Who We Are, How We Serve

The Columbia Union Conference, established in 1907 to coordinate the Seventh-day Adventist Church's work in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, is part of the worldwide Protestant denomination of 23 million members in more than 212 countries. At the union level, we connect and provide administrative leadership, governance and support services to our conferences, schools, health care networks and ministries. Each year, our organizations sponsor programs and projects that address human needs, improve quality of life and introduce people to Jesus. Read our Mission, Values and 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.

Learn More

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 

The sun rises over the Washington Monument.

Story by Jerry Woods

Thousands of people from Washington, D.C., to countries around the world came together to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at the 46th annual Easter Sunrise Service at the Lincoln Memorial with National Community Church. From 1979, when 127 people gathered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with Capital Church, to today, when thousands gathered for this service, it has become one of D.C.’s foremost traditions.  Several years ago, National Community Church took up the mantle of running the service.

Story by Kettering College Staff

Kettering College is pleased to announce the appointment of Beth Schultz, PhD, DNP, RN, as its next Dean of Nursing & Academic Excellence. Dr. Schultz will officially begin her role on July 6, 2026.

Schultz was selected following a comprehensive national search that included input from faculty, staff, healthcare partners, and community members. She emerged as the top candidate due to her clear communication, collaborative leadership style, and strong alignment with the mission and values of Kettering College.
 

Living Word Opens Food Cupboard, Priority Partners Cupboard Project, Johns Hopkins, Mike Rogers, Mark Chang, Maryland General Assembly, Jeff Lerfield, Derrick Lea, Jeff Kern

Story by Evan Knott

The Living Word church in Glen Burnie, Md., in partnership with Priority Partners—a Johns Hopkins-affiliated organization that works to provide accessible health care in Maryland—recently held an inauguration ceremony for a new community food cupboard (pictured). Living Word is the 10th pantry location as part of the Priority Partners Cupboard Project.

Advancing the Mission Through Statewide Evangelism, Ohio Conference, Ignite Ohio, Pentecost 2025, Columbia Union Conference, 28-Day Acts Challenge

Story by Francis Tuffour

During a recent Ohio Conference Workers’ Meeting, the administrative team officially launched Ignite Ohio—a bold, statewide initiative designed to inspire revival, foster reformation and mobilize churches for frontline mission in 2026. Spanning the entire year, the movement will culminate in a coordinated evangelistic effort, with more than 20 churches across Ohio conducting simultaneous proclamation series from September 19–26.