Mongolia Mission (MM) truly believes that in order to spread the gospel message throughout the country, lay members have an essential role to play regarding God’s great commission.
Among these lay members, like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea in the Early Church, there is a special group of men and women who have been called by God to serve with their personal influence and material resources.
Their mission field is often within the more privileged classes of society, people who, despite material prosperity, also lack love, life and salvation like any other human being.
What if we could gather together all the Adventist business people to dialogue and make bold plans for God’s Kingdom in Mongolia? That’s exactly what happened on July 20, 2016, in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia.
A remarkable inauguration ceremony of the ASI (Adventist-Laymen’s Services & Industries) Mongolia Chapter was held at the Flower Hotel main meeting room. Around 30 attendees, consisting mostly of local business people, in addition to administrators of ASI in the Northern Asia Pacific Division (NSD) and MM administrators, accepted the special invitation to join the meeting in order to become fully aware of this new and visionary initiative.
Elder Song JongHyun, NSD ASI president, warmly addressed the participants with his opening remarks. Pastor Kim YoHan, MM president, shared a powerful biblical message. Elder Oh SooHo,NSD ASI vice president, gave an enlightening presentation about ASI’s various services as well as its support ministries. Pastor Bold Batsukh, MM executive secretary, conducted an interesting Q&A and brainstorming session during the meeting.
With the motto “Sharing Christ in the Marketplace,” ASI is committed to supporting the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its various outreach programs, which include health, education, evangelism, community services, family concerns and special projects.
Membership in ASI is available to any Seventh-day Adventist church member in good standing, who operates a business, provides a professional service, or operates a supporting ministry and whose organization has been in operation for at least one year. Members shall be engaged in offering services or products which are compatible with Seventh-day Adventist standards.
Pastor Kim YoHan remarked, “When the NSD ASI president and vice president suggested that we start an ASI program here, I honestly doubted whether it would work smoothly, but I was wrong. God is the one who wants to launch this project.
All the participants were very engaged and passionate about learning more and getting started with ASI programs and activities. I am totally convinced that this is a historical event for MM, and I hope that through this program God’s kingdom will be expanded in our country.”
Nowadays, in the corporate world, networking is one of the most important tools for business people, and of course it could not be different regarding church work. Based on this, the attendees also took the opportunity to develop relationships during a special dinner after the business meeting, sponsored by NSD ASI.
“I was worried about how many business people would attend the inauguration ceremony of ASI Mongolia Chapter, but when we got there, the room was crowded. They were very interested and eager to learn more. I was especially moved when one of them asked me, ‘Why didn’t you come to Mongolia before? We really need this ministry (ASI) in our country as soon as possible.’ I have to say, Praise the Lord!” stated Elder Song JongHyun.
Ellen G. White says that “to every man is given ‘his work’ (Mark 13:34), the work for which his capabilities adapt him, the work which will result in greatest good to himself and to his fellow men, and in greatest honor to God” (Education, p. 138).
The newly launched ASI Mongolia Chapter is really committed to accomplishing its work in the name of the Lord and by the power of the Holy Spirit!
By Yure Gramacho – MM Communication Director