Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR RIVERLAND HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH, OF RICHLAND COUNTY, UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY, AND TO COMMEND THE PASTOR AND CONGREGATION FOR CONTINUED MINISTRY TO THEIR COMMUNITY.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are pleased to note the significant history of Riverland Hills Baptist Church and its contributions to the citizens of South Carolina; and
Whereas, begun as a mission church of Lexington Baptist Church in October 1964, Riverland Hills Baptist Chapel, as it was originally called, received its name from Lexington Baptist Pastor Bill Clyde, who described the area as one of rivers and hills; and
Whereas, in February 1965, over six acres of land were purchased on St. Andrews Road on which the church would stand, and on March 3, 1965, the first services were held in rented space at Irmo High School with thirty-seven worshipers present; and
Whereas, the church began ministry to the community early with a weekly kindergarten program in 1967, which has grown to include extended care for hundreds of young children from two years of age through kindergarten; and
Whereas, exactly three years after the first service, Riverland Hills Baptist Church was constituted as a church and a few months later was admitted into the Lexington Baptist Association with two hundred fifty-one charter members; and
Whereas, by 1984, the planning committee presented the congregation a building program that would seat well over one thousand people, and only nine years later the membership exceeded two thousand people; and
Whereas, the current membership is fast approaching four thousand congregants, and the physical location has grown from the original six acres to sixty; and
Whereas, in keeping with the stated purpose of Riverland Hills Baptist Church to make disciples for Christ, the church sponsors numerous missions at home with regular trips to Kentucky, North Carolina, Florida, and abroad to India, Honduras, and Romania, in order to meet physical, spiritual, and medical needs; and
Whereas, always mindful of the spiritual needs of communities around them, the church has sponsored two missions, Irmo Baptist Church and Harbison Baptist Church; and
Whereas, since Reverend Edward M. Carney began his ministry at Riverland Hills in June 1991, the church has expanded community programs to include ministry to shut-ins, nursing homes, and a weekly Bible study for one hundred thirty-five seniors; and
Whereas, the church also offers a large recreation ministry to the community including softball, golf, and youth, middle school, and adult basketball; and
Whereas, on May 4, 2008, the church will celebrate its legacy of forty years by looking to the future of a proposed education building that will house all activities for grade one through six; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly recognize the wisdom of the sweet songwriter of Israel when he said in Psalm 133:1, "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity," and they express profound appreciation to Riverland Hills Baptist Church for its ministry to the citizens of our great State. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and commend Riverland Hills Baptist Church, upon the occasion of its fortieth anniversary, and commend the pastor and congregation for continued ministry to their community.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Edward M. Carney, pastor of Riverland Hills Baptist Church.
This web page was last updated on Monday, June 22, 2009 at 3:00 P.M.