The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG – For Marne Henderson, this will be the first August in 15 years that she hasn't spent time setting up her classroom at Waitsburg Elementary School. Henderson exited her position as third-grade teacher in June and says she feels the time is right to pursue her passion as YoungLife Area Manager.

Henderson is a fourth generation Waitsburg High School graduate. She attended Eastern Oregon College and Walla Walla Community College for one year each, playing basketball at both. She then went on to earn her Bachelor of Education degree at Eastern Washington University.

Henderson said her own third-grade teacher, Anita Baker, ignited her desire to teach.

"I enjoyed her tough love. She was caring but held us accountable. It was in third grade that I learned I was an OK reader and that reading was enjoyable," Henderson said. "I fought the desire for quite a while and took business courses in college. But my first year at Eastern I realized I really wanted to be with kids and changed by major."

Henderson worked as a substitute teacher in Dayton, Waitsburg, Prescott and Walla Walla for two years before taking a full-time job teaching grades 4-8 at the Blue Mountain Christian School in Dayton, where she taught for eight years.

She was hired in Waitsburg in 2003 to teach a grade 4/5 combination class. Over the years, she taught grades two through eight, and ended teaching third grade. Henderson said she can't pick a favorite grade when it comes to teaching.

"In a small school you get to watch kids grow and I love watching their personalities change through the years. It was fun to see them learn, gain new interests and relate to different subjects," she said.

Henderson said she is known for her silliness. An example is her title as Champion Cupcake Eater. When a child had a birthday, they could bring a cupcake for Henderson and she would regale the classroom with her unique ability to down the entire thing in one mouthful.

"Being silly is a good way to help kids relate to you. I like to bring fun and silliness to the classroom and balance it with serious learning," she said.

Henderson was also known for her frog decor.

"When I left the Christian school, I knew it would be hard to teach somewhere that I couldn't share my faith. So I started collecting frogs. The acronym FROG stands for Fully Rely on God. When kids asked why I had so many frogs, I could share that with them. By the end of last school year, I had 160 frogs in my classroom!" she said.

Henderson also brought some of her competitive spirit into the classroom. She once promised her students that if her class won the cookie dough sale contest, she would give them something they had never experienced.

The students pulled through for the win and Henderson transformed the classroom into an enchanting rainforest.

"My class was studying plants at the time. The rainforest took nine-and-a-half hours to set up and three hours to take down!" she said. It is something her students will never forget.

These days, Henderson doesn't need to wait to be asked to share her faith. She has accepted a full-time position as Area Director of YoungLife, overseeing the Dayton High School, Waitsburg High School and Dayton and Waitsburg Middle School ministries.

Henderson said she knew four years ago that she was called to full-time ministry. Three years ago, she knew it would be with YoungLife.

"It just feels right. I'm doing what I should be doing to be obedient," she said.

Henderson worked along with Jan and Terry Nealy when they started YoungLife in Dayton in 1998 and has remained active in the organization ever since. Her passion for the ministry is evident.

"YoungLife is based on answering three questions for kids. Do I matter? Do I have a purpose? Am I loved? We meet kids where they are, spend time with them, let them be who they are. We don't judge them, and we take the opportunity to share our faith with them," Henderson said.

"YoungLife is all about relationships. I love people, both adults and kids. I love spending time with kids and letting them 'do life' with me. There is no pressure other than to build a friendship. That's what Christianity is – a friendship with Jesus, not religion," she added.

Henderson said she knows the time is right to make the change this year, even though she is required to raise a good chunk of her own salary, through sponsorships, which takes a leap of faith.

She said the community has been very supportive of YoungLife. Twenty-two middle schoolers and six leaders from Dayton and Waitsburg will head to Washington Family Ranch, August 5-9, to attend camp.

Henderson said they are still raising camp funds. YoungLife has received a donation from the Warren Fund and community members have supported the kids with carwashes and hiring them for odd jobs.

Henderson said the two main challenges local YoungLife groups currently face is the need for leaders and a need to raise $60,000 through donations and/or sponsorships to cover administration salary and related expenses.

"Anyone can be a leader. It takes about two to three hours a week and all you have to do is hang out with kids and invite them into your life. People shouldn't be intimidated. If someone has an interest, they can just call me and we'll find a fit for them," Henderson said.

Henderson said there is a need for up-front leadership, sponsors, behind-the-scenes helpers, donors and prayer warriors. Anyone interested in participating in YoungLife in any way can contact Henderson at marne69@gmail.com, or (509) 386-2365.

"I was offered a full-time YoungLife job away from here last year. But I knew at that this is where I belong and where I have the support I need. I'm excited to move forward," Henderson said.