Wisconsin—The room bubbled with excitement, and not for just one story or even one meeting—the energy lasted the entire weekend! That was the spirit at the Lake Union ASI Spring Fellowship in Apr. at Camp Wakonda.

ASI (Adventist-Laymen's Services and Industries) is a lay organization working hand in hand with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The organization of business owners and supporting organizations are best known for funding evangelism projects. ASI provides training, equipment, and encouragement for lay people to advance the great Gospel Commission and has been instrumental in the lay evangelism explosion we've seen in the Lake Union.

Danny Shelton, president of Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN), provided the Sabbath sermon and 3ABN’s Kid’s Time staff, with Camp Wakonda's Ranger Jim, provided a great children’s program.

The Fri. seminar was a powerful presentation by Joseph Kidder. The music, as we've come to expect at all ASI get-togethers, was outstanding. The food, provided by the Madison, Wis., eighth grade class as a fund-raiser with the support of Kevin and Bonnie Miller, was fantastic. But the really inspiring part of the weekend was the witnessing experiences shared.

The Catarama family joined other ASI leaders in Africa this spring to hold multiple evangelistic series. Both Viorel and Michelle Catarama are self-employed and were concerned about being gone from work. Putting everything in God’s hands, they saw miracles and baptisms in Africa and found the Lord blessed their businesses too. Hearing how God used their 12-year-old son, Michael, as a replacement speaker was just thrilling.

Sandy Miller, a busy entrepreneur, business owner, grandmother, etc., also had an experience to share. When asked to host a small group at her house, her immediate answer was “No way!” It took a little encouragement, but when she tried it, she loved it, and God has blessed! A neighbor was present to testify about how much the prayers and support of the group had meant to her.

Hinsdale Church members showed pictures that demonstrated the fun they had organizing and sharing the book, The Passion of Love, by Ellen White. Pathfinders near Camp Wakonda also passed out these books, purchased by ASI. They had exciting reports of receptivity. One construction worker called out, “Is that book by Ellen White? I love her books!”

Replacing a 90+ year-old church in Princeton, Ill., is the current Lake Union ASI project. The church's members are actively witnessing, growing, and raising money in eager anticipation of building a new church. The ASI offering collected at the Spring Fellowship was $25,000; it will be used to support an evangelistic series in that neighborhood and help with the church building project.

Next Apr. 20–21, 2006, the Lake Union ASI chapter will host an inspirational weekend at Historic Adventist Village in Battle Creek, Mich. Plan to be there! You will be inspired and blessed. Learn more about ASI at www.asiministries.org.

Janelle Randall, Lake Union ASI Chapter communication director