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 NAD Staff

On December 2, 2017, at 4 p.m. (CST) students from Oakwood University will dialogue with Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders from the North American Division (NAD) during a 120-minute livestreamed conversation. During “Is This Thing On?” Dan Jackson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America, and Alex Bryant, executive secretary, will answer questions via audience and social media during the program’s second Facebook Live event this year.

Project director Adilynn woods poses with the completed shoeboxes.

Story by New Hope church staff

On a recent Sabbath afternoon children who are members of Chesapeake Conference's New Hope church's Adventurers Club in Fulton, Md.,  packed more than 200 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. The club members formed an assembly line and packed things like notebooks, pencils, crayons, hygiene products, small toys and Bibles into the boxes. These boxes will be taken to a Samaritan’s Purse processing center near Baltimore where a workbook that presents the Gospel for children is added. Then the boxes are shipped to children in the developing world. They are an evangelism tool to over eight million children a year.

Michael Jamieson, NAD undertreasurer, prays for Emmanuel Asiedu. Photo by Ricardo Bacchus

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

During the November Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee meeting, members elected Emmanuel Asiedu as the new treasurer of the union effective January 1, 2018.

“Emmanuel is a uniquely gifted leader,” says Dave Weigley, union president. “He’s very mission focused. … I think he’ll be a real blessing to our union in many ways.”

2.	WGTS promotions director Jerry Woods escorts Sgt. 1st Class Theodore Wilson to the broadcast booth to talk to Johnny Stone and Becky Alignay.

Story by Jerry Woods

WGTS 91.9, Washington Adventist University's radio station in Takoma Park, Md.,  spent Veteran’s Day with some of America’s finest at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington D.C.  Johnny Stone and Becky Alignay did the afternoon show live from the AFRH in the “Hall of Honors.”  During the broadcast they interviewed veterans from World War II, Korea and the Vietnam War. 

Story by WAU Staff

Washington Adventist University (WAU) recently welcomed Anwar Ottley to the Music Department where he serves as adjunct professor and leads the Columbia Collegiate Choral and the Pro Musica. 

Ottley currently serves as pastor of worship at Potomac Conference's Takoma Park (Md.) church where he has served for the past nine years. He holds a Master of Music degree from Andrews University (Mich.), a Bachelors of Music degree from Columbia Union College (WAU) and He is currently completing coursework toward the Doctor of Worship Studies degree offered at Liberty University (Va.). Ottley is married to Sharlene, and together they have a newborn.