In Inter-America, Laypeople Urged On to Do Business, Serve, and Live Like Jesus

Presentations at ASi Inter-America convention zero in on Jesus as the role model to follow.

August 23, 2019 | Nassau, The Bahamas | Marcos Paseggi for Inter-American Division News

The first principle that inspires service is to be like Jesus, said Adventist businessman Zuki Mxoli when presenting at 2019 Inter-America’s Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries (ASi-IAD) convention in Nassau, Bahamas, on August 21. “Serve as Jesus served; live as Jesus lived. That is our goal.” Mxoli, a guest speaker who runs a successful architectural and construction firm in South Africa, is one of several plenary speakers who are seeking to train, encourage, and inspire Adventist laypeople from more than 16 countries attending the event.

How to Serve Like Jesus

Despite their varied life backgrounds and areas of expertise, most presenters have shown a remarkable agreement when it comes to the ultimate goal. For Mxoli, it is almost stating the obvious. Any attempt to serve should be based on the goal of being like Jesus, he said. And it is a premise, Mxoli emphasized, that changes our whole approach and life focus. Drawing on the convention theme “Reviving the Spirit of Service,” he reminded, “Reviving the spirit of service is reviving the spirit of Jesus, not reviving ourselves. Jesus is the focus.”

It is that example, Mxoli said, that led Jesus to a life of service that prompted Him to even die for the object of His troubles. “Jesus loved the church so much that He died for the church,” emphasized Mxoli.

A second principle that inspires service, Mxoli said, implies imitating Jesus at being willing to leave our comfort zone to meet people where they are. Based on the Bible story of Jesus encounter with Zacchaeus, Mxoli says that when Jesus invited himself to dine at Zacchaeus’ house, He was telling Zacchaeus, “I want to serve you by going into your comfort zone.”

Jesus goes to meet people where they are, mingling with them, Mxoli reminded, and it is an example we would do well in following. “Just like Jesus, we must tell people, ‘We don’t care where you come from; we care where you’re going to,’” said Mxoli.

Mxoli also stressed that our service has to begin and end with our marching orders, which, according to Matthew 28:18-20, is “to make disciples.” “One of the issues we face as a church is that we continue to make members but not always disciples,” said Mxoli. “But a disciple is someone who will serve; is someone who is not comfortable in one place unless he or she is serving,” he explained. It is an approach, Mxoli concluded, that will transform our whole approach to service. “We shouldn’t hoard all the light in one room. Once we make disciples, we must send them out,” he said.

How to Live Like Jesus

In the same vein, North American Division ASi president Phillip Baptiste said that imitating Jesus will definitely drive changes in our whole approach to service. “What if you desired living like Jesus? What if it was your dream, your aspiration, your number one desire?” asked Baptiste. “What is your most important achievement? Imagine if [being like Jesus] was your goal; how different you would be?”

Dwelling on the Bible life story of David, Baptiste explained that being like Jesus does not necessarily mean being free from making mistakes. “David was not perfect; he made significant mistakes, but again and again, his prayer would be, ‘Lord, I want to be close to you,’” said Baptiste.

At the same time, Baptiste cautioned about just dwelling on nicely expressed phrases that do not lead to lasting, life-transforming changes. “Living like Jesus is not just repeating common phrases but actually living like Him,” said Baptiste. “And how did Jesus live?” he again asked before answering, “Jesus gave, served, and loved unconditionally. This is the gist of our selfless service for the Savior. Give, serve, and love: It is an example we would do very well to imitate,” he said.

How Service Looks Like

Beyond definitions and statement of goals, many of the attendees to the 2019 ASi-IAD convention are living proofs that they are already implementing Jesus’ model of service.

Take the Berrys, for instance. Richard and Curlean Berry are self-defined church planters who moved to the Abaco Islands in the northern Bahamas 26 years ago as self-supporting missionaries. When they arrived, there was only one Adventist congregation on the island. Thanks to their prayers and efforts, there are now four churches and a couple more congregations across the area.

“It is our first time at an ASi convention,” Curlean said. “We have come to be inspired and encouraged to keep doing the Lord’s work in our place of service,” she added.

Other first-timers to an ASi convention are Trinidad and Tobago’s Michael and Rosemarie Walke. The Walkes are planning to build the first Adventist healthcare healing lifestyle center in Trinidad. “After some recent challenges to my own health, I realized that people just don’t know about healthy life principles,” said Michael in explaining the rationale for his and his wife’s initiative. “So our first goal is educational, and also health-promoting,” he said.

As a registered non-governmental organization, the Walkes have already been able to secure four acres of state lands at no cost, and now they are looking for additional funding options.

Rosemarie, a retired Adventist elementary school teacher and principal, explained, “There’s an open field to bring physical and spiritual health to the needy,” she said. “And we feel it is what the Lord is asking us to do.”

For additional stories about this year’s ASi IAD convention, visit us at interamerica.org.