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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Historia de Celeste Ryan Blyden

En su reunión de marzo, el Comité Ejecutivo de la Unión de Columbia votó mover la Escuela de Evangelismo de la Unión REACH-actualmente en Filadelfia- a la Universidad Adventista de Washington en Takoma Park, Md.

Los miembros del comité dijeron que creen que el traslado a un ambiente académico es un ajuste que proporcionará acceso a la infraestructura de la universidad y la hará más rentable.

“El programa REACH aborda todas nuestras prioridades, ya que involucra a jóvenes adultos en liderazgo, desarrollo espiritual, evangelismo y la misión de la iglesia”, dice Dave Weigley, presidente de la Unión de Columbia.—

 

Editorial by Timothy Ko

Being a father to two girls is rewarding and challenging. There have been many conversations with my five-year-old (pictured) in which she would answer my questions with quick, short replies versus engaging in conversation. I would ask how her day went, about Spanish or soccer class, and the response would always be similar. At one point, I wondered if our conversations would always be as short as “No,” “Fine” and “Uh-huh.”

I tried negotiating with desserts or toys, but nothing worked. I soon became frustrated that I could not bridge the communication gap with her and feared that we might never enjoy meaningful conversations.

Pastor Marquis Johns presents at the Columbia Union Young Adult Summit. | Photo by Brian Tagalog

5 Steps for Bridging Generational Gaps

Marquis Johns, senior pastor of Allegheny East Conference’s North Philadelphia church, shares these steps for bridging the gaps between the various age cohorts.

Acknowledge
Talk about generational differences.

Appreciate
Focus on the “why,” not on the “what,” and the common needs.

Adjust
Agree on how to communicate different approaches.

Advantage
Maximize the strengths of each generation.