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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Students Share Faith on a Secular Campus

Adventist students share their faith on a secular campus

Story by Tiffany Doss

A group of college students meet twice a month at the University of Maryland (UMD) in College Park to study the Bible, share their faith and connect with Adventist students who may not have a home church. Adventist Student Fellowship (ASF) is a university- recognized Bible study group that holds a steady membership of more than 20 students. Members shine their lights on the secular campus by staying true to their convictions and sharing them with friends, classmates and professors.

Kettering College Prepares for 49th Commencement Ceremony

Story by Jessica Beans

On Saturday, April 29, Kettering College will confer degrees and certificates on 200 students at the school’s 49th annual commencement ceremonies. The event will be held at the Dayton Convention Center. Dr. Jonathan Velasco, an alum of Kettering College and surgeon at Kettering Physician Network Surgery—Dayton Surgeons, will be the keynote speaker. This year will also commemorate Kettering College’s 50th anniversary.

WAU Mourns the Death of Former Head of Physical Education Jim Burns

Story by Donna Bigler

Washington Adventist University (WAU) is mourning the death of James William Burns III, an alumnus, former coach of the gymnastics team and head of Physical Education. He passed away last week on April 19 at the age of 84, surrounded by his family. He will long be remembered for his love of life and his positive attitude, as well as his penchant for doing handstands on the roof and his passion for running.

Eight Columbia Union Pathfinder Bible Experience Teams Place First at North American Division Level

The Triadelphia Sparks PBE team places first at the North American Division event. Photo courtesy North American Division

Eight teams from the Columbia Union Conference placed first at the recent North American Division Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE) in Chicago. Six teams placed second. To achieve first place, a team must score 90 percent of the top scoring team's score. Second place teams must earn 80 percent of the top scoring team's score.

See the results below:

Allegheny East Conference

Genesis (NJ) Jaguars: Second Place
Liberty (Md.) Light Bearers Gold: First Place 

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot to Speak at 2017 Washington Adventist University Commencement April 30

Story by Donna Bigler

Maryland Comptroller and Honorary Alumnus Peter Franchot will be the commencement speaker for Washington Adventist University’s 2017 Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, April 30. Franchot is one of four state-wide elected officials in Maryland, and is the state’s 33rd comptroller, currently serving his third term in that office. Commencement will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Show Place Arena, located at 14900 Pennsylvania Avenue in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.