Role of Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries in the funding ecosystem
Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI) is a network of Seventh-day Adventist laypeople, business owners, professionals, and supporting ministries dedicated to “sharing Christ in the marketplace.” Founded in 1947 as a department of the General Conference to connect church leadership with a growing lay ministry movement, ASI now operates as a non-profit association that mobilizes financial resources, professional skills, and collaborative partnerships to advance mission-focused projects in North America and abroad.
A central component of ASI’s work is project funding. Each year, during the international ASI Convention, a portfolio of ministry projects is selected and presented to members and attendees. Offerings and donations collected are then distributed as targeted grants to these projects. News articles on the site highlight concrete examples: grants of $25,000 to expand the AD Venir School & Outreach Center in Ocongate, Peru; $25,000 to Child Impact International for a rescue campus in the Philippines; $20,000 to BanglaHelp to open a safe home for boys and sponsor girls’ education; and $50,000 to AudioVerse to develop an intelligent Bible platform. Other funded initiatives include media studios, health and wellness programs, and infrastructure that supports long-term ministry.
Funding themes, sectors, and beneficiaries
ASI funding primarily supports “supporting ministries” and member organizations that are aligned with Seventh-day Adventist beliefs and mission. Typical sectors include evangelism and church planting, Christian education and schools, media and digital evangelism, health ministries and lifestyle centers, and humanitarian or community-development work for vulnerable populations. Projects are often international in scope, with stories on the site referencing work across multiple continents, while others strengthen local outreach and training within North America.
Beneficiaries range from established ministries expanding their capacity, such as media platforms or wellness institutes, to smaller initiatives launching new outreach centers or housing for staff. ASI’s membership structure, which includes both individual members and ministry organizations, creates a pipeline through which potential projects can be identified, mentored, and eventually recommended for funding at convention.
General approach to project selection and support
While detailed application instructions are typically communicated through ASI’s internal processes and events, the website shows that project funding is cyclical and closely linked to the annual international convention. Projects are highlighted in convention programming and subsequent news stories, showcasing measurable progress and impact. ASI emphasizes cooperation with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, adherence to biblical principles, and a strong focus on practical, sacrificial service. Ministries benefiting from ASI funding are portrayed as Christ-centered, accountable, and actively engaged in hands-on mission.
Publics accompanied and global impact
Through its grants and networking role, ASI supports a broad range of audiences: students and young professionals, mission workers, healthcare practitioners, media producers, and local church members engaged in outreach. The Young Professionals initiatives, Bible training resources, and chapter network across unions and Canada further extend its influence beyond direct funding, equipping lay members for self-supporting missionary work. Taken together, ASI functions as both a donor and a catalyst, channeling financial resources, mentoring, and visibility to ministries that advance the Adventist message and serve communities worldwide.