"Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers (catchers) of men."
Matthew 4:19

From Wave-Catcher to Soul-Catcher
Michael Guy Henderson passed away peacefully on May 3, 2024 after a brief battle with
melanoma cancer. He was born on February 6, 1947 to Alice "Pearl" Henderson and Serber
Henderson in Atlanta, Georgia. At 7 years of age his parents moved the family (including now
his younger brother Dan) from North Georgia to the Florida coastal town of Cocoa Beach. He
grew up spending every spare minute surfing the waves and living the "beach life".
Soon after graduating from Cocoa Beach High School, Mike served for several years in the
Military Police near White Sands, New Mexico. After his military service ended, his passion for
surfing only grew, as did his attachment to the things of this world. Little did he know how God
would turn a passion for catching waves and things of this world, to a passion for catching souls
and things NOT of this world.
In the early 70's one of his surfing buddies came to know the Lord, and soon after, led Mike to
the Lord. His life was radically changed. No longer did he live for the waves, but he began to
pursue God with all his heart. When he heard that many people groups around the world had
never had an opportunity to know God, he felt challenged to join New Tribes Mission (now
Ethnos 360) to be trained in missionary service.
During his training he met Diana Friesen, a farmgirl from Northern Manitoba, Canada. They
could not have come from more opposite backgrounds, but their deep love and commitment that
lasted 50 years, and produced three children: Philip Lee, Barry Dean and Leslie Alice.
Together, Mike and Diane dedicated their lives to the Aziana people of Papua New Guinea,
translating and teaching them the Word of God, and loving and caring for them in a deep and
special way. Up until the end, Mike was still working on revising existing passages and
translating more of the Old Testament for his dear Aziana friends. Not only did he serve the
Aziana people, but he also spent many years as a consultant. He travelled to many remote parts
of the world helping and encouraging teams involved in church-planting.
He will be remembered for his jokes, his stories, his friendly kindness to everyone he met, his
deep commitment to family and above all his passion for his Savior. No one left his company
without hearing about the God, who reached down and took a wave-catching surfer and turned
him into a soul-catching missionary.
Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Diana, his parents, Serber and Pearl, his brother, Dan,
and grandson, Taran Cork, as well as numerous souls he "caught" for the kingdom among the
Aziana and around the world. He is survived by his children: Philip, his wife Elin, and their
children Callie Missey and Elias; Barry, his wife Liz, and their children Reece and Jacob; and
Leslie Cork, her husband Ben, and their children Rowan and Haven.
As waves of grief wash over those of us left behind, we are thankful for the even greater waves
of grace that bring hope, strength, and peace. Mike was loved and will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the Aziana fund through Ethnos 360:

ONLINE:
Ethnos360
https://ethnos360.org/projects/where-most-needed

*Please note in the comments that it is for the HENDERSON MEMORIAL FUND

OR

BY MAIL:
Ethnos360
Finance Office
312 W 1st St
Sanford, FL 32771

*Note in the comments for: Henderson Memorial Fund (Aziana)


Cards can be mailed to:
Leslie Cork
116 N Summerlin Ave
Sanford, FL 32771

A memorial for Mike will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. at the Chapel at:
The Homes of Ethnos 360
108 Mission Blvd.
Sanford, FL 32771

Directions: After turning off of Celery Avenue onto Mission Boulevard proceed directly ahead
to the large building in front.