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.
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.
If there is one thing we’ve needed more than ever this year it is hope. Every year WGTS 91.9 presents the “Night of Hope” event targeted at people who are curious to learn more about Jesus. This year’s event was moved online because of coronavirus restrictions. Casting Crowns set the move for the evening with their performance. Then, Darren Mulligan of the band We Are Messengers shared his story about how Jesus pulled him out of a life of sin and destruction. At the end of his message, Darren asked listeners who wanted to receive Jesus to pray with him. Finally, Pastor Mike Speegle invited them to text “Jesus” to 800-700-1094 to get the WGTS Bible study called “Getting to Know Jesus.”
Story by LaTasha Hewitt
Recently, the Emmanuel Worship Center in Alexandria, Va., hosted a drive-in baptism and communion service. Pastor Robert Kennedy baptized three people in a temporarily installed baptistry in a garage on the property the church is renting.
Prior to their baptism, Kennedy studied with the baptismal candidates by Zoom and FaceTime. Once they expressed their desire to be baptized, Kennedy went to work to make this possible and to ensure safety protocols were in place and were conference-approved.
On the Sabbath of the baptism, the church held Sabbath School together virtually. At the end of the lesson study, Kennedy interviewed the candidates and called for their vote into membership.
Story by Valerie Morikone
Ginelle Edmondson recently became the new Health Ministries director of the Mountain View Conference.
Born in Guyana, South America, and raised in Queens, N.Y., she always expressed an interest in health. Feeling led to study nursing for her undergraduate career, Edmondson was drawn to public health and mission work. She graduated with a Master in Public Health from New York University (NYU), then traveled to study abroad in Cape Town, South Africa.
Rising coronavirus infection rates are causing many families and churches to reexamine their holiday plans. However, the socially distanced show must go on and many Adventist schools and churches are already preparing their virtual holiday programs.
Let us know about your church or school’s virtual program so all Columbia Union Conference members will have the chance to enjoy the holiday cheer.
Email the program title, time, date and link to vmbernard@columbiaunion.net, and we’ll share on our social media accounts and website.