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

WGTS listeners brought 8,100 pounds of food to the truck at four locations in the region to help provide food for families affected by the government shutdown and the decrease in food benefits.

Thanks to generous gifts from listeners who caught the vision, WGTS 91.9 has welcomed a new member to their team, a ministry box truck that will allow WGTS to reach more people with the love of Jesus.

Starting in the last quarter of 2025, WGTS staff used this vehicle to bring hope to the region through Hands and Heart projects and Sticker Stops, Christian concerts, along with special events at schools and churches.

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

Editorial by Charles A. Tapp

Many years ago, while a college student, a good friend gave me a book that would change my life forever. The book is titled “Living God’s Love” by the author Douglas Cooper. For me, the most profound aspect of this book was Cooper's definition of love.

His definition resonated with me so strongly that I memorized it and have used it countless times since. On page 126, here’s how Douglas Cooper defines love. He says, “Loving is using one’s God-given power of choice, to do or say, that which is in the best good or interest of another, regardless of feelings.” 

BMA Boys’ Dean Scott Haakenson (left) enjoys spending time with dorm residents like Marcello Leal.

Think of one of your most favorite places in the world. A place where God’s purpose for your life merges with a sense of belonging and enjoyment. A place that just feels like home. For Scott Haakenson, Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) is that special place. As the new boys’ dean, this marks his fourth time living or serving on the campus in Hamburg, Pa.

Alex Shute/Unsplash

Editorial by Charles A. Tapp

As the Potomac Conference begins its new quinquennium, there is much for which we must be grateful. And as you can imagine, there are far too many blessings to list. But there is one thing we, as a conference, are thankful for and would be remiss not to mention—over the past five years, God has been incredibly faithful to His people. And His faithfulness has little to do with our faithfulness to Him. Rather, God’s faithfulness in the lives of His people has more to do with His goodness than it does with anything else.