As many as 3,300 Adventist-Laymen's Services and Industries (ASI) members and guests gathered at the Sacramento Convention Center Aug. 3–6 for the annual international convention, “Christ’s Power … Our Hands.” ASI is an organization growing in popularity among Adventist business people and other individuals.
“The average church member usually discovers that they can become involved in witnessing once they hear the testimonies of others,” says Sharon Robberson, convention coordinator. “Hearing all the diverse ways God is working through ordinary business people—well-diggers, artists, health professionals, car dealers, builders— is truly inspirational.”
There are approximately 1,000 members in the nearly 60-year-old organization. ASI’s mission is to inspire and train professionals and private sector business people to integrate their vocations with the gospel commission—to Share Christ in the Marketplace.
“I liked the way the speakers explained our responsibilities,” said Charles Downing, Portland, Ore. “I contact many new customers and have opportunities to witness beyond just being friendly. I’m interested in discovering how to share Christ’s message with unbelievers. This convention is first class.”
ASI is an eye-opener—people attend, listen to testimonies, visit exhibits (295 of them this year), and they think, “I bet I could do that, too!” They go home and give it a try. The Member in Action segments, where stories are shared, is one of the most popular parts of convention programming.
Harold and Helen Clark, Tempe, Ariz., came for inspiration and ideas on church planting; some came to see what new products are out, and to “fellowship and meet people,” said Serita Katz, Sacramento, Calif. She is starting a child care center and came to look for children’s materials. And some, like Susan Kochenower with ShareHim of Gaffney, S.C., came to exhibit and recruit people for evangelism.
The convention includes programs for children ages birth to 18. Also, the ASI youth evangelism program, “Youth for Jesus,” mobilized 40 high school and college students during the month before the convention. They knocked on doors, gave Bible studies, and invited people to evening meetings. The result: 30 baptisms with more than 50 continuing to study.
ASI supports ministry projects all over the world. The Sabbath morning offering will help finance 40 diverse projects during the next year. Totaling more than $2.3 million, it will be divided among ministries like Calexico Mission School on the border of Mexico, which will receive $25,000 for new classrooms and kitchen; $10,000 will be given to the Central Nyanza field in Africa for audio/visual equipment for remote areas; Gospel Outreach will sustain ten evangelists for three years in the Sunderban Islands with a grant of $23,000. And the list goes on. The overflow offering will fully fund It Is Written and Maranatha Volunteers International’s joint project, Impact India 2006, at more than $700,000.
“If you’re serious about your relationship with Christ and want to give life to the gospel commission, then connect with others that are living that passion,” suggested Debbie Young, ASI president. “Seeing the excitement people have about sharing Christ with others is my favorite part of the convention.”
For more information about ASI, visit: www.asiministries.org; for convention photos, visit: www.pacificunionphoto.com.
Alicia J. Adams, Pacific Union Recorder editor
