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.

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God is Moving Across Pennsylvania

Image by Michael Adams from Pixabay

Editorial by Gary Gibbs

The Pennsylvania Conference recently witnessed God move among His people in remarkable ways. In September, churches across Pennsylvania opened their doors for our grand reunions, welcoming back former members, friends, and neighbors.

To support this outreach, we launched a statewide media campaign in late September—reaching across social media, billboards, radio and television. At the same time, over one million handbills were delivered to homes throughout Pennsylvania—we truly are committed to reaching everyone, everywhere!

Marilyn Scott Elected as Chesapeake Conference Executive Secretary

The Chesapeake Conference Executive Committee elected Marilyn Scott as executive secretary of the Chesapeake Conference on Jan. 20. Scott fills the vacancy created when Andre Hastick became president on Jan. 1, following Jerry Lutz’s retirement.

Scott has served since 2024 as associate pastor for Children’s and Family Ministries at Bell Branch Church in Gambrills, Md., and as a Children’s Ministries specialist for Chesapeake Conference, providing training and resources for children’s ministries around the conference. Scott has pastored in the Chesapeake Conference for 16 years, serving previously as the Children’s Ministries associate pastor at Spencerville Church (2010–2016) and New Hope Church (2016–2024).