The intensity of the Arizona heat matched the fervor of the committed individuals attending the 62nd annual ASI Convention, Aug. 5–8, in Phoenix. Keynote speaker Justin McNeilus, current president of Generation of Youth for Christ (GYC), challenged evangelism-minded individuals to leave no stone unturned in fulfilling ASI's mission: Sharing Christ in the Marketplace.
In addition to main session speakers, ASI members and ministries shared numerous evangelism progress reports. Convention seminars, grouped into five tracks, addressed evangelism, apologetics and financial challenges in ministry. A special Friday evening program featured presentations by ASI children and youth, as well as a devotional talk by Justin Kim, pastor of the Oakwood Church (Detroit, Mich.) and director of the CAMPUS missionary training program. Kim addressed the significance of Joseph and Mary "losing" Jesus during the Passover in Jerusalem. Participants in ASI's "Youth for Jesus" summer evangelism program also shared personal testimonies about their work in Phoenix during the five weeks leading up to the convention. Their efforts culminated in a special baptism service the day before the convention began.
Throughout the convention, it was not uncommon to see parents and other adults wandering downstairs to the young people's divisions where they found the likes of Mark Finley, David Asscherick, Doug Batchelor and Christian Berdahl speaking to spellbound groups of young people who appeared as attentive to hard issues as their parents. The exhibit hall, filled with colorful, interactive booths in some ways resembled a large family reunion, providing opportunities for long-separated friends and family to congregate and catch up on a year's worth of experiences while encouraging one another in their faith.
Despite tough economic times, the more than 2,000 convention attendees, including several hundred children and youth, dug deep and gave more than $2 million to support 37 ASI-sponsored ministry projects around the world. Of the 15 projects in the North American Division, two are dedicated to creation research and education, a topic given special attention during the convention.
Norman Reitz, an attorney from Hayward, Calif., was elected to a two-year term as ASI's new president. Reitz says he originally resisted joining ASI ten years ago, fearing to add more commitments to his already busy schedule. His perspective changed when he saw the power of association to accomplish greater goals in outreach and evangelism. He has been an active, committed member ever since. His goals are to double ASI membership during his term and to "share the big blessing of ASI with the greater group of church members in North America, and throughout the world."
ASI is an organization of Adventist lay persons involved in professions, industry, education and other services. It exists to nurture its members in "Sharing Christ in the Marketplace" in their everyday endeavors. Next year's ASI Convention will be held Aug. 4–7, 2010, in Orlando, Fla. All are welcome to attend. Visit www.asiministries.org for more information and to sign up for ASI's bi-monthly e-news update.
Conna Bond, communication director, Adventist-laymen's Services & Industries
