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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Called to Something More

Editorial by Mark Brown

After 37 years of service in the federal government, conventional wisdom said to remain for three more years to maximize my retirement income. But there was a call, a yearning for something more. To what, I was not sure, but the desire to answer was greater than my desire for greater retirement security.

So I retired, made myself available to God, and my life has not been the same since. While my response to Him has not been perfect—sometimes halting and even resistant—God took what I brought to Him, and, over the last five years, has given me incredible experiences.

Columbia Union Members Named Fulbright Scholars

Joy Leilani Garbutt

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Two Columbia Union Conference members recently participated as Fulbright Scholars.

Kofi Adu (pictured left), associate professor of physics at Penn State University in Altoona, Pa., and a member of Pennsylvania Conference’s State College church in Furnace, is studying at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana for nine months, returning at the end of August. Adu is working with the university’s Department of Physics to develop and teach a new degree program in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

July/August 2019 Feature: From Stroke to Keystroke

Jared Wickerham/AP Images photographed Quincy and Jessica Sims for the Visitor Magazine

For many people, the internet and social media are platforms to show an idealized version of themselves and rack up likes, hearts and emojis. But when Jessica Sims and other members bravely shared their struggles with the realities of life, they found meaningful connections, heartfelt prayers, much-needed support and opportunities to witness.

Story by Tompaul Wheeler

Quincy's Quest