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.

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Story by Angèle Peterson

The Park Street church is located in Oberlin, Ohio, along with Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music. Over the years, the congregation has been blessed to have many students worship with the church. In more recent years, Elvis Francios, who during the pandemic became known as the “Singing Surgeon,” and many years ago, Calvin Taylor, a music publisher, concert performer and recording artist, both attended Park Street while they were students at Oberlin.

Image by use_at_your_ease from pixabay

Editorial by Terry Forde

“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” – Sir Isaac Newton

Have you ever seen a giant? I remember once watching a doctor who squatted down so that she could be at eye level with a young patient – there was lots of nodding and hand motions and then suddenly a jubilant fist- bump! Whatever the discussion, they now understood each other and celebrated their trust. The conversation was transformed by a provider who was giant in creating connection to find joy.

Story by Angela Peach

This school year, there is a lot happening at Spring Valley Academy (SVA). From classes during the day to an active Music Department and after-school activities such as sports and LEGO® robotics, it’s easy to stay busy as an SVA student. But the most important thing that is going on at SVA is also the heartbeat of the school: the Campus Ministries Department, led by Chaplain Joel Greve and Assistant Chaplain Nicolas Chaij.

New employees this year, both Greve and Chaij are very familiar with SVA. Greve served as an associate pastor at the Centerville church (Ohio), interfacing frequently with SVA students and ministering to their families, and Chaij is a Class of 2015 alumnus.