ASI Thriving in the Lake Union

By: Shannon Kelly

On the weekend of April 15-16, the Lake Union Chapter of Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI) held their annual meeting in St. Joseph, Michigan. A diverse crowd of 108 business owners and individual professionals came together to share testimonies of how God has been working and to learn future goals of ASI. “We want you to go home on fire,” ASI President Steve Dickman said to the attendees. ASI believes that the work of laypeople is critical to finishing God’s work, as evidenced in part of their motto: “Sharing Christ in the Marketplace.” “[We want to use it] not just as a model, but to practice [it],” said Viorel Catarama, a general contractor and owner of Catarama Homes.

Dickman announced that this year’s offerings would be divided between three ministries: ASAP (Advocates for Southeast Asians and the Persecuted), Las Palmas Orphanage in the Dominican Republic, and funding for 2017 ASI mission trips. The goal was $6,700; the total came to $10,729.

The afternoon meeting commenced with Jeff and Joyce Tatarchuk, who came representing CrossFit Berrien, a workout program. They explained how they use CrossFit not only to help participants become healthier, but as a new way to share Jesus with a diverse community.

Garren and Bonnie Dent, representing Harbor of Hope church, announced that, after years of renting a building and facing various restrictions from the property owner, God answered prayers by helping the church to raise enough money to buy a building of their own. The facility is currently undergoing renovation, and the church is excited to be able to continue and expand the ministry that Harbor of Hope provides, with much more freedom than they had before.

Andrews University student Emory Dent shared how he and other students have “put feet to their faith” and started the Least of These Ministries. Participants make monthly trips to Chicago to pass out personal hygiene supplies, snacks, and other small gifts to the homeless, building relationships and ministering in the process.

John and Millie Youngberg glowed with excitement sharing stories of God’s work through their organization, Win! Wellness. Their goal is to help people “live longer, healthier, happier, and holier.” The Youngbergs are about to visit their sixth continent, where they will teach about physical health, healthy family life and spiritual wellbeing. Their books on these subjects are translated into 18 languages, resulting in many baptisms all over the world.

Country Life Natural Foods, a ministry of non-profit organization Oak Haven, delivers organic and vegetarian foods to 18 states in America. They also build relationships with customers and use this opportunity to share Jesus. They are developing ties with the Dominican Republic, which has been a focus location for ASI work.

Ty Gibson, the weekend’s guest speaker, talked about Lightbearers, a non-profit multimedia ministry dedicated to preaching the gospel through whatever mediums available. The ultimate goal is to make the gospel go viral worldwide.

ASI President Steve Dickman said that one of ASI’s biggest goals is to establish more One-day Churches around the world. The church frames are set up within hours, providing people with a respectable place to worship. There are currently 7,000 One-day Churches in the world, but at least 100,000 are needed. He hopes to find ways to financially sponsor such an undertaking. God clearly has plans for ASI, and He will surely continue the work He is doing through those involved.