TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE PASTOR SAM GOODWIN UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS SELECTION AS A 2016 LITTLE BLACK DRESS LUNCHEON HONOREE AND TO HONOR HIM FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY, THE YOUTH, THE STEDFAST CHRISTIAN CENTER, AND THE GREATER COLUMBIA S.C. STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.

Whereas, Pastor Sam Goodwin is a native of Columbia, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School and attended South Carolina State College on a football scholarship; and

Whereas, he married his high school sweetheart, Fannie Bland, after two years at SC State. Pastor Goodwin's career led him into teaching and coaching high school and college for twelve years each; and

Whereas, Pastor Goodwin accepted Jesus as his Savior in 1975 and he received his call into the ministry in 1982. On October 2, 1983, Pastor Goodwin preached his first sermon at Gilbert Memorial Baptist Church in Columbia; and

Whereas, on September 20, 1983, Pastor Goodwin started Stedfast and Unmoveable Ministries, Inc. from his home in Northeast Columbia. Stedfast Christian Center is a church that is building people who are laborers and who are on a mission to bring people to the saving knowledge of Jesus and empower them to be steadfast in the Word of God as they fulfill their God-given purpose and become resourceful laborers who represent Jesus Christ throughout the earth. Since moving to its current location in 1987, the church continues to give to the community, by giving out school supplies, clean clothing, free lunches, and turkeys for Thanksgiving; and

Whereas, Pastor Goodwin attended the Gulf Coast Seminary, and was first ordained by the Mt. Hebron Progressive Association in 1983. He was also ordained by Dr. Frederick K.C. Price of the Fellowship of Inner-City Word of Faith Ministries in 1999. Pastor Goodwin is a certified teacher and trainer of Evangelism Explosion III International Equipping Ministry; and

Whereas, in 2011, Pastor Goodwin was elected chaplain of the SC State University National Alumni Association and served in that position for four years. He also was elected president of the Greater Columbia SC State Alumni Association from 2013-2015. He continues to mentor football players at Eau Claire High School and has helped many students get into college; and

Whereas, Pastor Goodwin and his wife, Fannie, are the proud parents of five children and four grandchildren; and

Whereas, the members of the Senate are grateful for the many people that Pastor Sam Goodwin has touched throughout his ministry and wish him much success and happiness as he continues to serve those around him. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, recognize and congratulate Pastor Sam Goodwin upon the occasion of his selection as a 2016 Little Black Dress Luncheon honoree and honor him for his years of service to his community, the youth, the Stedfast Christian Center, and the Greater Columbia S.C. State University Alumni Association.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Pastor Sam Goodwin.