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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Being Intentional

Prayer photo by Loren Kerns via Flickr

Editorial by Eli Rojas

The word intentional means that an action is taken on purpose. Interestingly, when it comes to the most important things in life, it often seems that few people treat them with an intentional mindset.

Maintaining a marriage, family life, career and even our spiritual walk with God is often driven by happenstance. Ellen White speaks on the benefits of living purposefully: “The soul that is indolent falls an easy prey to temptation; but in the life that has a noble aim, an absorbing purpose, evil finds little foothold” (Prophets and Kings, p. 660).

Pine Forge Academy Continues to Become STEM-Minded

Pine Forge Academy STEM

Story by Tracey Jackson

“Forging to the Future,” the theme of the 2019 National Pine Forge Academy’s (PFA) Alumni Weekend, welcomed past students to the campus. Class of 1983 alumnus Lafayette Trawick (pictured, below) issued a challenge to “Move that Needle,” in hopes of inspiring others to give back to their alma mater.

At the Alumni Awards ceremony, the Class of 1983 gifted the PFA Science Department with a $5,000 donation. As a result, the Science Department was able to purchase needed lab supplies for students, as well as the financial support to attend the annual SciFest at Andrews University (AU) in Berrien Springs, Mich.

Therezinha Barbalho—Attorney, Pastor or Both?

Feature by Edwin Manuel Garcia

Therezinha Barbalho grew up in Brazil and wanted to be a pastor more than anything. But after graduating from the Adventist seminary, she faced difficulty finding pastoral employment beyond being a Bible worker, due to the region’s attitudes toward women in ministry.

She realized her dream career wasn’t going to happen, so she went back to school and became a lawyer.

Years later when Barbalho and her husband sought better medical care than Brazil could offer for their daughter who has autism, she sent her pastoral résumé to conferences in the United States. She was offered a job as a Bible worker at New Jersey Conference’s Luso-Brazilian church in Newark in 2004, then promptly became the associate pastor.

A ‘New’ Old Church Changes Focus

Story by Tamyra Horst

“What’s the difference between the old church and the new church?” a member who hadn’t attended the Pottsville church for 15 years asked Pastor Alex DuBee while visiting during an evangelistic meeting.

“We are now doing the mission of God,” DuBee replied.

“I’ll never leave the church again,” she responded.

The Pottsville church now not only has a newly built facility, but a new focus. Members voted to be a part of the Faith for Family (F4F) initiative in 2018. Lisa Arosarena was assigned as their Bible instructor, fol- lowing up interests generated by a mailing the church sent to the community, while also building relationships within the community and with members who were no longer attending services.

Alumni-Parent Role Models Inspire at Career Day

Alumnus Duane White (’86), now a physician, presents at Career Day.

Story by Janel Ware

The Shenandoah Valley Academy (SVA) Alumni Association Board is developing a database of alumni and parent professionals interested in sharing their education and career journeys with students: “It’s wonderful that many alumni specially desire to inform, inspire and encourage today’s students by returning to share their career experiences. We’ve been thrilled with the response and hope for more!” says Kelli (Fluharty) Hanon (’88), alumni president.