Become ALL IN with

Columbia

Be all in by becoming a member or getting baptized at Columbia.

Columbia

How do you become ALL IN?

One of the primary ways you can be ALL IN at Columbia is to make Columbia your church home.

Becoming a member of Columbia demonstrates a commitment to Jesus Christ and His church. If Columbia has become your church home and you seek to impact His kingdom here, we invite you to become a member of our fellowship. Our community is dedicated to walking along side you on your spiritual journey and to help you become a whole-life disciple.

Learn more about Columbia through the Columbia Way Podcast – our membership course.

Podcast available end of summer 2026

Why Become a Member

Columbia’s church’s members are its true stewards. We discern together how God is leading us in all matters, including our pastors, leadership, ministry plan and budget. God’s Word explains in Ephesians 2 that God’s people “are members of God’s own household,” so each of Jesus’ followers should belong to a local church. Each member of Columbia has a voice and a vote, and membership is required for many leadership and teaching positions in our church. Most of all, committing to membership means saying that you are all in for what God is doing in and through your church home, Columbia.

Be All In

How to Become a Member

The first step towards membership is to take the Columbia Way course, which covers all aspects of Columbia. Then, there are three ways in which you can join our fellowship:

  • Baptism by Immersion (“Water Baptism”)
  • Statement (Having previously been baptized by immersion in another church)
  • Transfer of Letter (Transferring your membership from a sister church)

Want to get started right away?

Please contact Rev. Bronwyn Spaeth, Associate Pastor for Discipleship, Adults.

Columbia Way

The Columbia Way Podcast is our on-demand video podcast designed to help you discover who we are as a church and how you can join us! Through engaging conversations, you’ll learn about Columbia’s DNA – our beliefs, mission, values, whole life discipleship model, and how we seek to follow Jesus together.

The podcast is paired with The Columbia Table, a casual meal with Dr. Baucom, Dr. Kris, and other pastoral staff where you can get to know one another, ask questions, and learn more about membership and life at Columbia. The Columbia Table is typically offered on a Sunday, once each quarter at 12:30 p.m.

Whether you’re new to Columbia or considering making this your church home, The Columbia Table and The Columbia Way Podcast will help you take your next steps with confidence. Together, they’re an important part of The Columbia Way: The Route to Becoming ALL IN.

Do you have questions about Columbia Way? Please contact our Associate Pastor for Discipleship, Bronwyn Spaeth, at 703-534-5740, ext 255.

Baptism

Baptism is the most powerful symbol of re-creation in Christ that exists in the church, so it is no wonder that new believers have come into the fellowship of the church this way throughout the entire history of the church. Hear from Dr. Kris about why baptism by immersion is so important.

In fact, Jesus himself instituted the practice by choosing to be baptized by John the Baptist at the initiation of his earthly ministry.

“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son whom I love; with you I am well pleased’.” Mark 1:9-11 NIV

Jesus did not need to be baptized, but he wanted to exhibit his obedience to his Heavenly Father from the very beginning of his ministry. Baptism is one of the first acts of obedience that demonstrates a desire to become like Jesus.

At Columbia, we baptize by immersion those who willingly commit their lives to Jesus. Modeling Jesus’ example, every person in the Early Church who committed their lives to him was baptized by immersion.

I’m Ready to be Baptized

Have you made the decision to trust Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and are ready to be baptized? Baptism gatherings are a special time to celebrate new life in Christ. We are holding our next Celebration of Baptism on Sunday, Nov 1, 2026. If Baptism is the next step in your spiritual journey and you would like to sign up, simply fill out our Baptism form and one of our Pastors will be in touch with you right away!

Got questions about baptism? Contact a pastor.