The Henderson Church of Christ has worshipped at the corner of 12th and Green Streets in Henderson, Kentucky for generations. Its mission, Building Community at the Corner of Faith and Love, reflects a congregation that takes seriously both the bonds among its members and its calling to serve the river-town community around it. From Sunday Bible class to Wednesday evening devotionals, the church follows the simple New Testament pattern that has shaped Churches of Christ since the Restoration Movement.
Roots in the Restoration Movement
The plea for a return to New Testament Christianity in Henderson began in 1909, when a small group of Christians started meeting in J.T. Springer's home. In 1938, the property at the corner of 12th and Green Streets was purchased, and the church met in the house on the lot for about five years. In 1941, when the government bought land in Union County for a military camp, two church buildings on that property were donated to the Henderson congregation. They were disassembled and reconstructed on North Green as a 40-by-40 frame building over a full basement. Around fifty members began using it in 1943.
The building was enlarged and remodeled in 1954, a new auditorium was built in 1966, and additional annexes were added to provide classrooms and a multipurpose basement room. In the fall of 2006, the congregation merged with the Southside Church of Christ, a union that benefited both groups.
How Sunday Morning Worship Works
The Sunday morning service follows a simple, biblically-centered order. A member offers a brief welcome and announcements, the song leader leads the congregation in two or three songs, and an opening prayer is offered. After another song, the congregation partakes in the Lord's Supper, followed by the offering. The preacher then delivers a sermon from the Bible, and the service closes with the Lord's invitation, a final song, and a closing prayer. The whole service lasts about an hour, and guests may participate as much or as little as they wish.
A Cappella Singing and Spoken Prayer
Worship music is a cappella, sung without the accompaniment of musical instruments, in keeping with the practice of the early Christians (Ephesians 5:19). The goal is to focus on praise to God the Father. Spoken prayers, led by one of the men, are a regular part of the gatherings, and the congregation often prays for specific needs and requests.
The Lord's Supper Every First Day of the Week
The Lord's Supper is observed every Sunday morning. Plates containing pieces of unleavened bread are passed throughout the congregation; the bread symbolizes the body of Jesus. Trays of small cups of grape juice follow, symbolizing the blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:23-25). Baptized believers are encouraged to participate, but visitors who choose not to are invited to simply pass the plate along to the person beside them.
The Preaching and the Invitation
The preacher carries no special title, is not called Pastor or Reverend, and does not wear special clothing. The reason is the belief that all are equal in the brotherhood of believers (Matthew 23:8-12; Galatians 3:26-28; 1 Peter 2:5, 9). The lesson runs 25 to 35 minutes and is Bible-centered; visitors will find Bibles in the pews and most Scriptures displayed on the screen. At the close of the lesson, the speaker extends an invitation, encouraging anyone who wishes to respond to come to the front while the congregation sings. Some respond for baptism, to confess sins, or simply to ask for prayers. If someone responds for baptism, they will confess their faith in Jesus Christ and be baptized by immersion for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38).
A Week at Henderson Church of Christ
The week centers on three Sunday gatherings and a midweek Bible class. Sunday begins with Bible class at 9:30 a.m., followed by worship at 10:30 a.m. and evening worship at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday night starts with a shared dinner at 6:00 p.m., then a devotional and Bible class at 7:00 p.m. From early June through early August, the Wednesday night program becomes the Summer Series, a guest-speaker schedule that draws people from across the region; children in second grade through sixth grade meet together downstairs as Kingdom Kids during those evenings.
Visiting Henderson Church of Christ
Guests find a variety of dress styles, from Sunday best to jeans and a t-shirt, and the minister typically wears a bow tie. The main entrance is on the south side of the building under the canopy, with parking available anywhere in the lot. A greeter will be at the door to welcome visitors and help them find a classroom or a seat. A nursery is available for the youngest, and Bible classes are offered for every age during the Sunday and Wednesday class times. Nothing is required to bring; songbooks and extra Bibles sit in each seat, and most verses appear on the screen at the front.
HCM Explorers: Children's Ministry
The Henderson Children's Ministry, called HCM Explorers, serves newborns through fifth grade. Its aim is to teach children that Jesus loves them, that God is a loving God, and that church is the best place to learn about Him. Bible classes run every Sunday morning and Wednesday night. During the summer, the children gather as Kingdom Kids for a combined class. Vacation Bible School is hosted each year. Fourth and fifth graders also meet once a month on Sunday evenings after worship for devotionals that include games, dinner, and a short lesson, hosted by members of the congregation.
The Henderson Youth Group, the Hedgehogs
The Henderson Youth Group (HYG), affectionately known as the Hedgehogs, serves students in sixth through twelfth grade. Its mission is to commit to creating connections within the church and growing in Christ, with the goal that when members graduate high school they will thrive as faithful Christians for the rest of their lives.
Sunday Bible classes follow the theme "Red Letter," a study of what Jesus said during His ministry. "Bible Schooled" walks through the first fourteen chapters of Acts, and "Where God Stands" examines what God said through the Minor Prophets Hosea, Joel, and Obadiah. Yearly events include Wednesday-night Garage Gatherings in the summer, the West Kentucky Summer Youth Series on Tuesdays, the Challenge Youth Conference (CYC) in Pigeon Forge each January, RUSH at Freed-Hardeman University each September, a week at Western Kentucky Youth Camp each summer, Spring and Fall Retreats, Evangelism University, the Frosty Pumpkin dinner hosted for the church's senior members, Taco Tuesday fellowship at the Terrys' home, and monthly devotionals hosted by members of the congregation.
Young Adults
The Young Adults group serves those aged eighteen to forty. Members meet on a regular basis for fellowship, study, and good food. The group is committed to acting out its faith through service while supporting and spending time with one another.
MomCo for Mothers
Since September 2023, the church has hosted a MomCo group, the local chapter of the international MOPS ministry, now known as MomCo. The group welcomes all moms of newborns through fifth grade and meets on the second Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A typical meeting includes practical teaching through speakers, demonstrations, and videos, plus food and honest conversation about motherhood. Childcare is not currently provided.
King's Copy and the Women's Retreat
King's Copy is the congregation's daily Bible writing plan. Each day, members write one to three verses to focus on, with monthly schedules available for download. The annual Women's Retreat gathers at Western Kentucky Youth Camp for a weekend of fellowship and study.
Leadership
David Salisbury has served as pulpit minister since July 2013. A native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, he holds a B.A. in Bible (1996), a Master of Arts in Religion (1999), and a Master of Divinity (2001) from Lipscomb University. He and his wife Heather have been married since 1996 and have three children, Abby, Darby, and Will. Heather works for the local Tourism Department.
Josh Terry began as Youth and Family Minister in February 2020. He holds a B.A. in Public Relations with a minor in Religious Studies from the University of Tennessee at Martin (2015) and a B.A. in Ministry from Harding University (2018). He and his wife Emilie, who also graduated from Harding with a degree in Ministry, work together with the children and youth. They have been married since 2018 and have one child.
The elders are Bob McIndoo and Rodney Newton. Deacons and their areas of service include David Arthur (Children's Ministry, Technology and Media), Jason Arvin (Missions, Youth Ministry, Women's Ministry), Shane Boggess (Treasurer), Micah Busbey (Education), Brad Carter (Benevolence, Events, Meals), Karl Dawson (PrimeTimers), Matt Grissom (Building and Grounds), Juan Nunez (Men's Ministry, Community Outreach), Mark Springer (Transportation), and Leland Steely (Worship).
Members and guests gather on North Green Street around a steady rhythm of worship, study, and service, holding to the New Testament pattern that has defined this corner of Henderson since the early twentieth century.