South Carolina S 295: Financial gain from office; prohibition

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 295 Text of Previous Version (Jan. 30, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 295

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

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.

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This web page was last updated on January 30, 2025 at 11:24 AM