. Either way, the opportunities CVM offers to veterinary students and professionals allow them to share their faith through their profession. And with your support we can continue to empower our professionals to love and care for others in Christ’s name around the world!
Serving Together,
Lisa Balzer
CVM Canada Executive Director
P.S. Neil is investing in students and serving alongside them, will you join us in helping other vet professionals in similar ministry?