South Africa-Indian Ocean Hosts ASI Business Convention

Victoria Falls, affectionately known as Mosi-Oa-Tunya (“the smoke that thunders”), was the venue for the fourth edition of the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division (SID) Adventist-laymen’s Services & Industries (ASI) Convention. Dozens of businesspeople and church leaders converged in Livingstone, the marquee tourism city of Zambia, for this high-profile business convention. Running under the theme “Enterprise Unusual,” business presentations were presented by various businesspeople to equip and inspire church members.

Dr. Jongimpi Papu, SID vice president, conducted the devotions that inspired and uplifted the attendees. Advocate Dengure, the current ASI-SID president, believes this meeting is a game changer, as members strive to live the theme. Dr. Hopeson Bonya, SID vice president responsible for coordinating the affairs of ASI, said, “As a division, we are pleased to see the business community working hand in glove for the mission of the church. If we as [a] church can continue with this spirit, we will finish the work very soon.”

The ASI leaders believe when businesspeople meet together to share ideas, the end product will be an explosion in evangelism, thereby living to the ASI motto, “Sharing Christ in the Market Place.” The participants were equally humbled by the presentations from various speakers who came to share and instill the spirit of collaboration.

One of the moving presentations was that from Onesayi Workington Sithole, who emphasized the importance of liberating the mindset of the people, if members are to explore the potential in them. “Some of our friends still need to be liberated mentally, if we are to become credible businesspeople in our communities.” echoed Sithole.

One of the guest speakers at the ASI convention was none other than the first female mayor of Livingstone, Constance Nalishebo Mukelebai, who thanked the work being done by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Zambia, specifically in uplifting the lives of the community in the fields of education and health. The mayor said, “The government of Zambia is very happy with the work done by churches, especially the Seventh-day Adventist Church, in improving the lives of ordinary people.”

Dr. Vanny Munyumbwa, president of the Southern Zambia Union Conference, which hosted the event, said the visit by the Livingstone mayor was a sure sign that the church was doing a fantastic job in the country. He challenged the delegates and said, “The presence of government shows that we are doing a good job and that the government is watching us, so let us keep up the good work.”

Delegates were further challenged by businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei to be united, as it would be impossible to accomplish the mission of the church while divided. “We must as businesspeople make our resources available for God’s work so that we can hasten His second coming.”

One of the highlights of this convention was the pledge by the ASI members to emulate Jesus Christ’s ministry of love and compassion by raising funds to assist the 23 former sex workers who were baptized after the Adventist World Radio evangelistic meetings, which were conducted in Victoria Falls by Dr. Duane McKey, AWR president, and Dr. Harrington Simui Akombwa, SID president. In line with their motto, “From Broadcast to Baptism,” the former sex workers, now affectionately known as “The Friends of Jesus,” have been given initial seed money by AWR to the tune of US$15,000 to help them start a new life and fend for their loved ones, far from the streetlights.

The money was handed to the 23 ladies at Hillcrest Seventh-day Adventist Church by Mayor Mukelebai, and the event was attended by the local church elder and Dr. Munyumbwa. Sister Esther, the Friends of Jesus spokesperson, said, “We are thankful to the Seventh-day Adventist Church for this good gesture of pointing us to Jesus and taking us away from the streets. They have given us cash to look after our families; they have paid our rentals for five months and initiated a garden project, a Grinding Meal and a Chicken Project, so that we can have a meaningful income as we start our own business.”

The ASI businesspeople then invited The Friends of Jesus to the “Big Sabbath” to worship together, and they managed to raise over US$16,000.00, which will go towards the welfare of the sisters as they find their way back into the community. Stanely Kondongwe, ASI-SID director responsible for projects, said, “By donating to our dear sisters, we are leaving an impact in Livingstone, that ASI was here not just to talk, but to share Christ in the marketplace.” The next ASI-SID Convention will be held in May 2024 in Luanda, Angola.

The original version of this story was posted on the Adventist Echo website.

Photo: Adventist Echo