Obituary of David H. Henderson

6/20/1950 – 12/9/2009 David Herschel Henderson, a missionary to Russia and Indonesia with WorldVenture, died of gastroesophageal cancer on December 9, 2009. He was born in Drain on June 20, 1950. His parents were Edward Demp and Marie Henderson, also deceased. His aunt Helen still lives in Drain. Dave and his wife, Sherie, were married for 35 years and served with WorldVenture for over 27 years. They began their ministry in 1983 in Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia, where they helped with WorldVenture’s church planting and leadership training team. In 1994 Dave, Sherie and their family moved to Moscow, Russia, where Dave directed the educational department for Project 250—a ministry focused on church planting in the former Soviet Union. Dave served in several leadership capacities throughout Russia and Europe, specifically providing oversight to the process of strategic planning for many WorldVenture missionaries in Europe. Dave’s role as Russian Regional Director provided him the opportunity to oversee member care, financial management and conflict resolution involving international teams and multiple organizations. Dave’s real passion, however, was always in member care. He loved spending time with highly gifted team members and hearing their personal adventures and ministry stories. President Hans Finzel noted in a recent letter to Dave, “When I think about the qualities that I appreciate most in you, it is things like risk-taking, perseverance, faithfulness, integrity, friendliness, a positive attitude, and solid strategic leadership skills.” Dave is survived by his wife Sherie; children Adriel and Christina Henderson, Paul Henderson, Anna and John Taylor, and Sean and Evangeline Henderson; and six grandchildren, David, Abigail, Miriam, Calvin, Maya, and Corey. He is also survived by his brothers Dale, Gil, Nolan, and Nealan, and sister Francis Cowan. The memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 19, 2009, at Gladstone First Baptist Church, Gladstone, Oregon. For those who would like to remember Dave, a memorial fund has been set up in his honor: Dave Henderson Memorial Fund, WorldVenture W. Mineral Ave., Littleton, Colorado 80120. Contributions to this fund will go to leadership training in Europe and the Middle East. Arrangements were by Crown Memorial Center in Milwaukie, OR. Please feel free sign in the online memorial comment section.