Volunteer Spotlight: Laura and James Henderson
'God doesn’t require perfection from me – just a willing and obedient heart'
Notice how lovingly decorated our lobby is for Christmas? That’s the handiwork of Laura and James Henderson and a team of volunteers they lead. Remember the PumpkinPalooza fall festival stage? Also the imprint of the Hendersons. They’re an integral part of our Events Team, as well as community group leaders, and they find great joy in both roles. Here, Laura shares about her and James’ experiences as CCC volunteers.
How long have you been part of CCC?
My husband, James, our sons, Aaron and Thomas, and I have been a part of CCC since 2012.
What ministries do you serve in, and how did you get involved in those areas?
We got started in Kingdom Kids a few years ago when there was a need to help with an autistic teenager. We fell in love with him and his mom, and served once a month for about two years. Now that there is no longer that need, we do “fill-in” help with Kingdom Kids on an as-needed basis.
James and I also host and lead a community group in our home on Tuesday nights. Billy Gross approached us and asked us to pray about leading a group. We pretty much immediately said, “Yes, we would love to!” For a long time we have felt that the Lord gave us our Harris County home for use in serving the people of our community.
I have also been a part of the Events Team since summer of 2017. Jodie Creswell and Anja Staten asked me to join and it has truly become one of the most rewarding and fulfilling jobs I have. I love being a part of His creative team.
How long have you been part of CCC?
My husband, James, our sons, Aaron and Thomas, and I have been a part of CCC since 2012.
What ministries do you serve in, and how did you get involved in those areas?
We got started in Kingdom Kids a few years ago when there was a need to help with an autistic teenager. We fell in love with him and his mom, and served once a month for about two years. Now that there is no longer that need, we do “fill-in” help with Kingdom Kids on an as-needed basis.
James and I also host and lead a community group in our home on Tuesday nights. Billy Gross approached us and asked us to pray about leading a group. We pretty much immediately said, “Yes, we would love to!” For a long time we have felt that the Lord gave us our Harris County home for use in serving the people of our community.
I have also been a part of the Events Team since summer of 2017. Jodie Creswell and Anja Staten asked me to join and it has truly become one of the most rewarding and fulfilling jobs I have. I love being a part of His creative team.
What do you enjoy about serving in those ministries?
I cannot say enough about how much I enjoy our community group. We might host it, but God uses everyone in our group and allows their talents and gifts to shine. We share each other’s struggles and victories. We have become a family as we pray, serve and “do life” together.
And speaking of family, both of my boys are involved in our group. That is one of the greatest blessings. Our 8-year-old came to the nursing home with our group and passed out candy canes and hugs as we ministered through caroling to the residents. I love how God can use us at any age or stage of life in our Christian journey.
Being on the Events Team has allowed me to turn “new faces” into friendships. I love the creative aspect of it. James and I enjoy working on the projects together – things like decorating the church for Christmas and building backdrops. God uses both of our talents as we work side by side.
How does it feel to serve God in these ways, knowing these are roles He has shaped you for?
It was very humbling at first that God allowed James and me to lead a community group. It had been our heart’s desire for a long time, but God has given us great leaders in our church and allowed dear friends also to come alongside and walk step by step with us. I have learned through the years that God doesn’t require perfection from me – just a willing and obedient heart that He will guide and use for His glory.
How has the CCC staff equipped and empowered you for these roles?
Billy is such an encouragement to us. In 2012, we had just joined our first community group. The very next night, our then 3-year-old son was bitten by a copperhead snake. Not really knowing anyone else at church, we called Billy, who was at our group meeting. He came to the hospital right away, prayed with us and came back again at midnight. He checked on us regularly during the next week or so. This is why I love community groups and our church so much. Billy really inspired me to want to serve others in the same capacity.
Anja and Jodie, and our entire team, have been amazing in the Events ministry. These two women give us support and encouragement to be as creative as we want.
Do you have a favorite memory or special moment from a time when you served at CCC?
One of my favorite memories is of our community group as they worked with James and me in the freezing cold for hours setting up the trailer for the PumpkinPalooza fall festival. They saw my vision for it and just pitched in and we got it done. What a blessing they are to me! We turned a hard job into a fun afternoon of fellowship. Serving together has strengthened our group and our friendships.
What would tell anyone who is wondering if they should get involved as a volunteer at CCC?
The size of our church can be a little overwhelming at first and we tend to sit in the same row, in the same section at the same time, and see the same people week after week. I think we forget that there are friendships to be made just across the aisle if we just get out of our comfort zone. Serving in any capacity opens our hearts to new people. We have all gone through joys, hardships and experienced peace and heartache at some time. God wants us to tell our stories, pray for others and give encouragement. What better way can we do that but by serving others?
I cannot say enough about how much I enjoy our community group. We might host it, but God uses everyone in our group and allows their talents and gifts to shine. We share each other’s struggles and victories. We have become a family as we pray, serve and “do life” together.
And speaking of family, both of my boys are involved in our group. That is one of the greatest blessings. Our 8-year-old came to the nursing home with our group and passed out candy canes and hugs as we ministered through caroling to the residents. I love how God can use us at any age or stage of life in our Christian journey.
Being on the Events Team has allowed me to turn “new faces” into friendships. I love the creative aspect of it. James and I enjoy working on the projects together – things like decorating the church for Christmas and building backdrops. God uses both of our talents as we work side by side.
How does it feel to serve God in these ways, knowing these are roles He has shaped you for?
It was very humbling at first that God allowed James and me to lead a community group. It had been our heart’s desire for a long time, but God has given us great leaders in our church and allowed dear friends also to come alongside and walk step by step with us. I have learned through the years that God doesn’t require perfection from me – just a willing and obedient heart that He will guide and use for His glory.
How has the CCC staff equipped and empowered you for these roles?
Billy is such an encouragement to us. In 2012, we had just joined our first community group. The very next night, our then 3-year-old son was bitten by a copperhead snake. Not really knowing anyone else at church, we called Billy, who was at our group meeting. He came to the hospital right away, prayed with us and came back again at midnight. He checked on us regularly during the next week or so. This is why I love community groups and our church so much. Billy really inspired me to want to serve others in the same capacity.
Anja and Jodie, and our entire team, have been amazing in the Events ministry. These two women give us support and encouragement to be as creative as we want.
Do you have a favorite memory or special moment from a time when you served at CCC?
One of my favorite memories is of our community group as they worked with James and me in the freezing cold for hours setting up the trailer for the PumpkinPalooza fall festival. They saw my vision for it and just pitched in and we got it done. What a blessing they are to me! We turned a hard job into a fun afternoon of fellowship. Serving together has strengthened our group and our friendships.
What would tell anyone who is wondering if they should get involved as a volunteer at CCC?
The size of our church can be a little overwhelming at first and we tend to sit in the same row, in the same section at the same time, and see the same people week after week. I think we forget that there are friendships to be made just across the aisle if we just get out of our comfort zone. Serving in any capacity opens our hearts to new people. We have all gone through joys, hardships and experienced peace and heartache at some time. God wants us to tell our stories, pray for others and give encouragement. What better way can we do that but by serving others?
Want to get involved as a volunteer at CCC? Take our Gifted to Serve class (details and dates here) to learn how God has uniquely shaped you for service. If you already know how you're gifted and what you want to do, jump right in - contact Anja Staten (anja@ccclive.org) for next steps.