The Inter-American Division (IAD) celebrated twenty-five years of sharing Christ in the marketplace. The IAD's Adventist Laymen Services and Industries (ASI) 2023 convention was hosted by the Jamaican Chapter for the third time since its formation in this region. ASI was formed in this division in 1998 and the very first convention was held in Jamaica.

The opening ceremony was held at King's Seventh-day Adventist church in West Jamaica Conference. The visiting chapters participated in the parade of nations and those present were treated to a cultural presentation by the host country. Present at the ceremony were various national, international, and spiritual leaders, including the chief Secretary and Secretary for Finance, Trade, and Economy for Tobago Farley Chavez who is also an ASi member. He shared the importance of collaborating with organizations such as ASi to help build communities. 

“For us from Tobago, we have grown to learn that lighting that flame, keeping it ignited has very little to do with the size of your territory, but rather has everything to do with one's faith and the bigness of the God we serve,” Chavez said. IAD executive secretary Pastor Leonard Johnson provided the opening charge. He reminded those present that it is a privilege to serve God and contribute our services and business to him. On Thursday and Friday at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa, members from the ASi delegations gathered for morning devotionals as well as interactive and innovative sessions throughout the day. 

The Bahamas and Costa Rica chapters hosted the Thursday sessions with various chapter members conducting parts of the service. Executive Secretary for ASi in the North American Division, Philip Baptiste, provided a powerful devotion to how everyone is divinely designed by God. 

“You were a vision, before you were an embryo, and you were formed by the fingers of God,” Baptiste said. As the sessions transpired members were also able to visit various booths and displays that were showcased by ASI members from the Jamaican chapter and the IAD. 

At the Noel Fraser Auditorium, church members from across the Jamaican Union, as well as the ASI delegation gathered on Saturday, August 19th, where they were spiritually filled by the Divine service. 

The Governor General of Jamaica, His Excellency, Sir Patrick Allen, was in attendance and remarked that Asi is more than just individuals coming together for business, but for a distinguished purpose, for God's mission. 

“ASi is a living testament to the Biblical call to be the salt and light of the earth,” Sir Allen said. “It is also about daily partnership with God and sharing His love in our everyday lives, in our work, in our businesses, activities, in our ministries, and about reflecting Christ in all our respective vocations,” he added. 

A special offering was collected for two major ASI-related projects for the upcoming year. The first project aims to assist students with their needs at the Port Maria High School in Jamaica. The second project is geared toward financing the youth evangelistic efforts of ASI, also known as ASI Mission 2000, which is led by Marvin Franklin, a stalwart ASI member of the Barbados chapter. 

The congregation was also blessed by the foster triplets who ministered in song and praise, and in his charge, Pastor Leonard Johnson, reminded the congregation to stay focused on the mission of God and his purpose for our lives by spending time with the Father. “What we need today is to know the will of God, the plan of God,” Johnson said. He urged business leaders to look beyond profit to engage in God’s mission, and avid compromising spiritual beliefs. “Yes, we want to make a profit. But more than the profit is presenting Jesus Christ to my customers, in my behavior, [and] in the way I conduct my business,” he said. 

The convention concluded with a grand banquet where various leaders and members were honored for their contribution and work towards the Ministry of Sharing Christ in the marketplace. 

Among those recognized for their service and dedication to the mission was Leon Wellington, who served as the Secretary of ACI into America for 15 years. Also honored was Dr. Marston Thomas, who served as the former ACI president for the Inter-American Division. A new ASi Inter-America board was selected, and Elder Roland stepped up to the mantle to serve as the new president. 

The new board includes Danny Morris, Jorge Morazan, Yvonne Lawson, Julius Sealy, Cecil Foster and Ian Green from the ASi Bahamas chapter.