A house RESOLUTION

 

TO honor PROVIDENCE HOME OF COLUMBIA AT THE CELEBRATION OF ITS SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF life-changing MINISTRY TO MEN CHALLENGED BY HOMELESSNESS, ADDICTION, AND INCARCERATION AND TO EXTEND the sincere best wiSHES of the house of Representatives FOR MUCH CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE YEARS TO COME.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that Providence Home of Columbia is celebrating sixty years of ministry in 2023; and

 

Whereas, a transitional ministry for men seeking hope and stability, Providence Home was founded by Johnny Zenoni, who spent decades battling addiction and then in 1963 encountered Jesus Christ in a City of Columbia jail cell; and

 

Whereas, Johnny Zenoni surrendered to Christ at that time; permanently overcame addiction; and dedicated his life to serving homeless, addicted, incarcerated, and otherwise vulnerable men; and

 

Whereas, he started Providence Home with eight men at a Lexington County farm. Over the past six decades since the ministry's founding, God has blessed and expanded its reach; and

 

Whereas, in the Lord's good time, Providence Home found a permanent place to plant and grow on Columbia's North Main Street, and the ministry enlarged to provide transitional housing for sixty men; and

 

Whereas, in addition, Johnny Zenoni's dream was to build a permanent chapel where "his men" could worship and praise the Lord. His dream became a reality in April 2023 when the William "Bill" Cogdill Memorial Chapel officially was opened and dedicated to the Lord. The new chapel and accompanying gazebo offer a respite for men and their families in recovery; and

 

Whereas, six decades of men and their families have been restored and renewed through embracing the life-saving grace of Jesus Christ encountered at Providence Home, and its staff and supporters remain committed to Zenoni's mission long after his passing; and

 

Whereas, Providence Home receives no state or federal funding but relies on the goodness of the community to thrive; and

 

Whereas, the House takes great pleasure in recognizing the faithful service of such an outstanding ministry as Providence Home, and the members pray God's richest blessing on the Providence Home Board of Directors and staff as they continue to serve the Lord. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor Providence Home of Columbia at the celebration of its sixtieth anniversary of life-changing ministry to men challenged by homelessness, addiction, and incarceration and extend the sincere best wishes of the House of Representatives for much continued success in the years to come.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Rob Settle, executive director of Providence Home, for the ministry.

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