IAD- ASI 2017 CONVENTION

The ASI Inter-America Adventist-Laymen’s Services & Industries Convention 2017 was held in Panama from August 16- 19. The Hotel Riu Plaza in Panama was buzzing with excitement as a large body of ASi members and health professionals of the Inter-America Division convened in luxurious establishment for their annual convention.

The ASI Bahamas contingents consisted of some thirty-one (31) delegates not including the ATCU delegates in the persons of President Pastor Leonard Johnson and Sister Denise Johnson, the SBC delegates in the persons of President Pastor Paul Scavella and Sister Joan Scavella, Treasurer Pastor C. Melvin Lewis and Sister Constance Lewis, and Pastor Doctor Michael Toote.  This body was indeed the largest delegation from The Bahamas ever to attend the Inter-America Division’s ASI convention.

The team lead by President Ian Greene anticipated an electrically charged, eventful experience and they were not disappointed. From the opening ceremony featuring the parade of nations to the closing concert the convention left no room for idle minds.  The delegates enjoyed exciting, interactive and spiritually enhanced meetings and seminars.  The morning plenaries were spiritually charged, the afternoon seminars were educational and in the evening Market Place Ministries session the delegates were set on fire to work for the Lord as each countries delegates rendered exciting reports of their work over the year and innovative ideas for the year to come.  When the delegates thought they were flying as high as possible with excitement to push forward the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ through the ministry of ASI, the impossible happened as Dr. C. Wesley Knight helped us to soar to new heights with an inspiring message” Don’t walk!. Run!” in the divine service for Sabbath and then an electrifying charge in the closing event.

ASI Convention Panama was even more memorable as the delegates witnessed the passing of the torch   from one ASI leader to another.  Pastor Leon Wellington who rendered faithful and untiring service for the past 16 years as Secretary for ASI Inter-America Division officially retired and in grand style.  His successor, Pastor James Daniels received his mantle with grace and plans to push with even more vigor the great work of ASI.

The ASI delegation returned from the Panama convention so fired up that they have already began making plans for ASI convention 2018 in Guadeloupe! They want as many as possible to be a part of this great event.  The ASI theme song says

“There’s a place for every worker in the vineyard of the Lord,

Where with all our powers united, we can toil with one accord

There are needy hearts now waiting for the help which we can give

Let us guide them safely onward, let us show them how to live.”

Team ASI plans to have a dynamic, spirit filled year in the service of the Lord.

Some of our plans include:

• The implementation of Jr. ASI for Bahamas Academy
• Collegiate ASI
• ASI for retired professionals
• ASI Sabbath coming in September
• ASI business fair in November

All workers, working professionals and business owners are welcome to be a part of this team. Come and find out how you can share Christ in the market place.  For further information you can contact President Ian Greene: 556 0492 or Secretary Shandera Smith: 428 4251/ 803 6543

Or email at shiloh4big@hotmail.com or asibahamas242@gmail.com