 In the recent months I have had the opportunity to talk to Doc and
to appreciate his dedication to God, family and his fellow man. Over
the span of 50-plus years of ministry, Dr. Henderson has influenced
more people than I could ever imagine.Danny Clymer, a former
student, edited a book in 2003 called "The Preacher's Teacher." It
tells the meaning and message of the Sermon on the Mount. It was
written by many individuals in honor of Dr. Henderson. In the
introduction by Ben Merold, we see why so many people love Doc.
Marion Wright
Henderson was born on December 22, 1922, near Hillsboro, Illinois.
Graduating from high school in 1941, Marion was drafted in the Army
in 1943. During his two years of military duty he served as a
surgical technician. He married his high school sweetheart, Vera
Elaine Martin, on March 28, 1943, in Abilene, Texas.
He enrolled in
Lincoln Bible Institute, Lincoln, Illinois, in June 1945 and
graduated three years later. He spent the summer of 1948-1950
attending Greenville College standardizing his LBI degree. He and
Vera moved to Scottsdale, Indiana, in the fall of 1948 to minister
with the Zoah Christian Church and to further his education with
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
In the fall of 1951
(and continuing through 1976) he taught at LBI (now Lincoln
Christian College) while also beginning a 25-year ministry with the
South Fork Church of Christ near Rochester, Illinois. Those who
heard him on special occasions and in numerous revivals came away
challenged, inspired, and with a deeper understanding of the Word of
God. He received his Ph.D. in 1966, and soon thereafter became known
as "Doc."
When he became
"Coach," he extended his teaching pulpit from the classroom to the
basketball court in what is now called Henderson Hall. That setting
allowed him to shape a whole generation of preachers. While they
practiced the skills connected with getting the ball through the
hoop, they learned discipline, endurance, and character. Several
alumni admit that they came to Lincoln Christian College primarily
to play basketball and left to preach the gospel because of Coach
Henderson's influence.
The summer of 1976
he was called to serve as the Chairman of the Biblical Department
for Central Florida Bible College, now Florida Christian College. He
then served as President of that college from 1980-1986.
Dr. Henderson
returned to LCC in1986 to work as "Special Assistant to the
President" so that he and Vera could be closer to their daughters:
Jane, Jill, and Judy, their sons-in-law, and their six
grandchildren. He remained as professor with the college until his
retirement in the spring of 2003.
[to top of second column] |
 For over fifty
years, he has embodied the words of Earl C. Hargrove's inaugural
theme: The Preachers Are Coming." Hundreds of students can testify
that Dr. Henderson preaches when he teaches and teaches when he
preaches. Many freshmen would say that his Gospels class not only
taught them the life of Christ, it also challenged them to a deeper
commitment to Christ and persuaded them for the first time to
consider Christian leadership ministry. His passion for preaching
and teaching and his love for word studies in the Greek New
Testament have furnished insights and illustrations for his many
lectures in third-year Greek.
Thank you, Dr.
Henderson, for a life well lived as a preaching teacher and for the
rich legacy you are leaving through the lives of your students who
are preaching and teaching the Good News all over the world.
Since that was written in 2003 there have been many changes.
Doc's beloved wife, Vera, has died, Lincoln Christian College is now
Lincoln Christian University, thousands of students have entered
those doors, and Doc's influence continues.
Doc is also a proud great-grandfather of three. One of his
great-granddaughters, Maria, is able to visit often. She comes in
with a smile and lights up his heart.
Here at the nursing home, Doc is continuing his message of love
through his quiet, gentle presence. On Thursdays at chapel, he once
again is teaching the Sermon on the Mount. His influence will never
end, because his passion for God will never end.
Thank you, Doc.
[By REBECCA JOHNSON,
Christian Village activity director]
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