Nearly 200 Pacific Union chapter ASI members came together at the 650-acre Pacific Palms Resort in Industry Hills, Calif., for the 2008 regional convention April 24 to 27.

This year, Don Mackintosh, director of the Amazing Facts College of Evangelism, provided the devotional each morning, and Mike Ryan, vice president of the General Conference and director of Global Mission, spoke Friday evening and Sabbath morning.

Ryan told the story of a group for whom Maranatha Volunteers International had recently built a church. The congregation had been worshipping under a tree for 32 years.

"Before they became a Seventh-day Adventist congregation, they probably worshipped the tree!" said Don Noble, president of Maranatha. Noble also briefed attendees on a new Maranatha program called "The One-Day Church." Because the demand for church buildings is so great, Maranatha developed a plan to meet more needs in less time. One-day churches are galvanized steel structures with vented roofs that can shelter 125 people. Local members have the option of closing in the walls after the building is up.

Members of Finish the Work, a revival evangelism ministry based near Loma Linda, Calif., were very visible all weekend, as well. They gave testimonies, taught seminars and led the Sabbath worship service. Finish the Workers are passionate about their mission. "There is nothing more precious than a soul," said Mark Generoli, a recent high school graduate and newly-baptized Adventist. "What does it mean to 'finish the work'? It is to work for the saving of souls, to cling to the cross, to take one vital step toward going home!"

ASI, Adventist-Laymen's Services and Industries, is an organization of Adventists who are involved in professions, industry, education or services that exist to provide a venue or method for "sharing Christ in the marketplace." ASI also supports the global mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Conventions, both regional and national, provide networking opportunities for participants, as well as reports and inspirational stories from ASI-sponsored projects and ministries. According to the national ASI website, "Membership in ASI is available to any Seventh-day Adventist Church member in good standing who operates a business, provides a professional service, has a product to sell, or operates a supporting ministry."