29 September 2025 | Strážovice, Czech Republic [Daniel Klop with tedNEWS]
From 18 to 20 September 2025, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and church members from across Czechia and Slovakia gathered in Strážovice for the annual Adventist-Laymen’s Services & Industries (ASI) The Czechia-Slovakia (ASI-CS) Convention, is a weekend dedicated to fellowship, mission inspiration, and practical testimonies on witnessing in the marketplace. The event combined spiritual messages, professional insights, and a strong commitment to advancing the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the region.
Hosted at the DCM Hotel near Brno, the convention showcased the high level of innovation and entrepreneurship within the ASI-CS chapter. Members shared how they are using their talents and businesses as platforms to share their faith.
Ondřej Fréhar, a serial entrepreneur who built a health-based ice cream company and more recently a solar panel recycling business, spoke about honouring God in business by keeping the Sabbath holy. His decision to close his stalls on Saturdays sparked curiosity from customers, providing opportunities to explain his faith and point to Scripture.
The importance of integrity was highlighted by Jan Rafaj, President of the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic. Representing Czech industry nationally and at the European Union level, Rafaj stressed that honesty and reliability are vital in leadership and policymaking. Drawing on biblical examples such as Esther, Jonah, and Paul, he also spoke of his organisation’s advocacy for fair opportunities for women in the workplace and efforts to close the gender pay gap.
Spiritual inspiration was brought by Pastor Daniel Duda, President of the Trans-European Division of Seventh-day Adventists (TED), who explored the story of Jonah to highlight the importance of staying focused on God’s mission and showing compassion to non-believers.
The convention reached a high point on Sabbath when a special offering exceeded expectations, raising 25% more than the original goal. Funds will support a range of mission-focused projects including Christian early childhood education, prison ministry, literature evangelism, and health outreach.
Carlos Dias, President of ASI Europe, commended, “It was a blessing to see all these great projects being supported by the local chapter. The entire ASI-CS team are skilled, talented, and focused, and they put together this fantastic convention. A special thank you goes to President Pastor Peter Čík for his presence and to the entire Czecho-Slovakian Union Conference for their continued support.”
Daniel Klop, Secretary of ASI Europe, added, “ASI-CS has a high number of talented individuals. Czechia is a country known for its innovation and entrepreneurialism. Internationally renowned companies such as Škoda, ČEZ Group, and Avast are examples of this. In this spirit, I am certain that ASI-CS will continue to build a strong chapter that will support the church’s mission through the projects it sponsors.”
ASI Europe is a network of Seventh-day Adventist professionals and businesspeople dedicated to supporting the Church’s mission across the Inter-European and Trans-European Divisions. Through collaboration and funding, ASI Europe helps advance health, education, evangelism, and community service initiatives in harmony with Adventist values. Learn more at www.asi-europe.org.
[Photos: ASI Europe].
