President of the Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries (ASi) in Jamaica, Elder Cecil Foster, headed a delegation of more than twenty ASi members, evangelists and pastors from across the Caribbean who paid a courtesy call on Governor General Sir Patrick Allen on August 14, 2023, just two days prior to the start of the ASi Inter-America Division (IAD) Convention scheduled to run from August 16 - 19, 2023 in Montego Bay. Jamaica was chosen as the country to host the twenty fifth ASi Convention and this will be the first in person convention since the pandemic hit in 2020.
ASI Jamaica president, Elder Cecil Foster (Extreme right), introduces Ms. Yvonne Lawson, Public Relations Officer of ASI Jamaica (First person on the left) to Governor General Sir Patrick Allen (fourth from left). Captured in this photo are Pastor Anthony Baugh, Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Director, EJC, (second from the left) and Pastor Meric Walker, president, EJC ( third from left ) :: Photo credit: Phillip E. L. Castell
Sir Patrick Allen was more than pleased to see the delegation and seized the opportunity to welcome the team, especially those from other Caribbean islands. “I welcome you to our island and thank you in a special way for taking the time to be here,” the Governor General said when he addressed the group that was assembled in the ball room at Kings House.
Elder Foster was happy to share with the Governor General that the ASI Impact Jamaica 2023 initiative that was recently held across the island was a success as scores of individuals accepted the message and were baptized as members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica. Sir Patrick Allen commended the ASI president for the work he and his team have been doing across the country and encouraged them to go where the Lord was leading them.
Governor General, Sir Patrick Allen (standing) extends warm welcome to members of the visiting ASI delegation who paid him a courtesy call on August 14, 2023. Seated beside him is Elder Cecil Foster, president ASI Jamaica. :: Photo credit: Philip E. L. Castell
As the former head of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica, the Governor General was more than familiar with the focus and work of Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries and encouraged the group to continue to use their resources to help others and build up the Kingdom of God. “We have a responsibility through our businesses to touch lives and help humanity and through our activity to attract people to Jesus Christ,” the Governor General said.
Noting that God has appointed people at every level of society to do his work, Sir Patrick Allen shared that his preparation for the work as Head of State in Jamaica came through his service as a school teacher, school principal, church pastor then head of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica. “We are one in our mission, we share a common hope in Christ, wherever you are commissioned to go, then go as you walk in the footsteps of Jesus,” the Governor General said.
Governor General Sir Patrick Allen engages Elder Cecil Foster in conversation during the courtesy call made to him by a delegation of ASI members from across the Caribbean on August 14, 2023. :: Photo credit: Phillip E. L. Castell
The ASI Convention will be held at the Hilton Rose Hall Hotel & Spain Montego Bay (and will be held) under the theme “ Reigniting the Flame for Mission”. The convention will feature presentations and seminars focused on mission, health and the environment. Guests speakers will include Pastors Elie Henry, president, IAD, Leonard Johnson, executive secretary, Franck Geneus, health ministries director, as well as Philip Baptiste, secretary-treasurer of ASi North America, and other speakers from throughout the IAD territory. Seminar presenters will include Dr. Lisabeth Crossman, Dr. Frank Geneus, Dr. Joel Hazlewood, Andre Gooden, Danny Morris, HE R. Masakui and others.
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