Who We Are, How We Serve

The Columbia Union Conference, established in 1907 to coordinate the Seventh-day Adventist Church's work in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, is part of the worldwide Protestant denomination of 23 million members in more than 212 countries. At the union level, we connect and provide administrative leadership, governance and support services to our conferences, schools, health care networks and ministries. Each year, our organizations sponsor programs and projects that address human needs, improve quality of life and introduce people to Jesus. Read our Mission, Values and Priorities.

We Believe

God is love, power, and splendor—and God is a mystery. His ways are far beyond us, but He still reaches out to us. God is infinite yet intimate, three yet one,
all-knowing yet all-forgiving.

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The Center for Youth Evangelism has officially appointed Pedro Perez as the new Pathfinder Camporee director. Perez steps into the role succeeding Ron Whitehead, who provided visionary leadership as both the CYE executive director and International Pathfinder Camporee director for 29 years.

Perez brings to the CYE a wealth of experience, most recently serving as the Pathfinder and Adventurer director for the Florida Conference since 2017. His extensive background in youth ministry also includes leading in the Florida Conference as Youth Ministries director (2010–2017) and previously serving as youth director for the Southern New England Conference.

Story by Eduardo Monteiro

The New Jersey Conference launched 2026 with its annual Regional Ministries Training, held across its three regions: north, central and south.

The excitement was evident from the start as lay leaders gathered with a shared desire to grow and serve more effectively. Departmental leaders and conference staff led seminars designed to provide practical tools, resources and guidance to strengthen ministry in local churches.

Nearly 1,000 church leaders participated in the training, with more than half attending for the first time.

Story by Francis Tuffour

What began as a challenge during Sabbath worship at the Cincinnati Hispanic church ultimately became a powerful ministry that is now shaping the spiritual lives of children and strengthening the entire congregation.

When the church’s pastor, Fredy Funez, first visited the congregation after being assigned there, he immediately noticed the atmosphere inside the sanctuary. Large fans hummed loudly, infants cried, children whispered and moved about and a steady murmur filled the room. The distractions competed with the message he was trying to deliver from the pulpit.

That Sabbath, one question weighed heavily on his mind: How could this situation be addressed?

Story by ADRA International Staff

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is responding to the growing Ebola Bundibugyo Disease crisis affecting parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring Uganda through prevention, hygiene support, and community education efforts aimed at slowing the spread of the deadly virus.

According to regional reports, 121 Ebola cases have been confirmed, including 18* deaths. Health officials warn that delayed detection of the outbreak has complicated response efforts and increased the risk of wider transmission. Currently there is no vaccine for this strain of the deadly virus.

Photo from ADRA

By Paulo Lopes, President, ADRA International

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” — Matthew 19:14 (NIV)

There is a moment in the Gospels that I return to often. The disciples, trying to manage the crowd, turn children away from Jesus. And Jesus stops them. He doesn’t simply allow the children to approach. He rebukes those who would keep them at a distance. “Let them come,” He says. “Do not hinder them.”