In the past 10 years as director of missions (DOM) for Central Baptist Association, Wayne Henderson has sought to build relationships with the laypeople, ministry leaders and pastors in the churches he serves. Looking back, Henderson says he hopes he’s been able to encourage them to greater ministry service, as his time as DOM is coming to a close. He will retire Dec. 31.
But he leaves Central Association different than he found it.
“The past year and a half have been a time of transition as I have felt the Lord leading me to look honestly at the association to lead them to make the hard, but necessary, decision to move to a bivocational DOM with a part-time ministry assistant,” Henderson said. “This will free up some funds so that the association can do more ministry rather than spending the majority on personnel.”
Prior to his role as DOM, Henderson served as a pastor for nearly 29 years in the eastern part of the state, including Zion Hill Baptist Church, Daviston; Kellyton Baptist Church; Airview Baptist Church, Opelika; and Rockford Baptist Church. He also served as a member of the State Board of Missions.
With experience on both sides of the DOM-pastor relationship, Henderson has some advice for each side. For pastors, he said, “keep your relationship with the Lord fresh and love your people … (and) realize that God did not place you there to be above the people but to walk beside them.” And he urged DOMs to “be visible in the churches.”
Henderson holds a bachelor’s degree from Samford University in Birmingham and a master’s degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
“I have a deep love for the people here (in Central Association) and pray that greater days are ahead,” Henderson said.
He and his wife, Margaret, plan to retire to Alexander City and be involved in the lives of their two children and six grandchildren as much as possible. (Maggie Walsh)
Share with others: