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.
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.
Story by Tracey Jackson
On your next tour of Pennsylvania, visit sites like Hopewell Furnace, the Daniel Boone Homestead and the Pine Forge Mansion & Industrial Site. And don’t forget to visit the historic renovated North Hall, now the Pine Forge Academy (PFA) Music Conservatory, coordinated by Maranatha Volunteers International.
Story by Tamyra Horst
Pennsylvania Conference team recently said, “Goodbye” and honored pastor Lynn Gatz (pictured with his wife, Donna) and Blue Mountain Academy staff member Glenn Sutton (pictured with his wife, Kathleen) during camp meeting, as both retired and now begin new adventures.
Gatz has served in pastoral ministry for 50 years. Over the last 20 years, he pastored the Coudersport, Derrick City, Mount Jewett and Warren churches in Northern Pennsylvania. He and his wife are looking forward to time with family upon retirement—though he will continue to work as a chaplain in his community.
Story by Katie Solovey
Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center has a new leader. Dan Cochran, the hospital’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, became its president effective Aug. 19. Cochran takes over for John Sackett, who is handing off duties at the hospital to focus on his role as Chief Operating Officer of the Adventist HealthCare system.
Terry Forde, the Chief Executive Officer of Adventist HealthCare, announced the changes internally in July, praising Cochran’s talents as an executive. “Dan has managed the complexities of hospital finance and been a stalwart supporter of Shady Grove’s growth and patient experience initiatives,” Forde said.
Story by Liz Anderson
Kleyton Feitosa had always been a planner. When considering decisions for himself and his family, he would envision life seven to 10 years in advance. But for Feitosa, who pastors Chesapeake Conference’s Living Word church in Glen Burnie, Md., his years-long journey with cancer seismically shifted that perspective.
The Brazilian native’s desire for mission service was sparked in high school after reading a book about a missionary who served in Papua New Guinea. Feitosa married Delma, his high school sweetheart, and continued making plans for a career in cross-cultural ministry.
Story by Anna Bartlett
Emil Dean Peeler, senior pastor of Allegheny East Conference's Capitol Hill church (DC), recently wrote Discipleship Guide: Bible Principles for Growing Disciples. Peeler holds a doctorate in ministry, and has served in various positions of leadership in the body of Christ and broader community, most notably as pastor, conference evangelist, author, associate ministerial director, college professor, and director of Church Growth and Evangelism of Southeastern California Conference.
Peeler draws not only on his personal experience growing up Adventist and growing in discipleship with God, but also his 33 years and counting ministerial experience to write his new book.