When Danny Hendon was told by his father that he was going to be a pastor when he was older, the sense of pride one usually receives from a father’s encouraging word was replaced by fear. Hendon was scared for the future.
“When I was told this, I was told that I would preach to tens of thousands of people, the huge pressure scared me and I spent the next few years doing the opposite of being a pastor, making poor life choices and running away from my future.”
Hendon claims a significant event was responsible for turning his life upside-down and turning him away from the destructive path he was on back to the path he currently follows today.
Hendon, currently an Executive Pastor at City Point Church looks back on those years as a life now behind him as his current responsibilities keep him very busy towards the church and the community of Portage. These responsibilities include Sunday morning teaching, event planning, team leadership and community work.
“I never thought I would end up where I am now,” says Hendon. “I was essentially lost but now found. I believe that God is always chasing us and wants us to succeed with our goals.”
Hendon was also responsible for the planning of the recent Portage Baconfest, a popular Portage festival that Hendon views as a planning process that has evolved and changed over time.
“It’s incredible to see how much it’s changed since I first came in,” says Hendon. “When I first became an executive pastor, I never thought that I would ever be in charge of something as large as Baconfest.”
Hendon credits his father, lead pastor Mike Hendon as one of the biggest forms of strength and inspiration when planning the event.
“Baconfest would not be possible without the faith and trust of my father towards the staff and the church,” says Hendon. “We have wonderful people who go here. The only reason we can make as big of an impact on the community as we do is because of the people who go to our church.”
Hendon works side by side with his father when doing church related activities and planning. He credits those who attend the church as one the most rewarding parts of his job.
“It’s so rewarding seeing people’s lives change, seeing God change their lives,” says Hendon. “ It’s rewarding and comforting to see that everything is a process, that no matter where people are when people change for the better, it’s a life change more than anything. Family, jobs, they all change for the better and it’s a very powerful thing to see.”
Hendon also loves watching people love and care for one another and also claims it as one of his greatest joys.
“Watching love and watching people’s love pour into people along with seeing them share the love of God to others, it’s a joy to see.”
When Hendon isn’t working in the church, he enjoys spending time in the company of his wife and with friends. He also enjoys playing the keyboard and making music.
Hendon hopes that he is able to spread the church’s message as well as continuing to help people in the community. His goals for the Portage community include letting people live their life to the very fullest.
"We often ask the question of is there life after death? The question I want to ask is about is there life during life?” People seem to think life is about growing older, paying taxes, living out the rest of your days and then passing away, I don’t think this is necessarily true,” says Hendon. “I want to show people how to walk in the fullness of life while we’re here and I want them to find their calling through God.”