Libna Stevens
Aug 19, 2011
August 19, 2011 - Ocho Rios, Jamaica...Libna Stevens/IAD
image by Nigel Coke/IAD
The group Ecclesia from the Braeton Adventist Church in Jamaica performs one of their various cultural numbers during the opening ceremony of Inter-America's 11th ASI annual convention in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Aug. 17, 2011.
Inter-America began its 11th annual convention of the Adventist Laymen's and Services Industries (ASI) streamed online on August 17, from Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Local government officials and regional church leaders welcomed the nearly 300 delegates and hundreds more Seventh-day Adventists to the West Indies island event.
Sharing Christ in the marketplace, networking and becoming better businessmen and professionals is one of the main goals of the convention, organizers said. Dozens of seminars on professional development and business management and more are schedule before the end of the convention tomorrow.
The Honorable Shahine Robinson, Minister of State from the North-East St. Ann's and Member of Parliament representing the Office of the Prime Minister, lauded the church for its contribution to the betterment of the country and the importance the church has played through church programs and institutions throughout Jamaica.
"Today the church faces the greatest challenge," said Robinson. "The primary crisis is not only economic or political challenges but we are facing a moral one because of the absence of Christ in the home."
Robinson challenged Adventist businesses and professionals to continue to build society, explore solutions to economic challenges and spread the message of hope to those in need.
Highlights of the opening ceremony included a march by a large pathfinder a folkloric performance, a parade of flags from each ASI chapter represented at the convention, a musical concert, and a spiritual message by Dr. Elie Henry, executive secretary of the church in Inter-America.
"Hope is one thing needed in our time," said Dr. Henry as he highlighted his message with the Messengers of Hope theme of the convention. "Hope is vital, it is critical for our everyday survival in life and it is the kind of hope found in the Scriptures that God describes us to have. A hope which carries an attitude of confidence, expectation and trust."
Henry encouraged the delegation to spread hope as they share it in their businesses in commitment to the mission of the church.
Featured in this year's convention include a special donation by ASI chapter members to St. Ann Bay's General Hospital, as well as the election of a new ASI president and officers as well.
To watch the worship service live from Jamaica on August 20, 2011, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Jamaica Time or 12:00 noon Eastern Daylight Time click here
or go to our Official IAD Facebook Page under Live Video Channel menu link here
To view a photo gallery of the event visit our flickr account at http://www.flickr.com/photos/interamerica
image by Abel Marquez/IAD
Dr. Elie Henry, executive secretary of the church in Inter-America spoke to ASI-Inter-American delegates during this year's convention opening on Aug. 17, in Ocho Rios, Jamaica . Dr. Henry challenged delegates to further commit to sharing hope in their bu
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