Who We Are, How We Serve

The Columbia Union Conference coordinates the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s work in the Mid-Atlantic United States, where 150,000 members worship in 860 congregations. We provide administrative support to eight conferences; two healthcare networks; 81 early childhood, elementary and secondary schools; a liberal arts university; a health sciences college; a 49 community services centers; 8 camps; 5 book and health food stores and a radio station.

Mission Values 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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Story by Adventist Journey Staff

Dr. Bemnet Meried is an evangelist living in Virginia. Born into a Seventh-day Adventist family in Eritrea, he always wanted to be a doctor. After the Adventist churches were closed in Eritrea during his teen years, Meried went to college and medical school. He graduated and was working when he decided he needed to escape. After months of struggles, Meried arrived in California and a heard a sermon that changed his life—and his mission.

Jose Vazquez, the pastor of the Fredericksburg (Va.) church, was recently named Potomac Conference's vice president for administration, alongside his wife, Sonia.

Story by Potomac Conference Staff

Jose Vazquez, the pastor of the Fredericksburg (Va.) church, was recently named Potomac Conference's vice president for administration. He begins his new assignment August 19.

Vazquez joined Potomac as a pastor in 2014. He previously served as a pastor in both the Central California and Indiana conferences. While in Indiana, he also served as the conference’s director for community services.

Chaplain Justin Janetzko and the praise team lead students and faculty in singing an original song Janetzko wrote to honor Stephanee Oberer and her dedication to SVA.

Story by Vicki Swetnam

Recently students and faculty from Ohio Conference's Spring Valley Academy (SVA)  gathered for a K–12 assembly to dedicate the kindergarten classroom in memory of Zelda Dunn, who taught at SVA from 1994–2011, and kindergarten aide Stephanee Oberer (affectionately known as “Mrs. O.”) Together they established the foundation of the school’s early childhood kindergarten program, in accordance with counsel from the Spirit of Prophecy.

Chaplain W. Sterling gives a prayer of dedication for the Class of 2019 during graduation.

Story by Leonora Seferlis

Two high school students from New Jersey Conference's Lake Nelson Adventist Academy were recently honored for their achievements at the 29th annual Paul Robeson Youth Achievement Awards. The Paul Robeson Institute for Ethics, Leadership and Social Justice sponsored the event. This institute, located at the Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC), was founded in 1999 to preserve Paul Robeson’s legacy as a role model for excellence. The students who received the awards attained a GPA of 3.0 or higher and excelled in four areas: Scholarship, the Arts, Community Service and Athletics.