The second North American Division Adventist Single Adult Ministries Convention (ASAM) held answers, fellowship and fun for the nearly 300 single adults who attended. Singles, ranging in age from 25 to 86, gathered for the July 4 weekend event in Newport Beach, Calif. Attendees came from throughout the North American Division (NAD) and from Australia and the British Virgin Islands.

All were pushed to "Go Deeper," in keeping with the convention's theme and challenge. NAD ASAM coordinator Andrea D. Hicks, explained, "In the first convention, we asked people to pursue their passions. Now it is time for them to go even deeper. They need to assess how their passions are helping with their relationships with the Lord and with other people."

Four powerful keynote speakers—Jose Rojas, Jesse Bevel Jr., Hyveth Williams and John McVay—challenged singles to focus on their relationship with God. The music also enhanced the spiritual aspect. At each service, the praise team, consisting of Marc Judd, Laurie Preston and the band, set the tone for worship. Musical guests included Jaime Jorge, Adrian Pressley, Hugo Yin, Alva Wawaroding and Emerald Wawaroding.

Even so, it wasn't just the speakers and musicians who promoted the spiritual aspect. The whole experience was bathed in prayer. "I prayed with so many people," said Fredericka Duggan of Miami, Fla., "and with each one, I got more strength, more power."

The spiritual lessons that people received were varied. According to Marce Williams of Salem, Oregon, "the convention was Christ-centered and applicable to life." She explained that she learned "how important it is to take a spiritual journey and go deeper with God—to spend more time and be able to draw upon His wisdom through His Word."

There were 17 different seminars, all of which NAD ASAM committee member, Delores Richardson, said were "highly relevant and acceptable to the conference attendees." For example, Cheryl Simpson, professor of Counseling and Family Sciences at Loma Linda University, spoke about wholeness, realities and challenges, and relational health for singles. Linda Hyder Ferry, Mihran Ask and Ricardo J. Whyte, physicians, gave singles a glimpse into hidden addictions in the Adventist communities. Willie Oliver, NAD director of Family Ministries, informed the group with his presentations, "Why Men Won't Commit" and "10 Things U Need to Know B4 U Get Married."

Richardson, who is from the Atlantic Union Conference, has been involved with NAD ASAM for many years. This year she received the NAD Distinguished Service Award for her dedication and hard work.

Anyone who missed this convention, according to those who were there, also missed a great opportunity for spiritual and social blessings. Perhaps some who did not attend have not yet learned what Chris Burrows of Flint, Mich., did: "how vast singleness was." For Burrows, it was a process of "realizing that you're a part of a much bigger thing, and people are still being supportive of the church and doing a lot of things in their communities," a fact church leadership is well aware of.

According to Oliver, "The body of Christ needs every organ utilized in synergy to help disciple people for the kingdom of God." Oliver explained that by holding conventions such as the one in Newport Beach, church leadership is sending a clear message "that every member is valued in the family and encouraged to take their rightful place at the table."

Throughout the year, local conferences and churches plan singles events, and the next NAD gathering is already being planned for 2011. Don't miss the next ASAM convention. For details on Adventist Single Adult Ministries, visit www.adventistsingleadultministries.org.

R. Rennae Elliot, committee member, NAD ASAM