For 62 years, Kenneth Henson led churches from the pulpit. And Dec. 25, Henson retired from Springhill Baptist Church, Millry, where he served for the past 12 years.
After working in the logging business for three years, 21-year-old Henson and his wife, Loriene, “sensed the call into something in ministry” but were not sure what.
Members of Wagarville Baptist Church, the Hensons surrendered their lives to whatever the Lord had for them, and soon after that, Kenneth Henson felt called to be a pastor.
He graduated from Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. While in seminary, he served as pastor of a small Mississippi church.
He also served as pastor of several Alabama churches, including First Baptist Church, Ashland; Grove Hill Baptist Church; Westview Baptist Church, Enterprise; Westview Baptist Church, Sylacauga; and Marble City Baptist Church, Sylacauga.
And through the years, he felt his role was to “bring churches together.”
“God just blessed [Loriene and me] in that particular way,” he said.
Michael Olewski, Washington Baptist Association director of missions, said Kenneth Henson will be missed.
“[Kenneth] has had involvement off and on in [Washington] Association for years,” Olewski said. “He’s served very well and leaves a strong legacy.”
In retirement, Kenneth Henson plans to spend time in his garden, turkey hunt and fish, all things he really enjoys doing, he said. But he also said he enjoyed the work he dedicated his life to in Alabama Baptist churches.
“[Loriene and I] served some fine churches and wonderful people,” he said. “It’s been a real blessing.”
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