Shine Philippines Shine launhced
By Armon Perez Tolentino
The Adventist-Laymen Services and Industries (ASI) director officially opened the Central Luzon Conference (CLC) business convention in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija on Dec. 4-5, 2009 by saying that ‘ASI's ripe for harvest.'
Amelia Soriano, also the Philanthropic, Human Resource (HR) and Adventist Muslim Relations (AMR) director, challenged Adventist business owners to take more part in doing God's business.
"What part do we play [as business people]? Soriano asked. "Be ready and get involved."
This year, the ASI invited several guests that enriched the faith not only of business owners but many of the members of the Adventist church in Nueva Ecija.
Dr. Joel Habarradas, Southern Asia Pacific Division (SSD) Philanthropic director, centered his presentation on the work of philanthropy in involving even non-members in achieving projects for God.
"He [God] is ready to move upon the hearts of worldly men," Habarradas quoted Ellen G. White, a prolific Adventist messenger. " Times are growing hard, and money is difficult to obtain; but God will open the way for us from sources outside our own people."
Habarradas said that much effort should be done ‘to bridge the church to the community and in doing so, members discover the secret to succeed in business as Christians.
"Let us increase our visibility as Seventh-day Adventist Christians in our community as our World Church President Jan Paulsen always says," Habarradas stressed.
Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) Ministry professor, James "Jim" Parkemphasized that ‘the work done thoroughly for a soul is done for many as he shared ‘fruit bearing' is the object of Christian existence.
"The object of the Christian life is fruit bearing," Park quoted White. "The reproduction of Christ's character in the believer so that it maybe reproduced in others."
Pastor Ralph Rhyne of God's Final Call and Warning Independent Ministry (GFCW) USA, with his wife Delores, warned the attendees of the traps of Satan in the last days.
"He [Satan] wants to give us some poison enough to destroy us," Rhyne said.
Boyz Jamandre of the His Coming Broadcasting Network (HCBN) with his team conducted a workshop on media production which according to him is beneficial as a speaker multiplies himself without having to go places.
Another very important event during the convention was the launching of the Shine Philippines Shine, the micro-finance project of the ASI.
David Tan, SSD-ASI president, flew all the way from Thailand to grace the occasion and testify how micro-credit has changed lives in many parts of Asia.
"Christ methods alone will be successful in reaching people," Tan stressed. "Micro-credit is one successful program that we show we are happy givers."
Tan also share his testimony where he gave his secrets for success.
"DRIVE is my key to success," Tan said. "Divine blessings, resources available, ideas that are profitable, virtuous character, and energy to succeed."
The program ended with a commitment service where Park led in the singing of the secular song, "Shine" which automatically became religious after he changed the line, "I am shining on" with "I am shining Lord" with permission from the composer.
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