Who We Are, How We Serve

The Columbia Union Conference, established in 1907 to coordinate the Seventh-day Adventist Church's work in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, is part of the worldwide Protestant denomination of 23 million members in more than 212 countries. At the union level, we connect and provide administrative leadership, governance and support services to our conferences, schools, health care networks and ministries. Each year, our organizations sponsor programs and projects that address human needs, improve quality of life and introduce people to Jesus. Read our Mission, Values and 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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Wonders of His Love

from Getty Images

If Christians believe in the miracle of God’s Son—who came to earth in human form—why is it hard to believe that miraculous stories can still happen in our everyday lives?

Story by Tompaul Wheeler

Tim Bailey stood under an muddy river, feeling every bit of the sunny day’s nearly 100-degree heat. It had been a long, intense evangelistic series in India and, as Bailey led out in baptisms, he was exhausted. With nearly 1,500 names to read, 1,500 Bibles to gift and 1,500 certificates to sign, it was easy to neglect the animated woman who was tapping on his arm.

God Makes a Way

Image by Stefan Schweihofer from Pixabay

Story by Tompaul Wheeler

Dana Audain, a member of the Sligo church, found God moving through people at a moment of crisis. 

About to graduate with a degree in elementary education, Audain had a teaching job lined up. Then one day, on a break while subbing at another school, she called for employment confirmation for an apartment rental. She learned the school that had hired her was suddenly closing. 

“I totally freaked out,” Audain says. When the principal of the school she was at that day saw her, she asked, “Are you okay?” 

A Place For Kids to Belong

Image by Hermann from Pixabay

Patrice Jenkins, a member of the Bethuel church in Dover, Del., who taught for more than 20 years in Seventh-day Adventist schools and is now a curriculum specialist, has released, A Place for Me: An Adventures of Miss Reese Story.

The book tells the story of Jordan, a child navigating a hard first day at a new school.

Christmas is Coming

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

Christmas offers one of the easiest times of the year to connect with our community, as people are more open to attendng church and events.

Tamyra Horst, Women’s Ministries director of the Pennsylvania Conference, encourages you to host fun, easy events at your church or home—events that offer friendship and connection, instead of a “program.

Whether it be a craft night, a Christmas tea party, a DIY gift night, a Christmas wrapping party, or a recipe swap and tasting, she encourages the hosts to combine a fun activity with a service project that gives back to those in need.

She advises asking these five questions before planning an event:

Boulevard Church Hosts Community Events

Story by Liz Bailey

Recently, the Boulevard church in Charleston, W.Va., held two events. The first event was a two-day health series called, “Awaken and Thrive.”  Jeremy Garlock, pastor of Boulevard, was the emcee for the event, while local members presented topics on health in a gospel-centric manner.

On the first night, participants learned how to create a healthful, great-tasting breakfast. On the second night, attendees learned how to use natural remedies for common ailments. At the end of the health series, Garlock invited all participants, including the 15 nonmener visitors, to attend the second event, an evangelistic series titled, "Becoming the Best You."