Panama City, Panama…[Libna Stevens/IAD]
The Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI) Inter-American Division held its 7th annual convention in Panama City, Panama, from August 16-19. Hundreds of Seventh-day Adventist professionals gathered at the convention for a variety of seminars, musical performances, exhibitions and ministries presentations. It was a time to network with each other, rededicate to the service of the less fortunate and recommit to evangelizing their communities.
“With Christ at the wheel, we will triumph” was this year’s official theme, although the resounding message woven throughout the four-day event was to think big and invest one’s God-given talents in the kingdom of God.
“Think big because we have a big God,” said Elder Fitz Henry, reknown evangelist from Jamaica, who, along with Pastor David Gates, missionary pilot from Gospel Ministries International, made an impassioned appeal to the large assembly for a collection for the less fortunate. As a result, the largest ever sum was collected at any ASI-IAD event, which will help fund children’s projects in Panama, Colombia and Jamaica.
Among the youngest attendees at this year’s convention was Miguel Hernandez from Chiapas, Mexico. An entrepreneur, Hernandez, age 26, owns and operates a gas station, store and hotel business with his parents and four brothers.
“I feel very happy to be here at the convention,” said Hernandez. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn more about ASI and its vision with other chapters. During the next two years I hope to learn and mature and make a better contribution to my local chapter and community.”
For Tania Francois-Haugrin, a young business woman from Martinique, participating in the last several ASI-IAD conventions has been very exciting. Currently serving as the president of the ASI chapter in Martinique and newly elected as a vice-president for ASI-IAD for the next two-terms, Francois-Haugrin has her own freelance press service and works as an assistant to a senator. She said the conventions have inspired her to start the first internet-based Adventist television in French. She anticipates beginning broadcasting by year’s end.
More than 400 Seventh-day Adventists joined the more than 250 ASI delegates in the Riande Continental Hotel in downtown Panama City for the conclusion of the convention on Sabbath, August 19. The day was filled with spiritual messages from featured guest speakers and musical performances by local and international singers and groups, as well as an election for ASI-IAD officers for the next two years.
During the anticipated Sabbath service, Pastor Frank Gonzalez, speaker and director of the international radio program, La Voz de la Esperanza, captivated the audience by challenging the gathering to invest in God’s kingdom and reap eternal rewards. He went on to say that money can be a positive thing.
“Money is not the problem, the problem is our faith,” said Pastor Gonzalez. “Believe that God will give you what you need…believe and invest with your heart, soul, and mind to God.”
Robert Maycock, a civil engineer from Barbados, was honored for his strong leadership as president of ASI-IAD during the past four years. In his message as outgoing ASI president he encouraged chapter members to work hard to evangelize the world with their ministries.
“Don’t be discouraged,” he said to the packed meeting hall. “I believe God has marvelous things ahead for us as we work together.” He believes that ASI will be a major contributor to the advancement of technology in proclaiming the gospel to the world.
Being a part of the organization is something that Maycock enjoyed while leading ASI.
“It’s been a wonderful blessing and a learning experience,” he said.
He admitted that there are some challenges ahead, as the organization has only six years running, but he feels it’s moving ahead better.
One of the challenges that ASI-IAD faces is that chapters are spread throughout the territory with different languages to consider.
But for Inter-America’s melting pot of cultures, there’s always a common bond, said Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America.
“We are a multi-cultural division with many languages, and this creates challenges but it is our joy to see how the Lord always directs His work in Inter-America,” said Pastor Leito.
ASI-IAD chapter members elected the following leaders during the convention:
President: Juan Rosa for ASI-IAD president
Vice presidents: Tania Francois-Haugrin, Jorge Irias, Marston Thomas, and Mayer Cadenas.
Secretary: Leon B. Wellington
Treasurer: Sonja Carnegie
Public Relations Officer: Victor Johnson
Project Officer: Robert Maycock
Personal Ministries: Carlyle Bayne
The convention’s closing remarks belonged to Evangelist Fitz Henry.
“God wants his children to prosper” he said. “Prosperity is for all of us, physical prosperity is for all of us. Financial prosperity is for all of us. Lay your business before God and He will bless you.”
On that note, the convention ended with the announcement of next year’s convention venue. The next ASI-IAD convention is set to be held in Cancun, Mexico, from August 15-18, 2007.
ASI Inter-America was organized in 1999 and has grown to 12 chapters throughout the Division territory.
Adventist-laymen's Services and Industries (ASI) is an organization of Seventh-day Adventist church members who work in the private sector in business and professional vocations. ASI members recognize that time, talents, treasures and temple of the body belong to God. Accordingly, they believe that vocations can and should be a ministry to aid in the advancement of the great gospel commission (Luke 19:13; Testimonies vol. 4, p. 469). ASI is committed to supporting the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its various outreach programs, which include health, education, evangelism, community services, family concerns and special projects.
