The Adventist-Laymen’s Services and Industries (ASi) in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church recently held its annual event in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines, from June 29 to July 2.
The second annual convention, which took place at the Provincial Government Center, gathered Seventh-day Adventist professionals and laypersons from various fields. Their shared goal was to foster connections and share their expertise and experiences to further the mission of the Adventist Church.
Adventist leaders and directors from the SSD and the South Philippines Union Conference (SPUC) led a discussion on the importance of developing meaningful relationships and collaborating on various outreach projects. Attendees were able to choose from and participate in a variety of discussions and networking sessions. Speakers from Adventist institutions and the marketplace shared insightful speeches and personal experiences on a variety of topics, event organizers said.
In his message during the Friday evening worship service, SSD Sabbath School director Segundino R. Asoy emphasized the steward’s calling to preach the gospel. “We are reminded of our divine calling to proclaim the gospel in any capacity that is given to us,” Asoy said. “Regardless of our profession or current status in life, our top priority is to be God’s ministers in any field He has called us,” he emphasized.
SSD associate secretary Mamerto Guingguing II talked about real success as something that is not attained through earthly possessions but through confidence in the God who can do everything “for every believing soul.”
“What we have accomplished does not define our success,” Guingguing said. “It is determined by faithfully submitting our lives to God’s leading intervention and witnessing for ourselves how this life has been used to further His work.”
During the Commitment Service, Guingguing made an appeal to the event participants. He emphasized the significance of God’s redemptive love on a person’s leadership and shared touching stories about Seventh-day Adventists making a difference in other people’s lives. The service ended with a benedictory prayer by SPUC Sabbath School director Abundionito Cayme Jr.
The connections forged and the knowledge shared during the event empowered the Adventist professionals and laypersons to serve as ambassadors of hope in their respective fields, organizers said. ASi members are now in talks to hold a special evangelistic series in 2024. They plan and feel encouraged to get involved and participate in the series.
Next year, a division-wide ASi Convention will be held in Indonesia and is expected to feature renowned evangelists and speakers from the General Conference, organizers said.
The original version of this story was posted on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division news site.
