STEVEN PAUL HENDERSON

Steven Paul Henderson Age 65 years old, Auburn, CA, went to be with our Lord on Thursday, March 1st, 2012. He died suddenly at his new home in Auburn. Steve was born May 11th, 1946, in Washington, D.C. to Kenneth and Elizabeth "Betty" Henderson. Steve married Cindy Stratton on July 11, 1986 in Desert Hot Springs, CA. They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last year. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Muskingum College, Ohio; Master of Divinity from Golden Baptist Gate Theological, Mill Valley, CA; and Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA. He spent 15 years working with K-Mart in various capacities, then left that career to go to Seminary to prepare for Christian Ministry. He served as Assistant Pastor to Rev. Kent Philpott at Miller Avenue Baptist Church, in Mill Valley, CA, then came to serve as the Senior Pastor of Lucas Valley Community Church, San Rafael, CA in 1987 where he continued until his retirement on February 26, 2012. Steve loved to golf, ski, and walk his beloved dog, Scottie. In his younger years he was a wrestler and quite the musician in a band in college, where he sang and played the guitar and did the same on the church's Praise Team for many years. Steve currently served on the boards of Watoto Wenye Nguvu, Kenya, and The Open Table, Phoenix, Arizona. Steve started many ministries at Lucas Valley Community Church and community focused programs. He brought the Divorce Recovery Workshop to LVCC in 1995 and that program still runs today. He brought GriefShare to the church/community a few years ago, which helps those through the loss of a loved one. He and Jeff Nichols coordinated efforts to start the Marin Co. R.E.S.T. (Rotating Emergency Shelter) program for the homeless and it's been running for three years now. He was actively involved with the Marin Cursillo Movement, which he loved. His most recent venture was to assist folks out of poverty one by one through The Open Table program based in Phoenix, AZ. He traveled to the Ukraine to teach a Bible class in the mid 90's, took two tour groups to Israel, and visited two orphanages in Mexico City, Mexico to see how the church could help. People loved him for his care, compassion, sensitivity, hard work, dedication and most of all, faithfully leading by example and vulnerability as he experienced God's grace in his own life. Steve is survived by his wife, Cindy Henderson of Auburn, CA, daughters Julie Park and her husband, Troy, from American Canyon, CA, Jamie Henderson, Bakersfield, CA, and step-daughters Jennifer Guinn and her husband, Rick, from Fairfield, CA, Melanie Stratton, from San Rafael, CA, and their grandchildren: Samantha Guinn, Cooper and Logan Park, and Emilie and Madelyn Dorkin, his sister Lynn Henderson of Connecticut, and nieces/nephews: Heidi Henderson, Ken and Jennifer Rosen, Tom Henderson and his wife, Jennifer. He is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Elizabeth Henderson, and brother, Scott Henderson. A memorial service open to everyone will be held on Saturday, March 10th at 1:00PM at the New Life Christian Center, 1370 So. Novato Blvd., Novato, CA 94947. Contributions in memory of Steve can be made to the Missions programs at Lucas Valley Community Church, 2000 Las Gallinas Ave., San Rafael, CA 94903. He was so loved and will be missed dearly. See you in heaven, Steve.