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.

Learn More

Seventh-day Adventist World Church President To Speak for Washington Adventist Alumni Weekend

Story by WAU Staff

The featured speaker for Washington Adventist University’s Alumni Weekend, April 6-9, is alumnus Ted N.C. Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church. He will be sharing his thoughts and experiences on April 8 at the 11 a.m. worship service at Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church on the school's campus in Takoma Park, Md.

Wilson graduated from Washington Adventist University (WAU) in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree double major in religion and business administration. He began his church career as a pastor in 1974 in the Greater New York Conference. He has been married to physical therapist Nancy Louise Vollmer Wilson since 1975.

Blue Mountain Academy Opens New Health Food Store

Story by Dave Morgan

When one door closes, God opens another! The Adventist Book Center, which was located on the campus of Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) in Hamburg, Pa., recently closed. Many shoppers wondered what could replace this conveniently located store, with its friendly environment and familiar, well-loved products. “It was very disappointing when we drove up Sunday and saw the sign ‘Permanently Closed,’” says customer G. Russel. “We shopped there on a regular basis, and it was one of the ways we supported the school.”

BMA leadership saw an opportunity to remedy this concern. They would open their own store and offer students the ability to gain business experience as part of their vocational education program, while generating revenue for the academy.

Washington Adventist University Hosts Choral Festival

James Bingham directs the Columbia Union Choral Festival at Spencerville Adventist church

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

About 140 students participated in Washington Adventist University’s (WAU) Columbia Union Choral Festival last weekend.

Students from Blue Mountain Academy in Hamburg, Pa., Highland View Academy in Hagerstown, Md., Pine Forge Academy in Pine Forge, Pa., Richmond Academy in Richmond, Va., Spring Valley Academy in Dayton, Ohio, Takoma Academy in Takoma Park, Md., and WAU participated in the event.

WAU Mourns the Passing of Former President And Alumnus George Hillry Akers

Story by Washington Adventist University Staff

Washington Adventist University (WAU) is mourning the recent passing of a former president and alumnus, George Hillry Akers, Ph.D. Akers was president of his class when he graduated from the university in Takoma Park, Md., (then known as Columbia Union College) in 1947. He later returned to serve as president of his alma mater from 1970-1974, a school he credited for being instrumental in his Christian development, and for greatly molding his life.