ASI – Still changing lives and caring for others
ASI – Still changing lives and caring for others
Written by: Fabia Phillips-Lawrence | Tuesday, September 15, 2015
The Adventist Laymen Services & Industries, ASI, is reiterating it’s still in the business of missionary work as an exclusive day was held for them at the Constant Spring Seventh-day Adventist church.
Several representatives from the various Conferences along with Politicians and specially invited guests were present to witness the day’s events.
ASI President for the Jamaica Union, Judy Morgan, was among several who spoke.
“ASI Jamaica Union is on the move, we are not dormant…members have been following the mandate of Christ’s method; express sympathy, detect felt and real needs, develop meaningful and unconditional relations, create trust and a yearning to associate with Jesus” she said.
She added that when we follow Christ’s methods, we are able to touch the untouchable and through ASI this is possible.
ASI President for the East Chapter, Cecil Foster, also spoke briefly, outlining the role of ASI. According to him, “in ASI there are people who are placed in many different organizations, you interact with people who sometimes are non-church people…so we are encouraged at ASI to share Christ in our marketplace.”
He alluded to the genesis of the Good Samaritan Inn and the challenges faced but spoke of the blessings which multiplied as they worked harder in that ministry.
Elder Foster also gave an update on works which are taking place at the Inn to construct a clinic. The clinic is being built by worldwide mission offerings. The project should be completed in approximately three months’ time. “We pray that as we continue to work and share Christ in the market place, we will all help others to get to the Kingdom of God when he comes” he added.
The Inn is a community drop-in-centre, which is owned and operated by EJC and ASI. “Over the eight years, each year we have served over 43 thousand meals, we have helped back to schoolers in the hundreds, we have given away articles of clothing in the thousands, we have had people from abroad sponsoring containers of shoes for kids going back to school.” he reported
For his part, Inter-American Division, IAD, ASI President, Dr. Marston Thomas, spoke of one of his main objectives when assuming office of replicating ASI in all the Unions in the division.
He reported that they are close to that aim with the exception of Cuba and Belize which don’t have much of a presence in those countries.
“ASI’ers are doing great work…the folks at the Inter-American division support the ASI tremendously…the church sees the benefit of ASI. We may not be as rich as our brothers and sisters in North American ASI who can build one day churches and schools, but thank God…for the part that we are playing in the Inter-American Division in changing lives and caring for others” he cited.
EJC Executive Secretary, Dr. Meric Walker who represented the conference emphasized that church members are living in the time of the end and ASI is about mission.
“ASI must be stronger, must be more committed and the number must grow and I know that before we leave here today you will be informed how you can become members of ASI East Jamaica Chapter” he said.
“It’s a high day, it’s a meaningful day, it’s a significant day, and I am excited…that ASI will be moving forward and onwards, glowing and growing as we look towards heaven at last…we pledge by the grace of God to hold your hands as we journey towards the promised land” he added.
President of the West Jamaica Conference, Pastor Glen O. Samuels, who was the main speaker for the day spoke of the various needs of individuals and gave examples of what God would say if we were to ask him how he was doing today.
Hypothetically speaking, he said God could say he would feel better if persons could help in lifting up the fallen or binding up that broken heart.
“We cannot have a relationship with God and not be concerned about the people that God is concerned about…the truth is that our concept of God is mirrored in our treatment of humanity, our theology affects our sociology” he said.
The day’s service was held under the theme “Reaching further, doing more.”
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