Story by V. Michelle Bernard
This coming weekend, delegates from across the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio will gather for the 29th Columbia Union Conference Constituency Meeting at Potomac Conference’s Southern Asian church in Silver Spring, Md.
The constituency meeting, held every five years, brings together a diverse group of delegates representing Columbia Union’s eight conferences and entities to elect leaders and review the ministries and business of the union.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
The Columbia Union Conference Office of Education honors four educators with the 2025–26 Outstanding Educator Awards.
“Our Columbia Union educators are living out a sacred calling as, day after day, their dedication prevails in the quiet, unseen moments when extra time is given, care for each student is shown and the love of Jesus is expressed,” says Ruth Nino, associate director at Columbia Union’s Office of Education. “They go beyond a career by investing their hearts and creating spaces where students feel seen, valued and empowered.”
Washington Adventist University incoming freshman Franklin Diaz and Jennifer Perez (’29) have been selected to receive this year’s Next Generation Hispanic Pastor scholarships, provided by the Columbia Union and North American Division.
“There is a lack of pastors,” said Rubén A. Ramos, who recently retired as union vice president for Multilingual Ministries. “We need to encourage our young people who are considering ministry.”
Photos by Melvin Donadelle/Chesapeake Conference and Nicol Belvedere/North American Division
Forty-six Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE) teams participated in the 2026 North American Division level event last weekend at Camp Hawthorne in Florida.
Here are the placements:
First Place
Allegheny East Conference
Community SDAC of Englewood Falcons Thrivin 5
Filipino-American Oxon Hill Oxen Warriors
Genesis Jaguars
Miracle City Knights 1
Muungano Shining Lions Zion Redeemed
Events like the Pathfinder Bible Experience prepare young Seventh-Day Adventist members for being leaders not only in the church, but in their communities and in the world. Read more about the 2026 Columbia Union Conference Pathfinder Bible Experience here. | Video by Jorge Pillco, New Jersey Conference