Founding BBFI leader A. V. Henderson went home to meet his Savior December 28, 2015, at the age of 96. Born September 18, 1919, in Anson, TX, Henderson spent more than 75 years in ministry as a pastor in the states of Louisiana, Texas (Baptist Temple, San Angelo), Indiana (Calvary Baptist Church, Connersville), Delaware (First Baptist Church, New Castle), and Michigan (Temple Baptist Church, Detroit).
Mr. Henderson succeeded G. B. Vick as pastor of Temple Baptist Church, Detroit, MI, in 1975 where he pastored for eight years. Throughout his ministry he was active in the BBFI serving in several national offices. He served as BBFI president from 1972-1974. He also is the only person to have served as founder and president of Baptist Bible College East, now Boston Baptist College, (1977-1985) and as president of Baptist Bible College, Springfield, MO, (1983-1986) succeeded W.E. Dowell. During his tenure at BBC he founded Baptist Bible Graduate School of Theology.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Aubra Lee Patton Henderson. Funeral services were held at Heritage Baptist Church in Haslet, TX.
From: Eddie Lyons
When I was a student at Baptist Bible College one of my favorite speakers was A. V. Henderson. He would walk up to the pulpit and deliver a message with great power, clarity, and conviction in 15 minutes. He always left us wanting to hear more.
He contributed meaningfully and sacrificially to Baptist Bible Fellowship. He could easily have limited his vision to pastor his local church, but he saw the bigger picture. When our Fellowship turned their focus to church planting in New England, a part of the country where we were not strong, he became the first president of Baptist Bible College East, now Boston Baptist College. He would later serve as president of Baptist Bible College.
All of us know serving in the kind of leadership roles Mr. Henderson took on requires personal sacrifice and dedication. His commitment to the vision of taking the Gospel to the world through our Fellowship efforts was evident. His contributions will continue to bear fruit. We are grateful for his life and ministry.
From: Dave Melton
We lost another giant. When A. V. Henderson passed to glory I had sadness, of course, and admiration, and thankfulness … and a tinge of loneliness. From my perspective, there isn’t another person on earth now who understands what it’s Iike to sit where I do. I only had the privilege to meet Mr. Henderson once, and on that occasion — our college’s 25th anniversary — I got that richest of privileges … to hear him preach — actually it was more like a 12-minute oratorical limousine ride … to Jesus. When he finished that evening, I knew why he was the last speaker of the night — nobody on earth would have wanted to follow that. I just wanted to go sit in a quiet corner somewhere and be with Jesus.
So many others have more memories of sermons, and certainly had more conversations and fellowship with Mr. Henderson than I, but I feel a strong kinship with him. For years we kept a quotation of his on the hall just down from my office. It said, “We will open the school in the northeast, because there are 51 million lost souls up there.” I know something about how John Rawlings and Mr. Henderson worked to start our college in the northeast. What I know best is why they did it. And that reason is the same reason guys like me have to stand on their broad shoulders and carry on their work.
From: Mark Milioni
The Baptist Bible College family wishes to express our deep sadness in the passing of former BBC President A. V. Henderson. Mr. Henderson served BBC during a difficult and tumultuous time for the school. Through this, he served with integrity and honor.
Mr. Henderson was known as a master of the pulpit. He inspired thousands with his short but powerful, fiery sermons. There is no possible comparison to his unique preaching style and he was a favorite among students. His preaching resulted in many coming to salvation and making deeper commitments to Christ. His testimony and personal character are still spoken of highly around the campus of BBC.
As the current president of Baptist Bible College, I am humbled to follow in the footsteps of such a great man. I came to BBC as a freshman during his tenure. Mr. Henderson offered my wife and me a Presidential Scholarship. This made a significant difference in our young marriage and made it possible for us to attend college. He also served as a pastor for many years and was a hero to me. His power in the pulpit and his loving humble demeanor has provided a great encouragement and example to me both as a pastor and as president of BBC.
Mr. Henderson left a legacy for us. May his life encourage us to strive for excellence in life and in ministry and challenge us to be faithful to the end. Mr. Henderson is fondly remembered at Baptist Bible College and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.