August 24, 2011 – Ocho Rios, St. Ann, Jamaica…Nigel Coke/Libna Stevens/IAD
Inter-America’s Adventist -layman’s Services and Industries (ASi) Convention concluded its 11th annual conference on Aug. 20, 2011, with a praise reunion concert and a charge at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Hotel in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Hundreds of Seventh-Adventist professionals and church members attended the final day’s celebration after four days of seminars, exhibitions, musical performances and ministries presentations.
“I charge you to be a powerful instrument of witness advancing the gospel in the great tradition of the godly businessmen of the ages,” said Pastor Carlyle Bayne, retired personal ministries and Sabbath school director for the church in Inter-America as he delivered the final charge of the convention. Bayne challenged the ASi members to be good stewards of what they have received over the past four days.
“In all of your activities, let your business place and your life’s priorities be a constant witnesses for the truth,” he said. “Respond to the spiritual messages you have received in this developing crescendo of spiritual messages. Function in such a way that when the supreme manager of the universe puts in his appearance you will be among those who will hear the words addressed to you, ‘Well done thou good and faith full servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord.'”
ASi members and the congregation at large were summoned by Sabbath morning guest speaker Pastor Abraham Jules of Trinidad and Tobago to be “Messengers of Hope” by embracing the outcast and disenfranchised in society, including former church members.
More than 40 exhibition booths, motivational presentations, empowerment seminars, election of officers, and networking were featured at the convention, which was held for the second time in Jamaica. The first ASi convention held in Jamaica took place in 1999.
The opening ceremony and segments of the convention were streamed live via the internet, with special aspects of the program broadcast live on NCU Radio and NCU TV.
“It was one of the best in the Caribbean that I have attended,” said Hazel Watkis-Wisdom from St, Ann, Jamaica. “I enjoyed the opening night. I was satisfied spiritually, emotionally and socially. The interaction among the nations was very good and the praise reunion was heavenly.”
A special offering appeal was made to go towards three projects in Jamaica: the Good Samaritan Inn in Kingston; the Educational Foundation for Children Care in Four Paths, Clarendon; and the West Jamaica Feeding Program in Montego Bay, St James. A total of US$23,000.00 in cash and pledges was received during the convention.
The convention was an opportunity to boost interest for ASi in Jamaica, said Pastor Leon B. Wellington, vice president for the church in Inter-America and secretary of ASi-Inter-America.
“This was a perfect opportunity to help the local ASi organization boost more interest in the already active three chapters in Jamaica,” said Pastor Wellington. “The goal was to also sensitize the community in Jamaica to the special group of Adventist professionals interested in witnessing through their marketplaces and projects to benefit the community.”
With an economy still affected by the financial crisis which struck the world in recent years, ASi-IAD leaders plan to continue boosting Adventist professionals throughout the territory to engage in opening new chapters and build a stronger network.
“The economic factors are still affecting our business professionals and the limited attendance to our annual convention has been felt during the past few years,” explained Pastor Wellington.
Creating more chapters throughout Inter-America will be a top priority, according to ASi-Inter-America top leaders.
“One of the goals of the team for the next two years will be to have active ASi presence in all of the 21 unions of the Inter-American Division,” said Dr. Marston Thomas, newly elected president of ASi-Inter-America.
Plans are already on the way to expand the impact and outreach of ASi throughout Inter-America, organizers said.
Next year’s ASi Inter-America Convention is schedule to be held in Guatemala City, Guatemala, August 15-18, 2011.
ASi is an organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church members who work in the private sector. Accordingly, they believe that vocations can be and should be a ministry to aid in the advancement of the great gospel commission. 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.
To view a photo gallery of this year’s ASI-IAD Convention, click here
For information on ASI-Inter-America, visit us at www.interamerica.org
