Inter-America’s 16th ASi’s Convention Opens Focusing Members to Wellness and Service

More than 435 delegates convened in Panama City, Panama, during the opening ceremony of Inter-America’s ASi Annual Convention, Aug. 16, 2017. Image by Libna Steven/IAD

August 17, 2017 | Panama City, Panama | Libna Stevens/IAD

Inter-America’s Adventist Laymen’s Services and Industries (ASi) Annual Convention kicked off last night in Panama City, Panama, challenging Adventist business owners, lawyers and health professionals from across the vast territory to trust God’s providence and commit to seeking wellness in the church and the community.

IAD President Pastor Israel Leito (right) speaks during his keynote address on the opening night of ASi Inter-America Convention, Aug. 16, 2017. Francisco Hines of Panama, translates the message. Image by Libna Stevens/IAD

ASi is an organization of the Seventh-day Adventist laypeople involved in professions, industry, education and/or services and exists to challenge, nurture and provide experience in sharing Christ in the marketplace as well as supporting the church’s worldwide mission. The annual convention offers delegates seminars, presentations, forums, Q&A sessions, networking opportunities and a chance to present projects as well.

Bearing flags and folklore attire, delegates from each ASi chapter represented in the IAD celebrated the diversity that brings them together and to spread the hope of the gospel in their marketplaces and communities.

During the keynote address, IAD President Pastor Israel Leito encouraged the delegation to put their trust wholeheartedly in God and persevere patiently as they fulfill the mission of the church in their businesses, medical practices and law offices.

“We are not here to learn how to make more money, but we are here to better serve the Lord, placing our talents, resources, knowledge, our influences and everything for God’s power,” said Pastor Leito.

Nestor Aponte plays special music during ASi’s opening night. Image by Libna Stevens/IAD

“You are valuable to the church, you are instruments of the Lord,” added Pastor Leito. “Keep trusting and seeking to advance the kingdom even if you cannot see immediate results. God will do what’s His own time.”

This year’s convention, themed “Committed to Wellness and Service,” has so far attracted the most-ever delegates with 435. The event will conclude on Saturday.

Nearly 100 health professionals joined this year as the convention features an added emphasis on fostering good health.

“This opportunity is opening the doors so that there can be a closer relationship between health professionals and the ministry of public health in communities,” said Belkis Archbold, health ministries director for the church in Inter-America. “Business and health professionals can work together closely to further strengthen the work in the community.”

Delegates turned their attention to Dr. David Williams, Professor of Public Health and African American Studies and associate health ministries director for the Adventist world church, who said that Adventists need to learn from mental health and how central it is to the total health of every person.

“Many members of our congregation and our communities have mental health problems and disorders that have dramatic negative effects on the functioning of their

Dr. David Williams, Norman Professor of Public Health and African American Studies, as well as associate health ministries director for the Adventist world church. Image by Libna Stevens/IAD

daily life,” said Williams. Many of those mental factors turn into illnesses that affect the ability of many church members to take care of themselves, their family, work productively in their jobs, be effective at home, church and society in general, he added.

Williams shared data from several studies detailing how mental disorders are very common in contemporary society, and countries outlined by the World Health Organization with prevalence of depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Several of those countries like the United States, Mexico and Colombia top the list, he said

“We must help address emotional problems in the church and in the community,” emphasized Williams. “We have God’s assurance to be with us and calls us to reach out to the emotional suffering in the pews and in our communities, showing the love of Jesus and His methods of reaching those in need,” he added as he quoted

It’s an issue that church leaders, laypersons and professionals must examine in order to strengthen the church and the message of salvation being conveyed to the community in need, explained Williams.

“As Seventh-day Adventists, we must study the Bible, understand what we believe in and seek revival and reformation in our spiritual life,” said Williams as he encouraged delegates to read the book Ministry of Healing, authored by Ellen G. White, a co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

“As health professionals, help address emotional problems in the church and in the community,” Williams concluded.

For Alicia Robertson, a dental surgeon based in the United States, Williams’ presentation resonated with what she is increasingly seeing in her dental practice.

Alicia Robertson, a dentist from Maryland, United States, traveled to be part of the convention. Image by Libna Stevens/IAD

“To hear that approximately three out of five people have some type of mental issues has opened my eyes to have more patience, understand the patient as someone who needs emotional help,” said Robertson. In her 20-year-old practice, she sees a high level of anxiety every day in her patients.

“I ask patients for permission to pray for them and every time it decreases their stress and anxiety,” she said.

Robertson agrees that the church needs to talk more about mental health and educate its membership so it can better understand and care for those affected by mental disorders in the community. She vowed to go back to her local church and work with leaders to address such issues.

“Health is a vital issue for every business person, every health professional, every church leader, and every church member because the church’s health message contributes to health evangelism,” said Pastor Leon B. Wellington, IAD secretary and main organizer of the ASi Inter-America board and convention. “The health message brings us closer to the community and that’s our goal, to make a difference with the whole gospel of salvation.”

For more on Inter-America’s ASi Convention and information, visit asi.interamerica.org

To view a photo gallery of the annual event, click HERE