16 Aug 2024, 16:37Adina LupuOrlando, Florida
Scottish Mission Prayer Ministries Leader Reflects on ASI Convention in Florida
Adina Lupu, who leads the Scottish Mission Prayer Ministries, shares her insights from the ASI Convention in Florida.
The Adventist Laymen's Services & Industries (ASI) International Convention 2024 was held from July 31st to August 3rd in Orlando, Florida. With around 3,500 registered attendees, the event featured an exhibition where various ministries supporting the work of the SDA Church showcased their projects and shared their future outreach plans. The attendees also had the opportunity to participate in daily United Prayer sessions led by Gem Castor, ASAP Ministries Prayer Coordinator. Throughout the day and into the evening, attendees enjoyed a series of special programmes that included music, testimonies, ministry reports, and inspirational messages.
The theme of this year’s ASI Convention was "Investing in Eternity: Called, Consecrated, Committed." Ted Wilson, President of the General Conference, opened the first evening with a special message expressing the church administration's gratitude to all the laypeople partnering with the church leadership in spreading the Gospel message and encouraged everyone to make God's Word their guide in life and ministry.
The Exhibition Centre hosted over 200 booths, where various ministries showcased their work. Among them were prominent television and radio networks such as 3ABN, It Is Written, Hope Channel, Voice of Prophecy, SUM TV, Adventist World Radio, and others.
Several SDA educational and health institutions were also represented, including Oklahoma Academy, Castle Valley Academy, Weimar University, Uchee Pines Institute, and Wildwood Health Institute. Andrews University highlighted 150 years of educational agriculture history, tracing its roots from Battle Creek College (1874-1901) to Emmanuel Missionary College (1901-1959) and its evolution into Andrews University (1959-present). Today, the university is home to the Department of Sustainable Agriculture, whose motto is “Educating Earth’s Caretakers.” The department offers degrees in fields such as Animal Science and Horticulture.
ASAP Ministries’ mission statement is to “empower local missionaries to restore and disciple the marginalised through a holistic approach to the Gospel.” Their work extends into Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and North America. They reach out through education, evangelism, and humanitarian aid. One project focuses on schools near the Myanmar border, where they support refugees displaced by the civil war. To learn more, visit https://www.asapministries.org.
The Sunshine Orchard Learning Center, situated on the Thai-Burma border, began when a family relocated from Montana in 2008 to serve in Myanmar. Faced with the urgent need to evacuate 120 children to safety in Thailand, this family played a crucial role in facilitating their rescue. Today, Sunshine Orchard has become a thriving school on Thai soil, providing education to over 800 students, with 400 of them residing at the school. Visit their website on https://www.karenoutreach.org/.
Angel One’s mission statement is to “assist organisations in acquiring suitable aircraft to support their mission objectives, while also providing ongoing support to ensure the aircraft’s longevity and safety.” One notable initiative is PAMAS (Philippine Adventist Medical Aviation Services), established in 2007. PAMAS aims to offer evacuation services by helicopter or plane to individuals in the Philippines, regardless of their financial situation. Today, 80% of their flights are dedicated to medical evacuations. Find out more on http://medicalaviation.org/site/philippines/.
Christmas Behind Bars shares the following on their website “…started many years ago visiting one county jail at Christmas with small gift packages containing personal hygiene items, devotional materials, songs and words of encouragement, letting the inmates know that they are not forgotten, and that God still loves them and has a plan to prosper those who will allow Him to do a work in them. Though we started as a small annual outreach during the Christmas season, we have expanded to a ministry that visits prisons 365 days of the year! From Lemuel’s conversion from a life of drugs and incarceration to a new life found in Christ, full of meaning and a passion for the broken; to hundreds of individuals who have volunteered to hand-assemble thousands of care packages monthly; Christmas Behind Bars has been able to grow to facilities that have over 3,000 inmates!” Find out more on https://www.christmasbehindbars.org/.
Saving Orphans through Healthcare and Outreach (SOHO) is a US-based organisation that partners with a local group in Eswatini to enhance the quality of life and life expectancy for orphans and vulnerable children. For over 20 years, SOHO has been conducting outreach programmes, operating clinics, and constructing multi-purpose centres that include preschools. Visit their website on https://saving-orphans.org/.
In Discipleship is “a global volunteer movement inspired by God to mentor people young and old for the purpose of calling all generations to a daily, personal revival with the Lord Jesus Christ, equipping parents, mentors, and leaders to disciple all children in their care to trust, follow and share Jesus, and mobilising homes, schools, and places of worship to partner in discipling every child to Jesus.” They offer written resources and retreats designed to help members cultivate a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Jesus. Find out more on https://indiscipleship.org/.
The General Conference Revival and Reformation Department is a global initiative aimed at fostering spiritual renewal and personal transformation within the SDA Church. At the ASI Convention, attendees had the opportunity to access written resources designed to support their Christian journey. The department's latest initiative, "The Way Back to the Altar," is a significant global appeal by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, urging everyone to engage in daily personal worship and strengthen their relationship with God. Find out more on https://www.backtothealtar.org/. For more resources, visit https://www.revivalandreformation.org/.
Other ministries present at the ASI Convention included Arctic Mission Adventure, Northwest Mission Institute, Farm Stew, Navajo Mission, Uplifting Him Ministries, Fountain Valley Remedies, Advent Lighthouse Ministries, the GC Sabbath School & Personal Ministries Department, Generation Youth for Christ, Oon Jai Foundation, ADRA, the E.G. White Estate, Red River Outpost, and many others.
Gem Castor, ASAP Ministries Prayer Coordinator, shared that to him ASI is a “fellowship of believers that encourages you to live your life every hour for Jesus. A life of purpose. A life of mission."
Melody Mason, a coordinator of the "Back to the Altar" Initiative with the GC Ministerial Association, shared “I love ASI. I went to my first convention in 1994. I have attended the annual convention almost every year since. Being at this convention is always the highlight of my year as I get to meet and network with friends and ministry leaders from all around the world. There’s so much energy, and so much enthusiasm to do big things for Jesus. However, the biggest blessing for me is hearing the miracle testimonies and stories of personal evangelism, and seeing how people are willing to sacrifice their lives so that people in difficult places can receive the gospel. It’s very inspiring and motivates me to get more involved. If you ever have a chance to experience ASI, your whole life and perspective on ministry will change.”
From a personal perspective, the ASI Convention has been an eye-opener. It’s evident that God has placed a multitude of beacons of light across the globe—individuals passionate about Jesus and the redemption of His blood. Energised by His Holy Spirit, these devoted individuals leave everything behind to serve wherever He leads. Through their commitment and sacrifices, the world becomes brighter and better for many in need. Their service spans numerous projects and initiatives, addressing others' needs through preaching, teaching, and healing as commissioned. As Matthew 4:19 (Amplified Bible) says, "And He said to them, ‘Follow Me (as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking in the same path of life that I walk), and I will make you fishers of men.’”
Adina Lupu, who leads the Scottish Mission Prayer Ministries, shares her insights from the ASI Convention in Florida.
The Adventist Laymen's Services & Industries (ASI) International Convention 2024 was held from July 31st to August 3rd in Orlando, Florida. With around 3,500 registered attendees, the event featured an exhibition where various ministries supporting the work of the SDA Church showcased their projects and shared their future outreach plans. The attendees also had the opportunity to participate in daily United Prayer sessions led by Gem Castor, ASAP Ministries Prayer Coordinator. Throughout the day and into the evening, attendees enjoyed a series of special programmes that included music, testimonies, ministry reports, and inspirational messages.
The theme of this year’s ASI Convention was "Investing in Eternity: Called, Consecrated, Committed." Ted Wilson, President of the General Conference, opened the first evening with a special message expressing the church administration's gratitude to all the laypeople partnering with the church leadership in spreading the Gospel message and encouraged everyone to make God's Word their guide in life and ministry.
The Exhibition Centre hosted over 200 booths, where various ministries showcased their work. Among them were prominent television and radio networks such as 3ABN, It Is Written, Hope Channel, Voice of Prophecy, SUM TV, Adventist World Radio, and others.
Several SDA educational and health institutions were also represented, including Oklahoma Academy, Castle Valley Academy, Weimar University, Uchee Pines Institute, and Wildwood Health Institute. Andrews University highlighted 150 years of educational agriculture history, tracing its roots from Battle Creek College (1874-1901) to Emmanuel Missionary College (1901-1959) and its evolution into Andrews University (1959-present). Today, the university is home to the Department of Sustainable Agriculture, whose motto is “Educating Earth’s Caretakers.” The department offers degrees in fields such as Animal Science and Horticulture.
ASAP Ministries’ mission statement is to “empower local missionaries to restore and disciple the marginalised through a holistic approach to the Gospel.” Their work extends into Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and North America. They reach out through education, evangelism, and humanitarian aid. One project focuses on schools near the Myanmar border, where they support refugees displaced by the civil war. To learn more, visit https://www.asapministries.org.
The Sunshine Orchard Learning Center, situated on the Thai-Burma border, began when a family relocated from Montana in 2008 to serve in Myanmar. Faced with the urgent need to evacuate 120 children to safety in Thailand, this family played a crucial role in facilitating their rescue. Today, Sunshine Orchard has become a thriving school on Thai soil, providing education to over 800 students, with 400 of them residing at the school. Visit their website on https://www.karenoutreach.org/.
Angel One’s mission statement is to “assist organisations in acquiring suitable aircraft to support their mission objectives, while also providing ongoing support to ensure the aircraft’s longevity and safety.” One notable initiative is PAMAS (Philippine Adventist Medical Aviation Services), established in 2007. PAMAS aims to offer evacuation services by helicopter or plane to individuals in the Philippines, regardless of their financial situation. Today, 80% of their flights are dedicated to medical evacuations. Find out more on http://medicalaviation.org/site/philippines/.
Christmas Behind Bars shares the following on their website “…started many years ago visiting one county jail at Christmas with small gift packages containing personal hygiene items, devotional materials, songs and words of encouragement, letting the inmates know that they are not forgotten, and that God still loves them and has a plan to prosper those who will allow Him to do a work in them. Though we started as a small annual outreach during the Christmas season, we have expanded to a ministry that visits prisons 365 days of the year! From Lemuel’s conversion from a life of drugs and incarceration to a new life found in Christ, full of meaning and a passion for the broken; to hundreds of individuals who have volunteered to hand-assemble thousands of care packages monthly; Christmas Behind Bars has been able to grow to facilities that have over 3,000 inmates!” Find out more on https://www.christmasbehindbars.org/.
Saving Orphans through Healthcare and Outreach (SOHO) is a US-based organisation that partners with a local group in Eswatini to enhance the quality of life and life expectancy for orphans and vulnerable children. For over 20 years, SOHO has been conducting outreach programmes, operating clinics, and constructing multi-purpose centres that include preschools. Visit their website on https://saving-orphans.org/.
In Discipleship is “a global volunteer movement inspired by God to mentor people young and old for the purpose of calling all generations to a daily, personal revival with the Lord Jesus Christ, equipping parents, mentors, and leaders to disciple all children in their care to trust, follow and share Jesus, and mobilising homes, schools, and places of worship to partner in discipling every child to Jesus.” They offer written resources and retreats designed to help members cultivate a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Jesus. Find out more on https://indiscipleship.org/.
The General Conference Revival and Reformation Department is a global initiative aimed at fostering spiritual renewal and personal transformation within the SDA Church. At the ASI Convention, attendees had the opportunity to access written resources designed to support their Christian journey. The department's latest initiative, "The Way Back to the Altar," is a significant global appeal by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, urging everyone to engage in daily personal worship and strengthen their relationship with God. Find out more on https://www.backtothealtar.org/. For more resources, visit https://www.revivalandreformation.org/.
Other ministries present at the ASI Convention included Arctic Mission Adventure, Northwest Mission Institute, Farm Stew, Navajo Mission, Uplifting Him Ministries, Fountain Valley Remedies, Advent Lighthouse Ministries, the GC Sabbath School & Personal Ministries Department, Generation Youth for Christ, Oon Jai Foundation, ADRA, the E.G. White Estate, Red River Outpost, and many others.
Gem Castor, ASAP Ministries Prayer Coordinator, shared that to him ASI is a “fellowship of believers that encourages you to live your life every hour for Jesus. A life of purpose. A life of mission."
Melody Mason, a coordinator of the "Back to the Altar" Initiative with the GC Ministerial Association, shared “I love ASI. I went to my first convention in 1994. I have attended the annual convention almost every year since. Being at this convention is always the highlight of my year as I get to meet and network with friends and ministry leaders from all around the world. There’s so much energy, and so much enthusiasm to do big things for Jesus. However, the biggest blessing for me is hearing the miracle testimonies and stories of personal evangelism, and seeing how people are willing to sacrifice their lives so that people in difficult places can receive the gospel. It’s very inspiring and motivates me to get more involved. If you ever have a chance to experience ASI, your whole life and perspective on ministry will change.”
From a personal perspective, the ASI Convention has been an eye-opener. It’s evident that God has placed a multitude of beacons of light across the globe—individuals passionate about Jesus and the redemption of His blood. Energised by His Holy Spirit, these devoted individuals leave everything behind to serve wherever He leads. Through their commitment and sacrifices, the world becomes brighter and better for many in need. Their service spans numerous projects and initiatives, addressing others' needs through preaching, teaching, and healing as commissioned. As Matthew 4:19 (Amplified Bible) says, "And He said to them, ‘Follow Me (as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking in the same path of life that I walk), and I will make you fishers of men.’”
