Bishop Wellington Bernard Henderson was born February 1, 1942, to Mr. & Mrs. James and Sittie Mary Henderson in Dumas, Arkansas. He graduated from Reed High School. With only twenty-five dollars, a suitcase, and a Bible, given to him by his mother, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri. He later sent for his fiancee', Mary Lee, and they married in May of 1964. Bishop Henderson is the father of four children, grandfather of eight, and great grandfather of three.
While working different jobs, he attended Greater Holy Temple Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Bishop C. N. Rucker. At the age of 23, he received the Holy Ghost while in Sunday School. There he served as Chairman of the Deacon Board and Young People Willing Workers President. He later accepted his call to the ministry and served as assistant to the Pastor. God blessed and as a result he was employed by General Motors (GM). While working for GM, he continued to advance himself by enrolling in Mechanical classes. He received the Master Certification in Automotive Technology.
In 1976, at the age of 34, Bishop Henderson said "yes" to the Lord to a greater calling...to Pastor God's people. On August 1, 1976, along with his wife, Mary Lee, and four children, he founded Trinity Temple Church of God in Christ, located at Linwood and Woodland in Kansas City, Missouri. His ministry began with his family of six and one member.
In 1978, Trinity Temple moved to 4510 Prospect. This building held approximately 75 people. After 4 years, Trinity Temple grew to its capacity. God was truly blessing Bishop Henderson spiritually and financially. He enrolled in classes at Western Bible College, and went into partnership with a friend, and purchased a Sinclair's Gas Station. He was able to buy a red and white van which he used to pick up the children in Grandview, Missouri, not knowing that one day the Lord would bless him to build in that suburban area. Each Sunday morning he would drive the van to pick up the children who lived about 20 miles from the church.
In 1982, Bishop Henderson stepped out on faith and purchased another building at 7230 Prospect. It was there that God blessed the membership to grow to over 300 members. God also blessed him to become self-employed and to purchase a Phillips 66 Gas Station/Auto Shop located across the street from the church. He closed the gas services and kept the auto shop opened, which was later renamed W.B's Auto, where business was overflowing with cars everywhere. He would work on cars all day, then get cleaned up and go across the street to preach God's word.
As Bishop Henderson's ministry continued to grow, he became a part of the Western Missouri Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Bishop E. Harris Moore. He served the Jurisdiction in the capacity of Administrative Assistant and Superintendent of Sunday School.
In 1990, at the age of 48, the Lord blessed Trinity Temple to purchase 33 acres of land in Grandview, Missouri. In 1992, Trinity broke ground and began building their first temple. Trinity Temple held its first service on July 4, 1993. Because the congregation continued to grow, at the age of 58, the Lord again allowed Bishop Henderson to oversee Trinity Temple to build their second temple in January of 2000. The membership now stands at approximately 1,200 + members. God has blessed Bishop Henderson to become a full-time Pastor and he is able to continue his studies at Heart of America Bible College, and give back to the community. Bishop Henderson served as Chairman of the New Beginnings Residential Group Home for Children Inc., and is also a member of the Concerned Clergyman Association. Bishop Henderson personally oversees the disbursements of mission funds. As a result of being a mission minded church, Trinity gives thousands of dollars each year to those in need of food, assistance with utilities, and young Pastors struggling in the ministry. He has also founded a program called 'Bridging the Gap" which allows the church to adopt an inner city school and provide assistance to the children of low income families in need, with services from cholesterol checks to mammograms for the community. Family is very important to Bishop Henderson, that is why the church offers over 40 ministries ranging from substance abuse, marriage counseling and singles ministries, to youth ministries, and recreational activities. Our church motto of "God's love has sent us to You" has proven to be a blessing for Bishop Henderson and the Trinity Temple Family.
