The Columbia Union Conference coordinates the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s work in the Mid-Atlantic United States, where 145,000 members worship in 863 congregations. We provide administrative support to eight conferences; two healthcare networks; 101 early childhood, elementary and secondary schools; a liberal arts university; a health sciences college; a dozen 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.
As we transition from 2022 to 2023, what will be our support as we go into the future?
All of us have areas in life we would like to improve, and as we reflect on 2022, maybe we have some regrets, in a relationship with God, or with others, or maybe there’s something else in your life you want to address.
Why not think of the Bible as a bridge to transition from the past to the new--from what was to what could be?
Story by Tamyra Horst
João Gabriel Ramos Marques’ mother prayed for her son. She knew his friends were a bad influence on him and saw the poor choices he was making. She believed that God would change her son and the direction of his life.
“My mother never gave up on me, despite my rebellious actions,” shares Marques. “She sent me to Faculdade Adventista da Amazonia, an Adventist school in Brazil, in hopes that I could find truth and Jesus.”
Story by Stephen Lee
Sixty Children’s Ministries local church directors and staff from 22 churches attended the Children’s Ministries Convention earlier this year. Pamela Daly and Ana Maria Benzaquen from the North American Division Children’s Ministries Department presented the Ministering to Families track in English and Spanish.
The certification track ended on Saturday night with a graduation where many received a certificate and pin. On Sunday, the attendees participated in the Vacation Bible eXperience (VBX) live expo where they were equipped to conduct a week of VBX at their local churches.
Just before the NAD Educators Convention in Phoenix, over 40 passionate North American Division science teachers embarked on a journey with Geoscience Research Institute (GRI) scientists to explore the magnificent landscapes of the Petrified Forest National Park, the Grand Canyon, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, and more.
As I read Jesus’ words in John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled”(NKJV), I cannot stop thinking about my 2-year-old granddaughter, Catalina, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. How can I accept Jesus’ words when we—humankind—become so overwhelmed by problems that are many times beyond our control?
Story by LaTasha Hewitt
Allegheny East Conference's Capitol Hill church in Washington, D.C., holds various “Acts of Kindness” days throughout the year where they minister to the Washington, D.C., community in various ways. Recently, volunteers delivered food and beverages to those experiencing homelessness, while other volunteers delivered a hot breakfast to D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department. They also distributed cards and prayed over the officers.