The ongoing evangelism initiative of the world church is "Tell the World." But members of Adventist Laymen's Services and Industries (ASI) are ready to take the next step. Their dedication to a wide variety of evangelistic ministries both in North America and around the world was clear in the 2006 ASI International Convention theme: “Tell the world. Tell them now!”

ASI members met August 2–5 in Grapevine, Texas, for a wonderful time of fellowship, sharing, and inspiration, all with a distinctive southwestern flavor. Each ASI member is involved in ministry, but those ministries take forms as different as the individuals who comprise them. Whether it is a doctor looking for literature for her waiting room, a school looking for funding, an artist looking for venues, or a publisher looking for exposure for its sharing material, the ASI convention showcases the breadth of ministry going on within the Adventist church.

As part of the focus on evangelism, ASI’s Youth for Jesus program placed young people in nine different sites in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex to hold evangelistic series with local congregations. These series ended on August 1 with 115 baptisms and many other ongoing Bible studies. The convention featured 20 seminars on a variety of topics as well as meetings for youngsters of all ages. Many of the young people were involved in mission projects as part of their daily meetings. The Primary class knitted caps for babies while the Earliteens spent part of each day serving meals at a local food kitchen.

The high points of the convention were the reports about the previous year’s mission projects, where it was clear that ASI is making a difference. Walter Wright, Lake Union Conference president, said, "I am inspired every time I attend an ASI convention. There is a level of excitement in the air, and it's centered around doing whatever it takes to advance God's kingdom. This year was especially meaningful since ASI had taken on a mission project right here in the Lake Union—the building of our church in Princeton, Illinois."

On Sabbath, a crowd of more than 2,000 members and guests heard stories of the amazing evangelistic work being done with ASI funds and volunteers. Shawn Boonstra, speaker/director of It Is Written, reported that baptisms from the evangelism funded by ASI members exceeded 10,000. This year’s ASI project offering was $1,815,271.74, which will fund the projects chosen—projects including ministries such as Wildwood Sanitarium and Young Disciple Ministries in the United States, Springs of Life Foundation in Poland, Eden Garden Orphanage in Haiti, and Frontline Builders in Mongolia. The overflow offering in excess of $400,000 beyond the goal will fund two projects equally: a picture roll/DVD project and an Ellen White Internet book project.

One of the highlights of every ASI convention is the exhibit hall. More than 300 booths were filled with products and programs designed to make personal evangelism more effective or to offer information about missions or ministries that need funding. As always, the exhibit hall was a meeting ground for old friends and colleagues and a beehive buzzing with great ideas for reaching out with the gospel.

A new feature this year was a stage for performances by people not appearing in the general sessions. It was a great spot to enjoy a concert and rest weary feet. As a fitting conclusion to the convention, Mark Finley shared a statement of commitment and called for every person present and every viewer at home to make a complete commitment to serve God.

Next year’s ASI International Convention will be a special anniversary celebrating God’s blessings through 60 years of sharing His love. Make plans now to be there August 1–4, 2007, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Jerry D. Thomas is the Southwestern Union Conference communication director.