More than 2,000 Seventh-day Adventists attending a Sabbath worship service at the Albuquerque Convention Center raised over US $2.8 million for world mission projects.
More than 2,000 Seventh-day Adventists attending a Sabbath worship service at the Albuquerque Convention Center raised over US $2.8 million for world mission projects.
The worship service was a highlight of the 56th Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries Convention held in New Mexico’s leading city from Aug. 6 to 9, 2003. Of the money raised during the worship service, $1 million was allocated to Sow 1 Billion—a global effort, jointly supported by the world church and ASI, to distribute 1,000 million Bible study invitations.
Garwin McNeilus, a long-time member and supporter of ASI, gave the offering appeal, highlighting a recurring theme of the convention. “When Jesus said go into all the world with this good news of God’s love, He wasn’t just talking to pastors, or teachers or evangelists, or church administrators,” said McNeilus. “He was talking to you and me, everyone who is a follower of Christ.”
ASI is a major supporter of mission projects around the world; this year’s offering will contribute to outreach projects in 15 countries. The organization’s members, mainly Adventists in business or professions, are also focused on sharing their faith locally, during their every-day activities. “You are either a missionary or a mission field,” said Carol Squier, a registered nurse from Collegedale, Tennessee and a guest speaker at the event.
Teams of ASI young people, most under 20 years of age, conducted ten evangelistic series in New Mexico in the three weeks leading up to the convention. A total of more than 700 people attended the series, with 147 requesting baptism. Three of these teen evangelists spoke during the Sabbath worship service, describing their experience with public evangelism as “powerful” and “life-changing.”
ASI members also took care of the organization’s business during the convention, voting Debbie Young, of Quiet Moment Ministry, Ypsilanti, Michigan, the new president of ASI. Young is the first female and first African-American to be elected to the top ASI job; most recent ASI presidents have been businessmen. Outgoing president, Denzil McNeilus, was honored during the convention for nurturing youth evangelism, and for significantly strengthening the organizational structure of ASI, both nationally and internationally.
There were 13 seminars conducted each day as well as separate programming for children and youth. Nearly 300 exhibition booths gave convention visitors information on a wide variety of Adventist organizations and supporting ministries. Three Angel’s Broadcasting Network broadcast the major ASI programs by satellite globally.
Next year’s ASI International Convention will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 4 to 7.
