Pastor Robert Henderson resigns from First Baptist Church

[March 21, 2014]  After over 21 years as the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln, the Rev. Dr. Robert Henderson has tendered his resignation and has accepted the position of director of chaplaincy at Memorial Hospital in Decatur. His last Sunday as the pastor at First Baptist will be March 30.

The community is cordially invited to attend special services on March 30 at the church. The day will open with an old-fashioned "singspiration" during the Sunday school hour, which begins at 9 a.m. Pastor Robert will be preaching at the regular 10 a.m. worship service. This will be followed by a shared meal, furnished by the church, in the fellowship hall at 11:30.

A service of celebration and remembrance will begin at 1 p.m. in the sanctuary and will include special music and a PowerPoint presentation covering the last 20-plus years in the life of First Baptist. Refreshments served afterward in the fellowship hall will allow a time to visit and reminisce.

Pastor Henderson accepted the call to First Baptist in the fall of 1992. He came to Lincoln from Mansfield, Ohio, with his wife, Melissa, and their infant daughter, Burgandy. Their son, Joshua, was born in 1998.

During his tenure, Henderson has stressed the importance of missions and mission work. He has led numerous mission trips in Wisconsin, Ohio, South Dakota, Oklahoma and Illinois.

First Baptist also purchased land at the corner of Fifth Street and Connolley Road in hopes of expanding the church ministry and service to the community.

Henderson contributed to the community by serving as a hospital chaplain and on the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital board. He also served on the school board at West Lincoln-Broadwell and participated in the Lincoln Area Musical Society Orchestra.

The church looks forward to having friends of the Henderson family and the church join the members for as much of the special day as possible.

[Text from file received from First Baptist Church of Lincoln]