Columbia Union News

Story by Evan Knott

The “Revelation Today: Hope for Humanity” evangelistic series concluded on Nov. 1 at Goucher College in Baltimore with a special evening baptism service celebrating 14 new members joining the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The baptisms are part of the year-long Reach Baltimore 2025 evangelistic initiative, with additional baptisms taking place in local churches and more scheduled before year’s end.

After a short concert and homily, attendees made their way to the Goucher College pool, where 14 people were baptized by Chesapeake and Allegheny East conference pastors. The pool area was crowded with church members from the Baltimore area who sang as candidates made their way to the pool.

In a world that can often feel lonely or uncertain, many long for the assurance that we are never alone. Here, we share stories of those who found a welcoming spiritual home.

Story by Amanda Blake

Romita Mandal had known Mr. Matthie for more than a decade. He’d been her elementary and middle school strings director, and, when she reached high school, her private violin instructor.

“Sometimes, we wouldn’t unpack the violin,” she shares. “Sometimes, I would just have a breakdown on the couch, and he would help me and be a mentor.”

Columbia Union Conference’s Office of Multilingual Ministries recently helped facilitate the distribution of 152,849 books to conferences in the Columbia Union.

The 15,520 small Bibles, 86,400 Steps to Christ in Spanish, 50,600 Steps to Christ in English and 329 family Bibles books were distributed to pastors, who then shared them with church and community members.

Story by Shannon Kelly 

After nearly two decades of service to the Columbia Union Conference as vice president for Ministries Development, and 43 years of full-time ministry, Frank Bondurant retired in November. 

Bondurant, a leader, pastor and mentor, was introduced to Adventism and God by his grandmother.