Brian Underwood
Dear Northern Nevada,
Today’s Faith and Insight is a little different than what loyal readers of this space are used to. (Yikes, change!) But, just for today, I hope you’ll indulge me.
I’m unsure how universally known it is that the Faith and Insight column is written on a rotational basis by a group of area pastors and Christian leaders aligned through a body known as the Carson City Christian Ministerial Fellowship (CCCMF).
Aligned in Jesus Christ across mainline and non-denominational lines, the fellowship has been united for over 40 years to pray for and provide spiritual support for the community.
A similar fellowship of amazing faith leaders in Carson Valley prays for and supports those living in the valley. Examples of the CCCMFs connection to the public include writing the weekly Faith and Insight column, praying for the Carson City Board of Supervisors meetings, organizing the National Day of Prayer service at the Capitol, and praying for the Nevada Senate when the Legislature is in session.
Association is voluntary, as is the work contributed by the group. But even with benevolent groups like the CCCMF, there are those members who invariably and incomparably help keep things moving forward, and for the past four decades, one of the CCCMFs most steadfast members has done just that while serving his flock at Airport Church of Christ (ACC).
On Sept. 22, that humble servant will celebrate his 78th birthday, and his last sermon, as he retires from over 50 years in ministry to the greater Carson City-Valley area. In 1973, Pastor Bruce Henderson, and his wife, Wanetta, headed west from their first ministry call in New England to plant Airport Church of Christ.
Last May, the always-smiling and ever-positive servant of the Lord celebrated 50 years of service to his flock. When he steps to the pulpit for the final time next month, he will retire with 55 years of service to the cross, across the community.
Simultaneously with his role as pastor at ACC, Henderson served as a volunteer chaplain for Carson-Tahoe hospital for 50 years until stepping aside in June 2023. And starting in the 1980s, Henderson added service to the CCCMF to his already-full-plate of spiritually supporting the community.
I first met Bruce in fall 2018, when he was serving as the fellowship’s president. From the moment I first met him, I knew that Henderson was one of Jesus’ special disciples.
His kind and gentle manner that is always focused on how you are doing, and that consistently asks how he can pray for you, is a testament to the blessing Carson City has experienced for the past 51 years.
In the intervening years since COVID, Henderson has continued to serve the association by scheduling individuals to pray for the board of supervisors and write the Faith and Insight column.
When it’s your turn to serve as a columnist, you can not only count on Henderson for a friendly courtesy reminder the week it’s due, you can always expect an affirming word after it is published. That’s just who Henderson is – a kind and “talented” servant of the Lord, much like the favored servants in the Parable of the Talents.
In the Book of Matthew, Chapter 25, v.14-30, a master is poised to take a journey and entrusts his property to his three servants. To the first two, he grants five and two talents (currency), respectively, and to the third servant one talent.
Each was entrusted a sum based on his ability. Upon the master’s return, he learns the first two servants had traded the talents in a manner to double the return.
To each of the first two servants, the master said, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over little; I will set you over much.” (v. 21-22). The third servant, fearful of his master and losing what was entrusted to him, buried the talent, thereby earning no return, and also the wrath of the master for squandering the opportunity.
The master represents the Lord, and the servants his people. God calls us to use our modern-day talents to honor him in proportion to what he has given us. Our relationship with the Lord is one of stewardship.
He calls us to use everything entrusted to us to glorify him, and out of his abundant love, God promises to bless his people, here on earth, and into eternity.
Henderson has multiplied many-fold what has been entrusted to him in ministry, leading to new opportunities of service along his journey. He has blessed his congregation with faithful teaching and stewardship; he provided comfort to the infirmed at Carson-Tahoe Hospital, and his gift of organization and administration have blessed the members of the CCCMF, and the community it serves.
From the members of the CCCMF, your flock at Airport Church of Christ, those you blessed at Carson-Tahoe Hospital, and those in our community who never met you but were blessed by your immense talents, thank you, Henderson. Well done, good and faithful servant!
Brian Underwood is retired executive director at Sierra Lutheran High School, adjunct faculty member SLHS and WNC.