A house RESOLUTION

 

TO CONGRATULATE FIRST NORTHEAST BAPTIST CHURCH OF COLUMBIA ON THE OCCASION OF ITS THIRTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND THE CHURCH FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

 

Whereas, founded on March 11, 1989, First Northeast Baptist Church of Columbia is celebrating its thirty-fifth anniversary of gospel ministry in 2024. The church has sought to carry out the Great Commission with faithfulness and dedication, beginning with the guidance and determination of a contingent of Christian warriors; and

 

Whereas, First Northeast Baptist Church held its first Sunday worship service on March 26, 1989, at Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary School, while its first baptismal service was held at Ridgewood Baptist Church on August 27, 1989. The new church published its first newsletter, The Proclamation, on April 30, 1989; and

 

Whereas, many ministers provided spiritual food to the fledgling congregation. The Reverend Bobby Rice was the church's first interim pastor, serving from April 1989 to July 1990. Other ministers followed during the period 1990 to 1994; and

 

Whereas, on October 8, 1994, Stephen S. Masolwa was appointed to serve as interim pastor. Under the leadership of Pastor Masolwa, the First Northeast Baptist Church Nurturing Committee was established to address the growth of the congregation, and children's church and the tape ministry were reorganized; and

 

Whereas, the mortgage on the church property having been paid in full on June 28, 1996, and the building plans for the new church having been approved, a groundbreaking service was held on July 13, 1997. Moreover, in April 1998, the First Northeast Baptist Church Missions Program was established; and

 

Whereas, in God's good time, First Northeast Baptist joyfully held its first worship service in the new church building, located at 311 Sparkleberry Lane in Columbia; and

 

Whereas, in 2015, having eight trustees installed and twelve deacons ordained, the church enjoyed dedication and ribbon-cutting services for its new sanctuary; and

 

Whereas, Pastor Masolwa, after faithfully serving his flock for twenty-five years, retired in July 2020, and on July 24, 2021, Stephen Splawn was installed as the congregation's new senior pastor; and

 

Whereas, First Northeast Baptist Church holds as its vision "One family of Jesus followers who bear spiritual fruit so that all people will come to know Christ." Its mission is "Everyone is making disciples"; and

 

Whereas, serving today under the leadership of Senior Pastor Splawn and standing on the faith and strength of its early pastors and members, First Northeast Baptist's present congregation "press[es] toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14, KJV) and continues to preach and teach the Word of God; and

 

Whereas, First Northeast Baptist Church has been a beacon of light and a community worship center in the Columbia area for thirty-five years, and, God willing, will continue its godly heritage for many more years of worship and service. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate First Northeast Baptist Church of Columbia on the occasion of its thirty-fifth anniversary and commend the church for more than three decades of service to the community.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to First Northeast Baptist Church.

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