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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Story by WAU Staff

Washington Adventist University (WAU) has entered into a partnership agreement with Radians College that will help qualified graduates further their nursing education through an accelerated evening program offered by the WAU School of Graduate and Professional Studies.

“We are very pleased to partner with Radians College, and happy that we can provide their nursing graduates with a convenient and affordable path to a master’s degree,” says Weymouth Spence, Washington Adventist University president. “Hospital requirements are changing, and this university is in an excellent position to support those students who need to further their education in order to meet the new requirements.”

Story by Costin Jordache

More than 500 healthcare professionals and volunteers will operate a no-cost medical and dental clinic in Beckley, West Virginia on July 13-15, 2016. Approximately $3 million in free health-related services will be offered to noninsured and underinsured residents of Beckley and surrounding areas at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. The event is organized by Your Best Pathway to Health, a service of Adventist-Laymen’s Services & Industries (ASI), in partnership with the Seventh-day Adventist Church and many other entities.

Story by Heidi Shoemaker / Photos by Hollie Macomber

Walk into Shona Macomber’s classroom at Spring Valley Academy (SVA) in Kettering, Ohio,  and one is transported into an artist’s paradise: bright open space, skylights, soft music and students intently working on projects—from pastels to pottery. Inside students are overheard saying, “This is my favorite class of the week!” while others stop to admire displays outside her classroom.

 Juliana Baioni

Story by Heidi Wetmore

When Jacob Harris was 8 years old, his family moved from Liberia to Maryland so his father could serve as a Lutheran minister. Harris was bullied in school because he was not from the United States. He decided that he didn’t want to be different and started hanging out with gang members. That decision led him to an unhealthy lifestyle including drugs, fighting and crime.

Just in time for grilling season, here’s a hearty and tasty burger recipe from Clara Iuliano, a member of the Pennsylvania Conference’s Hamburg church, that packs protein and will add “meat to the bones.”

Bella Burgers

16 oz can of chickpeas

2 tbs olive oil
1 c unseasoned breadcrumbs
3⁄4-1 c water
4 tbs Bragg Liquid Aminos All Purpose Seasoning
4 minced garlic cloves
2 tbs The Vegetarian Express Saucy Ranch Seasoning (thevegetarianexpress.com)
1 c vital wheat gluten
Safflower oil for browning

1. Grind the chickpeas in a food processor until homogenous.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine the chickpeas with the olive oil, breadcrumbs, water, garlic, and Bragg and ranch seasonings.

3. When well incorporated, add the wheat gluten and mix it in thoroughly with your hands.