News

The recent Adventist-Laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI) Convention held in Baguio City, Philippines, brought together over 300 dedicated professionals and business leaders from across the Southern Asia-Pacific region. From September 12 to 15, 2024, delegates gathered at the Newtown Plaza Hotel under the theme, "Ascend Spirituality through Integrity in Business," focusing on ways to live out their faith in their workplaces. ASI members, driven by the mission to support the Seventh-day Adventist Church, emphasized how business can become a platform for ministry—combining integrity with spiritual fervor to make a lasting impact.

Key sessions included presentations on health, education, evangelism, and community services, as well as family and special projects, showcasing how ASI members are integrating their businesses into the broader mission of the Church. Throughout the event, speakers underscored the importance of integrity in every aspect of life, aligning with the Adventist call to be a light to the world through both words and actions.

Leaders of institutions and organizations provided valuable insights and testimony on how their faith in Christ has shaped their business practices. Delegates were encouraged to see every business transaction and interaction as an opportunity to share Jesus, reminding them that faith is not confined to the church building but can be lived out daily in the marketplace. This mindset—of viewing work as worship—resonated deeply, as many professionals expressed their desire to integrate mission with their vocations, particularly in regions where traditional evangelism is difficult.

Some of the distinguished speakers who enriched the convention included Dr. Ginger Ketting-Weller, President of the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS); Pastor Dan Namanya, a faculty member in the AIIAS College of Theology; Dr. Mxolisi Michael Sokupa, Associate Director of the Ellen G. White Estate; and Henry Suluvale, Project Manager of Big Build Australia. These leaders shared valuable insights, blending academic, theological, and practical perspectives to inspire delegates to infuse their professional lives with mission-driven integrity and service.

In July 2024, ASI, in partnership with local churches and regional offices, spearheaded a large-scale collaborative evangelism campaign across the central Philippines. This united effort led to over 6,000 people accepting Jesus, marking a significant milestone in the region. This unprecedented outcome has motivated ASI leadership to make this annual evangelistic initiative a recurring event in various locations across the division. They view this as a powerful opportunity for ASI to play an active role in advancing evangelism throughout the Southern Asia-Pacific region, trusting that God will continue to bless their efforts in reaching more souls for His kingdom.

The convention also featured ministries on innovative ways to reach communities, particularly in challenging areas, using technology and personal influence. ASI members experienced the convention with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to partner with the Church to share hope, demonstrate compassion, and extend the love of Christ through their careers and businesses.

In 2025, ASI delegates were encouraged to look forward to next year’s convention, set to take place in Phuket, Thailand, in August. The event aims to reignite their passion for ministry and provide further inspiration through the ongoing growth of ASI in this dynamic and challenging region. Delegates anticipate another opportunity to network, share experiences, and explore new ways to advance the mission of sharing Jesus through their professional and business endeavors.

This annual gathering serves as a vital reminder that God can use every available resource—whether through financial expertise, healthcare, education, or other fields—to spread the message of salvation, fostering hope and transformation in lives globally.

Edward Rodriguez, SSD Communication Department