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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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.

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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.