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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Morning show host Jerry Woods holds up a purse given to him by his sponsored child’s mom.

Story by Jerry Woods

More than 620 children around the world now have sponsors, thanks to WGTS 91.9 listeners. The station just wrapped up its annual “Days of Compassion” event. Every year WGTS teams up with Compassion International to give listeners the opportunity to provide educational support, medical care, food and the gospel message to kids in 25 different countries.

This year’s focus was on children in Kenya. While developing countries around the world have been dealing with COVID-19, Kenya is also dealing with a famine on top of the pandemic.

Hartle Hall residents Kevin Oliveira and Gabriel Moraes hang out together in the dorm.

Story by Andrew S. Lay

Students who don’t live within driving distance of a nearby Seventh-day Adventist academy can still obtain a great Adventist education by living in a dormitory, such as Chesapeake Conference's Highland View Academy in Hagerstown, Md. This arrangement not only offers families more convenience, but it gives students the opportunity to enjoy the entire academy experience—from breakfast in the morning through recreational time or sports practice in the evening.

Photo by Zac Durant

Editorial de Jorge Agüero

El título de este editorial—una combinación del llamado de Dios al profeta Isaías y la Gran Comisión—implica obediencia, consagración, dedicación, entrega, perseverancia e intencionalidad.

Isaías 6:8 dice: “Después oí la voz del Señor, que decía: ¿A quién enviaré, y quién irá por nosotros? Entonces respondí yo: ‘Heme aquí, envíame a mí.’” (RV 1960). Sabiendo que “la mies a la verdad es mucha, más los obreros pocos” (Lucas 10:2, RV 1960), el Señor hace la misma pregunta en medio de esta pandemia: “¿Quién irá?”

El pronto regreso del Señor se evidencia en desastres naturales sin precedentes; caos social, miedo y angustia. Jesús dice: “Cuando estas cosas comiencen a suceder, erguíos y levantad vuestra cabeza, porque vuestra redención está cerca.” (Lucas 21:28, RV 1960). Pero para que el Señor venga, la predicación del evangelio se debe cumplir a cada nación, tribu y lengua (Mateo 24:14; Apocalipsis 14:6).

Jesús nos ha dado un mandato “id, y haced discípulos a todas las naciones” (Mateo 28:19, RV 1960), y Aquel que posee toda la autoridad y el poder nos capacitará para cumplir esta misión.

Photo by Priscilla du Preez via Unsplash

Editorial by Jorge Aguero

Read in Spanish

The title of this editorial—a combination of God’s call to the prophet Isaiah and the Great Commission—implies obedience, consecration, dedication, surrender, perseverance and intentionality.

Isaiah 6:8 reads, “Then I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom shall I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go?’ And I said, ‘Lord, I’ll go! Send me’” (TLB). Knowing that the “the harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few” (Luke 10:2, KJV), the Lord asks the same question in the midst of this pandemic: “Who will go?”

The Lord’s soon return is evidenced by unprecedented natural disasters, social chaos, fear and anguish. Jesus says, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28, KJV). But for the Lord to come, the preaching of the gospel to every nation, tribe and language must be fulfilled (Matthew 24:14; Revelation 14:6).