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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The sun rises over the Washington Monument.

Story by Jerry Woods

Thousands of people from Washington, D.C., to countries around the world came together to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at the 46th annual Easter Sunrise Service at the Lincoln Memorial with National Community Church. From 1979, when 127 people gathered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with Capital Church, to today, when thousands gathered for this service, it has become one of D.C.’s foremost traditions.  Several years ago, National Community Church took up the mantle of running the service.

Story by Kettering College Staff

Kettering College is pleased to announce the appointment of Beth Schultz, PhD, DNP, RN, as its next Dean of Nursing & Academic Excellence. Dr. Schultz will officially begin her role on July 6, 2026.

Schultz was selected following a comprehensive national search that included input from faculty, staff, healthcare partners, and community members. She emerged as the top candidate due to her clear communication, collaborative leadership style, and strong alignment with the mission and values of Kettering College.
 

Hearing the Call, Answering the Call, Spring Valley Academy, CPE Training, Clinical Pastor Education,

Story by Angela Peach

When Nico Chaij (’15) was a high school student at Spring Valley Academy, he was drawn to God, but not necessarily to ministry. To him, ministry was something only truly holy people could do. And yet, his love of learning led him to study the Bible deeply. He also found joy in his roles as junior class pastor and, later, Student Council’s religious vice president (student chaplain). He helped lead a Bible study on the book of Ruth and enjoyed the thrill of helping people find deeper meaning in familiar stories. But a career in ministry? Surely not.