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Samuel Walter Henderson (Sam) was born in Atlanta in 1954. His father (a Presbyterian pastor) and mother led their family in practicing faith together daily. His father’s pastorates took the family to Raleigh and Durham, NC and later to New Orleans, LA. As a student at Louisiana State University, Sam began to sense a call to pastoral ministry. After helping to start an InterVarsity chapter at LSU, Sam went on to serve five years as an InterVarsity campus staff member in Alabama, serving on several university campuses including Alabama and Auburn. Sam then went on to receive a Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston and a Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Seminary in Atlanta.
Sam’s first wife, Catherine, died tragically in 1997 soon after their move to NC. Sam’s faith was tested and ultimately strengthened as he and his children (teenagers at the time) struggled with the loss. Sam believes that much of the faith that sustains him daily and the sensibilities he offers as a pastor were tempered during those times of hardship, grief and loss. Sam entered interim ministry at this time and feels the experiences he has had as an Interim Pastor have uniquely equipped him to serve as the Senior Pastor for FPC. Sam and Lane married in 2002.
“I have come to trust, profess faith in and bear witness to Jesus Christ through the teaching, nurture, accountability and fellowship of the Church, and through many dimensions of personal experience. I have been nourished profoundly by the lives, faith and faithfulness of countless believers, young and old, seasoned saints and brand new believers who exhibited parts of God’s grace and glimpses of God’s glory through their service as Sunday School teachers, youth advisors, Scout leaders, church officers, etc., or simply as winsome witnesses to God’s presence through their lives. This has included those who wept with me in the experience of life-shattering personal tragedy and those who have rejoiced with me at the loving-kindness of our faithful God. Whether I’m working with staff, elders, or other members, I like to foster and be part of a team environment. I believe character is crucial and that leaders are to be those growing in personal faith and servant leadership.”
FORMAL EDUCATION
1996 D. Min., Columbia Theological Seminary
1985 M. Div., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Honors: Cum Laude
Byington Assistantship, Social Ethics
Robert J. Lamont Award for Excellence
1976 B.A., History - Louisiana State University
PASTORAL EXPERIENCE
Interim Pastor and Head of Staff: Clear Lake Presbyterian, Houston, TX
Interim Pastor and Head of Staff: Covenant Presbyterian, Fort Myers, FL
Interim Pastor and Head of Staff: Swift Creek Presbyterian Church, Midlothian, VA
Interim Pastor and Head of Staff: Westminster Presbyterian, Charlotte, NC
Pastor & Head of Staff: Jamestown Presbyterian Church, Jamestown, NC
Associate Pastor, South Highland Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL
Pastor, Mount Pleasant & Pisgah Presbyterian Churches, Selma, AL
RECENT SERVICES TO CHURCHES & DENOMINATIONS
2006 Personnel Task Force, Presbytery of New Covenant
2004 COM Church Conflict Task Force, Presbytery of the James
2002-3 Natural Church Development Task Force, Presbytery of Charlotte
MISSION TEAM LEADERSHIP CROSS-CULTURAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES
As a mission oriented pastor, one of Sam’s great passions is learning about God’s work in and through the world church, participating in and facilitating partnerships between believers of different cultures. He has participated in and usually shared in the leadership of mission and learning trips to:
Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Haiti, Jamaica and Romania
SAM’S SENSE OF CALL
I come as a pastor who believes he is being called by God to serve as Pastor and Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, GA. I come to a congregation with a history that includes, at many points, bold vision, great sacrifice, courageous obedience and exemplary faithfulness. I also come to a congregation whose legacy is still in the process of being determined. I believe FPC is a congregation, like every congregation, that stands daily at the crossroad of decision and must daily choose again to discern, hear and obey God’s voice, knowing that yesterday’s experiences of grace are not a substitute for today’s faithful obedience. I have the sense that First Marietta is a church not willing to rest on its laurels or be satisfied with reminiscing about yesterday, but like the apostle Paul is eager to run the race before it, throwing aside whatever holds it back, and exhibiting a passion to finish the race well, knowing that the one who has begun a good work in us will faithfully bring it to completion.
I believe faithfulness and spiritual growth always mean change under God's hand. I believe all believers are called to ministry. As pastor, I take seriously my biblical calling to help equip God’s people for the work of ministry. My delight is in working with congregational leaders to see Christian believers leading others to faith, building disciples and following Christ’s call to mission in our world. I desire to preach and teach with passion, biblical attentiveness and dependence on God’s Spirit in ways that engage spiritual seekers, challenge believers and encourage kingdom dreamers. I am committed to keep a growing walk with God and close engagement with members’ lives, the community and the world.
I love to be a part of the growth process that happens as leaders discern their vision for a particular part of congregational life, form clear objectives and plans, then pray and work together in dependence on God’s spirit. One of my interests is helping people discover spiritual gifts, get in touch with God-given passions, and offer their resources in service to God.
FROM THE PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE
We have worked faithfully to seek the person whom God is calling to lead and serve this congregation as Senior Pastor. We considered many candidates and experienced excitement and anticipation in the two year spiritual journey that we traveled together. We trusted God’s faithfulness that, in His timing, the person He had chosen would be made known to us. Thank you for your patience with us in this process.
As we read Sam Henderson’s Personal Information Form, talked to his references, interviewed him both by telephone and in person, listened to his sermons, got to know him and Lane, we were more and more led by the Holy Spirit to this man. We were tremendously impressed by his faithfulness in life’s tragedies and joys, his spirituality and his gifts for ministry. Although some of us are out of town today for long planned vacations, we want you to know that we are all both unanimous and enthusiastic in recommending that this congregation call the Reverend Doctor Samuel W. Henderson as Senior Pastor/Head of Staff. We are excited about the possibilities for our church with his leadership!
Doug Allen, Randy Evatt, Doug Ivester, Trevor Jordan, Libba Schell, KK Petit, Bob Stephens, and Harrison Williams
MEET THE HENDERSONS!!
 Sam was a widower when he met and married his wife Lane five years ago. They have two grown children, Andrew and Lauren. The Hendersons’ also have a dog, Snickers, who is a beloved member of the family.
Lane, a native of NC, enjoys speaking, teaching, leading retreats and has a passion for helping others discern their unique callings. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, her background is in advertising sales and management. Lane, a licensed Path Elements Profiletm (PEP) trainer, works with teams in business and ministry coaching them to maximize their performances.
Andrew (24), a graduate of Appalachian State University, lives with his wife Michelle in Charlotte, NC, where he is employed in the audio engineering field and she in banking. Lauren (22) recently graduated from Wake Forest University. She has been accepted to the Fuller Seminary School of Psychology and plans to enter after a nine month mission project in Mexico.
Sam’s favorite leisure activities are jogging, hiking, racquetball, tennis, reading novels on the porch at Montreat, listening to either of his children perform musically and enjoying good food with good friends. In addition to family, church and career commitments, Lane enjoys exercise, travel, artwork, reading and staying in touch with friends.
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, Pastor & Head of Staff 
