Church Leaders Discuss Challenges and Ministry Highlights at March Executive Committee Meeting

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

In his worship thought, Pastor Scott Haakenson set the tone for the March 13 Columbia Union Conference Executive Secretary meeting, reminding members that even though they may have issues troubling them—personal finances, depression, anxiety, etc., Christians have two words found in Ephesians 2:4-5 that offer hope. “But, God… .” 

Marcellus T. Robinson, Columbia Union Conference president, echoed Haakenson, saying, “We live in turbulent times, don’t we? “But, God… .” We need to celebrate God’s goodness.” 

In his report, Robinson noted he’s been president of the union for almost a year and highlighted the many ways he’s seeing God working throughout the territory, especially in the evangelism collaboration between the Allegheny East and Chesapeake conferences. Other highlights include the union’s myriad training and informational seminars, and his work on boards across the country.  

He emphasized the importance of local churches working to build relationships with new members. He also urged local leaders to empower the youth and young adults to be able to serve and lead.  

“[The youth] are waiting to serve the Lord, if you’ll listen to them,” said Robinson. “They’re not coming to watch you work. They want to be set loose to do the Lord’s work.” 

Other Columbia Union leaders shared reports that included the following highlights: 

--Jose Esposito, assistant to the president for Evangelism, shared a video report (to be posted soon), and thanked the conference presidents for making evangelism a priority in the Columbia Union. A few of the highlights include the Pennsylvania Conference having more baptisms and professions of faith in 2024 than in any other year. He also noted a Caravana de Esperanze (Caravan of Hope) that recently visited 10 Spanish speaking churches in Potomac. 

--“Last year was an amazing year,” added Rubén Ramos, vice president for Multilingual Ministries in the Columbia Union, who works closely with Esposito. “Everything that has happened is coming from His wonderful mighty power. I give all the glory to Him.”

Ramos also noted that out of the 871 congregations in the union, 405 speak another language and 38 percent of the members are immigrants. The union recently teamed up with the Chesapeake Conference to share an information session in Spanish on practical immigration information.  

--Greg Iverson (pictured left), director of the Columbia Union’s Information Technology Services (ITS), presented at the meeting for the first time. Iverson noted that ITS supports the union staff and also provides support and services to some 170 staff in six of the union’s conferences. 

He noted that every union is working to find more IT support for its schools. “It’s something that has to be addressed before we end up with a crisis,” he added.  

Iverson also said his department is pushing for the union’s entities to adopt AI usage guidelines, as well as educating staff and the union’s entities on phishing resistant authentication to prevent malware attacks.  

--Celeste Ryan Blyden, executive secretary, shared a statistical membership report—noting that Columbia Union Conference membership is up 1.08 percent and is now at 156,889 members. She noted the union is 5.4 percent of the world membership and 12.2 percent of the North American Division membership. 

In her role as the union’s prayer coordinator, she has overseen three online prayer sessions in 2025—bringing together members from all the conferences to pray for the Pentecost 2025 evangelism efforts.  

--Emmanuel Asiedu, Columbia Union treasurer, says the union continues to be financially healthy. “It’s incumbent to make sure our resources are used efficiently and effectively,” he said, noting the union was the only union within the North American Division with a tithe gain in 2024. 

--Trevor Kinlock (pictured right), president of the Allegheny East Conference, and Jerry Lutz (pictured left), president of the Chesapeake Conference, shared how the conferences are working together in “Reach Baltimore,” an evangelistic focus on the city and its surrounding areas. Working together, and with the support of 17 church entities, the conferences are hosting rallies and training efforts leading up to a big evangelistic series in Towson this fall. 

--John Sackett, president and CEO of Adventist HealthCare, unveiled their new strategic plan, Vision 2030. 

--Mike Gentry, CEO of Kettering Health, noted that the system is evaluating and learning about the impact and complexity of the many U.S. executive orders being issued.  

--The Washington Adventist University community is excited about their upcoming Pentecost 2025 meeting on campus, scheduled for this spring, noted Cheryl Kisunzu, provost.  

--Lisa Burrow (pictured left), vice president and general counsel for the Columbia Union, says she has given some eight presentations on the recent immigration orders from the United States President (See the guidelines the North American Division released.). Burrow was a part of the team that created the document to provide practical (not political) information for churches and schools.