Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic…[IAD Staff]
Inter-America's Adventist-Layman's Services and Industries Convention concluded its 9th annual conference on Aug. 23, 2008 at Coral Costa Caribe in Juan Dolio, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Over 400 delegates and church members attended the final day's celebration after four days of seminars, reports of witnessing in the marketplace and special musical presentations.
Special guest speaker Pastor Stephen Bohr, Senior Pastor of the Fresno Central Adventist Church in California, United States, challenged the audience to use their gifts in finishing the preaching of the gospel, so that Jesus may come soon. Pastor Bohr emphasized that at the tower of Babel, “God confounded the language of the people to impede their selfish objectives, while at Pentecost, God gave the gift of tongues for the purpose of publishing the good news to every nation on earth and thereby hasten the kingdom of God.”
Pastor David Beckles, president of the East Caribbean Conference in Barbados, West Indies, gave the final charge and encouraging the chapter members to become positive witnesses in their communities and impact the world for Jesus.
Themed “Empowered by His Spirit,” the convention began on Aug. 20 with a special message by Barbara Taylor, vice president of marketing and recruitment of North American Division ASI. Taylor spoke of her journey from a high-rolling, self-centered entrepreneur, to a committed, mission-oriented Adventist Christian. Her call was to make our witness practical and take time to personally touch hurting souls.
During the convention, delegates were presented with the new initiative “One Day Church”, a joint project between ASI North America and Maranatha Volunteers International to provide a special construction kit of a church structure that can be built in less than eight hours.
ASI Inter-America has been invited to lead it throughout the territory, said Pastor Leon B. Wellington, active ASI Inter-America secretary.
“ASI chapters will be called upon to both sponsor churches and organize work crews to do the construction of these churches in our territory,” said Pastor Wellington.
In addition, ASI Inter-America's new website was launched during the convention. Chapter members will be able to log on to www.asi-interamerica.org and begin building a list of business entities, chapter contacts and keep track of activities skills bank, among other features. The website is in English, Spanish, and French.
Chapter members voted to retain Juan P. Rosa as president of ASI Inter-America for another two-year term. Also voted in was Nelson Cabrera as communication coordinator for the new website.
Two projects will benefit from this year's donations collected at the end of the convention. A French television station in Martinique and the Adventist Dominican University for technological research for pastors.
Next year's ASI Inter-America convention is scheduled to be held in Bridgetown, Barbados, Aug. 22-25, 2009.
ASI is the organization of Seventh-day Adventist lay persons involved in professions, industry, education, and/or services to provide challenge, nurture, and experience in Sharing Christ in the Marketplace as well as support the global mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The ASI philosophy promotes a Christ-centered lifestyle, manifested by a commitment to be in daily partnership with God. Members seek to live out God's love in their own lives and share that love with the millions of people they encounter in their business and professional activities each year–hence the motto, Sharing Christ in the Marketplace.
For more information on ASI Inter-America, visit www.asi-interamerica.org
