A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO CONGRATULATE THE MEETING PLACE CHURCH OF GREATER COLUMBIA ON THE OCCASION OF ITS TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND THE CHURCH FOR A QUARTER-CENTURY OF SERVICE TO GOD AND THE COMMUNITY.

 

Whereas, having been founded in 2000, The Meeting Place Church of Greater Columbia is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary in 2025. On February 6, 2000, the church opened its doors for the very first time in the back of Columbia's Spring Valley High School with nothing more than a barstool and a Bible. This humble beginning-led by Bishop Eric J. Freeman, Ph.D., along with his wife, First Lady Coleen McLennon-Freeman; their daughter, Tyné Angela, and their infant son, Jordane Ericson-laid the foundation for what would become one of the most influential and transformative congregations in the region; and

 

Whereas, under Bishop Freeman's visionary leadership, the church quickly outgrew its original meeting place. In 2003, The Meeting Place Church purchased its first property on Flora Drive, but continued growth demanded continued expansion of their campus. In 2016, the congregation acquired a spacious property at 201 Columbia Mall Boulevard, their present campus, with twenty-three acres and two hundred fifteen thousand square feet of facilities; and

 

Whereas, since moving to Columbia Mall Boulevard, The Meeting Place Church has spearheaded the utilization of tens of millions of dollars in development, transforming underutilized properties into dynamic community spaces through adaptive reuses, public-private partnerships, and far-reaching community initiatives. With Bishop Freeman's leadership-bolstered by his extensive background in workforce development and community revitalization-the congregation has grown to host one of the largest memberships in the region, impacting tens of thousands of South Carolinians annually. The Meeting Place Church stands firmly on four pillars-Prayer, the Word, Worship, and Fellowship-and holds the vision of "Taking the Balance of the Kingdom to an Unbalanced World." Its mission to transform, equip, and empower the citizens of Columbia to be a loving and productive people has never wavered; and

 

Whereas, this commitment to spiritual growth, community enrichment, and social impact has garnered The Meeting Place Church recognition from numerous media outlets, including Time Magazine, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and AP News. The congregation has welcomed a variety of local, state, and national public officials to its pulpit and campus. To further extend its reach, the church also owns Columbia's Praise WDEK 95.7 FM and 1170 AM, a 10,000-watt radio station that serves an audience of over seven hundred thousand in the Midlands; and

 

Whereas, The Meeting Place Church has been a beacon of light and a community worship center in the Greater Columbia area for a quarter-century, and, God willing, will continue its godly heritage for many more years of worship and service. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate The Meeting Place Church of Greater Columbia on the occasion of its twenty-fifth anniversary and commend the church for a quarter-century of service to God and the community.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to The Meeting Place Church of Greater Columbia.

----XX----