More than 150 ASI (Adventist-laymen's Services and Industries) Northwest chapter members and guests gathered at Eagle Crest resort April 21–24 for their annual meeting, themed "In Christ Alone" this year. They enjoyed beautiful music, inspiring messages and great fellowship and food in a memorable high-desert spring setting.
The evening meetings featured James Rafferty, ASI Northwest president, powerfully preaching Christ in the book of Revelation. Sung Kwon gave an immensely practical seminar entitled "Lay Leadership in Ministries," which was designed to equip lay members to effectively lead in nonprofit ministries with purposeful planning. Kwon is the head of Adventist Community Services for the North American Division, in Silver Spring, Md.
Boise businessman Fred Cornforth led out in morning worship, “Speaking Life” to others, as Jesus did in love. He also moderated a roundtable discussion on nonprofit operations with Kwon, Dick Duerksen, Bruce Farjli, Randy Meyer and Rafferty, bringing a higher level of integrity as to how charitable organizations can operate more wisely and effectively.
In the afternoon, a group of health professionals including Ted Mackett, Rise Rafferty, Larry Dodds and Brenda Duerksen engaged in a panel discussion, "Health Ministry as a Pathway to the Heart."
On Sabbath morning, Rick Westermeyer, ASI vice president, led the lesson study in a feature entitled "Building on the Solid Rock." The Sabbath sermon, by Dave Allen, Oregon Conference vice president, was a profound message, "Thank You for Jesus, Amen."
On Sabbath afternoon a musical concert featured the Valley View quartet, cellist Ron Benfield, pianist Lisa Thorman and others. Several young adults from SOULS Northwest and Arise Institute gave their inspiring personal testimonies in a witnessing seminar led by Vincent Onkoba, vice president for evangelism.
The musical team, led by Lisa Thorman, featured Boise praise team Ken and Cherie Bevins, Cheryl and Kiera Wylie, Jill Cornforth and Kimberly Miljatovic. Many attendees who mentioned it as a highlight of the weekend.
Ten lay-led Northwest ministries — including Lightbearers, Better Life Broadcasting and Impact Hope — had booths explaining their areas of ministry.
An offering of more than $35,000 was given on Sabbath morning. It will be split among seven Northwest ministries to fund a special project they will report back on at the 2017 ASI Northwest conference, to be held in Boise, Idaho, April 20–23, 2017.
The Caring Hands director, Randy Meyers, drove a semitruck pulling a fully equipped mobile dental clinic for attendees to tour. The mobile unit has been used around the Northwest to provide free dental care to those in need and was featured in the ASI-sponsored Impact Portland free dental, vision and medical clinic for the underserved population, held on the Portland Adventist Academy campus in Portland, Ore., Aug. 26–28.
The closing Sunday morning program, "With God all Things are Possible," featured Terry Johnsson's amazing personal testimony about what led him to serve as honor guard in the White House for four presidents
ASI is an organization of Adventist laypeople involved in professions, industry, education and services. It exists to provide challenge, nurture and experience in sharing Jesus in the workplace as well as support the global mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. ASI's vision is that its members will be known for their unswerving honesty in business principles and practices, unflagging participation in the various ministries of the church, unwavering positiveness toward church leadership, unhesitating provision for the needs of others, and untiring focus on the Jesus Christ they represent in the marketplace. Please plan on joining us for our 2017 conference in Boise, Idaho.
Fred Cornforth, ASI member
