Through a variety of activities during this past quinquennium Lake Union Hispanics and Adventist-Laymen's Services and Industries (ASI) members took seriously the great commission to share the light and go make disciples of all nations.

Hispanic Evangelism

The latest demographic information reveals a tremendous need to reach out to Hispanics who live among us. The total Hispanic population in the United States as of July 2005 reached 42.7 million, making it the nation’s largest minority at 14 percent of the total population. To put it another way, approximately one out of eight people in the United States are of Hispanic origin. At the current rate of growth, it is calculated the Hispanic population will reach 70 million by 2020.

To fulfill the mission of the church, the Hispanic churches and pastors expanded their evangelism programs. Every year most of our Hispanic churches held evangelistic meetings during Easter week, baptizing scores of people. Often our Hispanic churches hold evangelistic series twice a year. Within this quinquennium, the Lake Union sought to augment the work of the churches by providing training, materials, and inspirational preaching at three union-wide programs: Hope for the Homeland, Hope for Our Day, and Share the Light. As a result of our people’s strong commitment to sharing God’s word, our Hispanic churches baptized more than 3,000 people, with the Lake Union now having in excess of 7,000 Hispanic members and 78 congregations.

With the expansion of the Hispanic population comes a need to start new Hispanic congregations. A key part of this strategy is to find ways to purchase or build churches for these new congregations. With special appropriations provided by the North American Division (NAD), our union provided more than $137,000 during the last five years to churches like Elkhart Hispanic and the Grand Rapids Maranatha church.

A growing number of our Hispanic youth are going to college but find it difficult to get the necessary funds. The Hispanic department has been able to help scores of youth achieve their educational goals.

In 2003, women throughout the Lake Union attended a union-wide Hispanic women’s ministries retreat in South Bend, which affirmed the role of women in our families and churches. In 2002, hundreds of youth came to our Hispanic youth convention held at Andrews University which featured Jose Rojas, NAD volunteer and young adult ministries director. In addition, this past November Encuentro, a new kind of youth retreat, brought more than 160 youth from throughout the five conferences together for fellowship and to have an encounter with Jesus.

ASI Ministries

The Lake Union ASI Chapter of lay people has always been a very active group. During the past five years, they have especially been involved in building churches in the Dominican Republic and Honduras. Some members also held evangelistic meetings in Thailand, the Philippines, India, and Romania. Even the 12-year-old son of one member recently preached in an evangelistic series in Africa. Plans now include building churches in our own Lake Union, starting this coming May in Princeton, Illinois. (see Sidebar)

The Lord has certainly blessed us these past five years, and we look forward to more blessings as we continue to work for Him.

Carmelo Mercado is the Lake Union Conference general vice president, and ASI and Hispanic ministries director.

Sidebar

Viorel Catarama, president

Lake Union Chapter

viorelcat@aol.com

Mark LaVanture, general vice president

Darry Campbell, vice president for evangelism

Don Starlin, vice president for membership recruitment

Tom Morrissey, vice president for finance

Mona Sarcona, vice president for communication

Fred Miller and Chuck Randall, vice presidents for projects/events

Ken Denslow, director

Illinois Chapter

(630) 734-0920

Gary Thurber, director

Indiana Chapter

(317) 844-6201

Ted Brown, director

Lake Region Chapter

(773) 846-2664

Paul Pellandini, director

Michigan Chapter

(517) 316-1565

Don Corkum, director

Wisconsin Chapter

(608) 241-5235

ASI Events

Spring Fellowship

Battle Creek, Michigan

For information: Call (269) 473-8200

Princeton Church Project

Princeton, Illinois

For information: Call (269) 473-8200; or visit website: www.asi-lakeunion.org

At the 2005 Spring Fellowship, more than $25,000 was raised to help Princeton (Illinois) Church members build a new worship facility. May 1–21, 2006, the Princeton Church Project will begin. Students from Hinsdale and Broadview Academies, as well as other schools around the union, will hold an evangelistic series in Princeton at the same time, with ASI members and church groups from around the conference participating. They will meet in the Bureau County Metro Center in Princeton. In preparation for these meetings, a trainer from ASI’s Youth for Jesus will meet with the students to train them in door-to-door ministry, giving Bible studies, and connecting with people. Amazing Facts sent two Bible workers to the area four months prior to make contacts in the community.

This little church is well on its way to paying for the new worship facility planned. They must have the materials on site, the foundation completed, and the septic system in before the ASI group arrives. Volunteers are needed to help in all areas of construction, and any building professionals interested in running crews for any part of the three-week project should contact ASI’s construction manager, Fred Miller, by e-mail: fsmillerwi@cs.com; or call (269) 473-8200.

This is an experience not to be missed. It will be life changing not just for the members of the Princeton church, but for the people touched by the meetings, the students, and the spirit of friendship and love found on the job site. Bring your friends and neighbors to this local mission field, and let them learn about Christ in action. Many people cannot afford the time and money to travel to overseas projects. This is a homeland mission in the heartland of our country. This is young people on fire for Christ. This is the perfect witnessing opportunity for you and your family.

ASI National Convention

Dallas, Texas, at the Grapevine

For information: www.asiministries.org