Pastors & Staff

On February 18, 2018, the Reverend Dr. Brian C. Henderson accepted the call to serve as the Senior Pastor/Head of Staff at St. James Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Born and raised in Rankin County, Mississippi, Pastor Henderson finished high school at Richland Attendance Center in 1995 and entered the University of Southern Mississippi the same year. Upon graduating from college, he went on to Johnson C. Smith Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA. At Johnson C. Smith, pastor Brian studied New Testament, biblical language, and preaching. He also served as a grader and assistant teacher for the New Testament classes. During his time in seminary, pastor Brian served as a student pastor at Lebanon Presbyterian Church in Ridgeway, South Carolina, did mission work in Jamaica, and preached at several other churches across the country. In 2003 Reverend Henderson graduated from Johnson C. Smith Seminary with honors.  In 2008 Pastor Henderson received a Master of Arts in Religion from Memphis Theological Seminary and graduated in May 2016 with his doctorate from the same institution.
 
Pastor Brian received a call to become the pastor of Parkway Gardens Presbyterian Church and was installed in September of 2003.  While in Memphis, he served in various capacities on many boards and community organizations around the city. In February 2014 he became the first African American clergy-person to serve as Moderator of the Presbytery of the Mid-south. He also served as the chair of the presbytery’s coordinating council, delegate to the General Assembly, and as a member of the Commission on Ministry.  While apart of the Synod of Living Waters Dr. Henderson served as a member of the finance committee.  He also served as a Memphis City Council appointed trustee for the Memphis Public Library system.  

Upon arriving in Charleston, Dr. Henderson continued to serve the community and the church.   Currently Dr. Henderson serves as the chair of the Charleston Atlantic Presbytery’s Nurture Ministry which is the body that promotes Christian Education and church enhancements within the presbytery.  He serves as a member of the Transformational Leadership Taskforce for the Synod of the South Atlantic where he visions with others about ways that the synod can provide leadership development for its members. Dr. Henderson is also serving a second term as a trustee for Stillman College located in Tuscaloosa, AL.  Stillman is a historically black college founded and supported by the Presbyterian Church USA.  At St. James Dr. Henderson guides the staff and leaders in a relentless effort to reach as many people as possible with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  In his own words Dr. Henderson states:
“While I have served as a full-time pastor for over 15 years, the mission of my life is not to be a pastor.  The mission of my life is to honor God with my life every day and to do my part to expand the kingdom of Jesus Christ until my time is done.  I do this as a pastor for sure, but I also do this as a father, son, husband, brother, neighbor, and friend.  And if it can be said when my time is done that someone came to know Jesus Christ through me, I feel that I would have honored God with my days, the by the gracious gift of God’s grace, God will welcome me home.”

Rev. Cecelia D. Armstrong is called “CeCe” by friends and family members. She has never met a stranger and continues to collect friends and family members throughout her Christian journey through life and real-world experiences. So, if you are privileged to read this brief biographical sketch, then consider yourself a part of her collection of friends and family members.
 
Pastor CeCe was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She was baptized at Calvary Presbyterian Church (USA) and remained a very active member there until her decision to make Georgia her home. As an active youth at her home church, Pastor CeCe served as an officer for Calvary’s Youth group, the Michigan Chapter of the Black Presbyterian Youth Caucus, the Midwest Steering Committee Representative for the National Black Presbyterian Caucus, the Presbytery of Detroit Youth Council, and the Synod of the Covenant Youth Council.
 
While participating in all sorts of fun activities, she took on serious roles as well. One particular incident led to the creation of the National Black Presbyterian Youth Caucus, which remains active today, within the National Black Presbyterian Caucus. Her hard work and endeavors led to being the youngest recipient of the Lucy Craft Laney Award. Remaining active with the Presbyterian Church through her days spent at Spelman College, Pastor CeCe attended, and eventually joined, New Life Presbyterian Church (USA) keeping membership through 1997. After earning her first Master’s degree and accepting a job as a high school mathematics teacher near Augusta, Georgia, Pastor CeCe became a member of Belle-Terrace Presbyterian Church (USA). While there, she was ordained as a Deacon, and then an Elder, before she accepted the call on her life into ministry.
 
 
Favorite Scriptures:
Proverbs 2:1-5 (Listening for God’s direction)
 
Hebrews 11:1 (Offering a full sacrifice to God)
 
Psalm 23 (Verifying who God is in all things)
 
Matthew 28:19-20 (Empowering others to do God’s work)