Pastor Dennis Henderson, D.Min.

2909 Summervale Lane
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
(248) 762-5909 Dennis@DrDH.net

Experience

RECENT MINISTRIES:

Pastor of Bethany Church in Waterford MI 2016-present.

Transitional Minister for American Baptist Churches 2015-2016
(Short-term Interim Pastor for church in between pastors at: First Baptist Church of Birmingham, MI)

Transitional Minister for American Baptist Churches 2014-2015
(Short-term Interim Pastor for church in between pastors at: Westhaven Baptist Church of Port Huron, MI)

Transitional Minister for American Baptist Churches 2014
(Short-term Interim Pastor for church in between pastors at: Immanuel Baptist Church of Ypsilanti, MI)

Pastor of First Baptist Church of Muskegon 2009-2014
First Baptist Church of Muskegon (American Baptist Church)
Muskegon, MI 49442

Senior Pastor with three staff members, some significant achievements were:

  • Strategized and implemented a plan to turn around a declining church which resulted in the doubling attendance in four years (from 70 to 142 average annual attendance) with 50 believer baptisms.
     
  • Stabilized the finances of the church and developed and implemented a Mortgage Reduction strategy to accelerate the payoff of the church mortgage. In a single year retired over $50,000 of debt beyond regular mortgage payments and eliminated paying over $100,000 interest and still took on the financial support of two missionaries.
     
  • Reformatted the worship experience to include both traditional and contemporary styles. Developed a media format for worship that featured visualized sermons that were broadcast on Comcast Cable TV (sermons may be watched on YouTube). This helped to draw in a missing younger generation.
     
  • Developed personal growth strategy for spiritual formation utilizing intense concentrated Bible Studies, called "More to Life."
     
  • Developed a men's ministry with Bible study, fellowship, and Christian service events. The church also developed a new women's ministry around weekly Beth Moore Bible studies and hosted several area wide Beth Moore simulcasts.
     
  • Trained two gifted leaders in a lay minister training program who are now licensed to preach. These lay ministers share pastoral responsibilities.
     
  • Developed and implemented a lay evangelism outreach program titled "Gift Evangelism" to train members how to effectively share their faith one on one. One quarter of the congregation has been trained.

PREVIOUS MINISTRIES

Pastor of Outreach and Discipleship 1997-2004
First Baptist Church of Pontiac
White Lake, MI 48386
(Renamed Woodside Bible Church of White Lake)

Associate Pastor of Christian Education and Outreach ministry, other achievements included:

  • Developed a church-wide small group ministry called "New Community." Small Group ministry was the focus of my doctoral research.
     
  • Established a singles ministry that included a comprehensive, year-round divorce recovery program and single-specific outreaches that impacted hundreds of single people.
     
  • Wrote a post-divorce recovery curriculum called "Living Single Again," implemented it in the church. Later started a company, Single Initiative, LLC, to produce and distribute a seven-part video DVD curriculum entitled "Living Single Again." Marketed it to churches with divorce recovery groups. Over 200 churches have used the curriculum nationwide.
     
  • Developed assessment tools for ministry effectiveness and formulated a strategy and vision for future church ministry.
     
  • Served as Adjunct Faculty at Michigan Theological Seminary (now Moody) in the Christian Education Department.

Senior Pastor 
Shawnee Hills Baptist Church
Jamestown, OH 45335

Senior Pastor with two staff members, some significant achievements were:

  • Stabilized the church in its financial recession.
     
  • Countered a stagnant attendance with 25% increase in attendance.
     
  • Led the church to alternate-style, double worship services to accommodate overcrowded facility.
     
  • Led in a building expansion and then dedicated that added space to the Lord's service.
     
  • Served as Chairman of the Trustees and as an annual Youth Camp Speaker at the Scioto Hills Camp and Retreat Center, Wheelersburg, OH.
     
  • Preached two evangelistic campaigns for national churches in the Philippines.