Ron and Gloria Henderson honored for 50 years in music evangelism

ORLANDO, Fla. — Georgia Baptist evangelists Ron and Claudia Henderson, longtime members of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, were recognized and honored for their 50 years of music evangelism when the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists met in Orlando during this month’s annual gathering of Southern Baptists. 

While church music has changed over the years, the Hendersons, through their compelling spirit and musical giftedness, have continued to provide the kind of music that touches the heart and thrills the soul. They are still very much engaged in serving the Lord in revivals and heart-warming concerts throughout the land. 

Since the 1800s, when the great preacher Dwight L. Moody partnered with music evangelist Ira D. Sankey, whose music captivated great throngs of worshippers, singing has been a vital part of revivals. Sankey set the standard that Ron and Claudia Henderson have maintained and honored with their inspiring gospel music.

Ron and Claudia have provided music for more than 450 revivals over the past five decades, have sung more than 2,000 concerts, and traveled more than 1.5 million miles across 19 states. The Hendersons have not only served churches, but also blessed state and national conferences and conventions with their singing.

The extent of their ministry has taken them everywhere from a used car lot in Alabama to some of the largest churches in our nation. They have seen countless people give their lives to Christ, including 51 professions of faith in a single revival meeting at First Baptist Church in Garden City, Georgia. During their ministry, the Hendersons have also recorded seven music albums.

Jeff Cleghorn, music evangelist and secretary/treasurer of Georgia Baptist Evangelists, commended the Hendersons, saying, “Ron and Claudia Henderson are a beautiful picture of total reliance on our Heavenly Father.  They have never wavered from their calling into full-time music evangelism.  They have been steadfast and focused wholly on Jesus to provide opportunities for ministry and the resources necessary for them to serve.  

“Now, in the fourth quarter of life, they remain faithful to carry the Gospel anywhere they are invited.  The Hendersons are some of the kindest and most humble people I know. I am grateful for the road that they have traveled and paved for the next generation of evangelists.  They are wonderful examples of living a life of faithfulness to God.  They will surely hear Him say, ‘Well done’ one day!”

Fred McCoy, former evangelist and recently retired pastor of Houston Lake Baptist Church in Perry, emphasized, “I have known Ron and Claudia Henderson since 1974. My dad used them in revival meetings in the 1970s. Everywhere they go to serve, they are greatly loved. I have worked with them in revival meetings and used them as a pastor. There is a reason for their long and enduring ministry. They are authentic and genuine Christians. They very well may be the finest servants of God that I know."

Gary Morton, who served for many years as Minister of Music at Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins, stated, “Ron and Claudia Henderson are some of God's most precious, choice servants. I have had them in all three churches I served, including Burns Road Baptist Church in Lilburn, Central Baptist Church in Athens, and Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins. 

“The Hendersons have faithfully ‘applied their hands to the plow’ in service to our Lord and continue to lay up treasures in heaven through their music evangelism and concert ministry.”