Rev. Emanuel Henighan

Emanuel Henighan was born to Louis and Trulia (nee Doster) Henighan on March 25, 1968, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was born the sixth of eight children. Five of whom are brothers (one preceded him in death) and three sisters. Emanuel grew up in a large and loving family. This immense amount of love was primarily due to the strong faith of his precious mother who went on to be with the Lord in 2011. In 2000, Emanuel gave his mother his kidney to improve her quality of life. Such a selfless act was an example of who Emanuel was and lived every day of his life. Emanuel's mother and father moved their young family to Cleveland, Ohio in April 1964 and his mother joined St. Matthew United Methodist Church shortly thereafter. His father continued his affiliation with the Baptist church. His mother insisted that they go to church every Sunday (starting with Sunday school) while in the evening they would attend Baptist Training School at his father’s church. Emanuel was moved by the Spirit to join St. Matthew UMC at 10 years of age and felt a strong calling on his life to serve God and the church at the age of 8. Simultaneously, God was blessing him with a strong desire to play music. He started playing violin during church and eventually moved on to performing with other instruments (saxophone, clarinet). He was blessed to have access to the church after school and started practicing on the piano. While learning music theory at the Cleveland Music Settlement, he was enabled to improve his musical skills greatly. In addition, he was encouraged by great spirits in the church such as Mary Henry, her daughter Pat Beard (members of St. Matthew UMC) and his pastor, Rev. Dr. Warren G. Booker Jr., to continue learning and practicing. These experiences and more drove him to play the piano at International Christian Fellowship Church and anywhere else he could for God’s glory. Emanuel graduated from Cleveland School of Science in 1986, where he was the Student Government Association president and Gospel Choir director and musician. Emanuel made the decision to attend Morehouse College (Atlanta, Ga.) to pursue a bachelor’s in business administration. While attending Morehouse, he was an active member of the Morehouse College Glee Club under the masterful direction of Dr. Wendell Whalum and served as chaplain during his sophomore year. Although he was not a music major, Dr. Whalum was a great influence on his understanding and appreciation for other cultures and their music. During his years at Morehouse, he continued to serve in the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church as ministerial intern. After the school year, he served under several pastors as their intern during the summer. Emanuel served with the Rev. Rosa Clements (Wooster, Ohio) who taught him persistence and how to be strong in the faith and persevere. Also, the Rev. Gary Henderson (Cleveland, Ohio) who shared with him as an equal and enabled him to know that “Love” conquers all regardless of the situation. And lastly, the Rev. James Roberson (Cleveland, Ohio) who displayed the strength to endure and no matter what “God is there”. Emanuel was truly blessed and had great experiences with these wonderful servants of God. Emanuel left Morehouse College and began working for various companies within the metro Atlanta area. It was not until he started with General Electric (GE) when he began hearing God saying to him “feed my sheep”. Although he was doing music ministry, this apparently was not enough for the Father and Emanuel needed to finally heed God’s call. So, Emanuel returned to college and continued his studies at Georgia Gwinnett College (2007) to complete his Bachelor of Business Administration degree. While there, he continued to make the Dean’s List and was conferred in July 2011. Emanuel continued his journey of doing God’s will and began attending Candler School of Theology in August 2011. At Candler, Emanuel exponetially grew intellectually and spiritually. On May 12, 2014, Emanuel received his Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, Emory University. While reflecting on his time at Candler, Emanuel wrote: “After three years, I reflect upon my experiences and growth while attending Candler, I can definitely speak of my growth spiritually and theologically. While the economy and employment in the U.S. have improved in the past few years, I have increasingly encountered God’s people; regardless of race, age, gender, or sexual orientation, who have struggled to survive financially, mentally, and spiritually. These wonderful people of God are trying to make some sense of their current situation and seeking some hope in the midst that tomorrow may be a better day. God is calling for church leaders who will be sensitive to the spiritual and emotional needs of those who are trying to maneuver broken lives through a broken world. I firmly believe that it is the responsibility of church leadership (Clergy and Lay) to care for the flock regardless of their frailties or issues. Moreover, church leaders are to care for the flock and also have “self-care” consistently setting time for rest, relaxation and spiritual renewal.” After graduating from Candler, Emanuel began the process of becoming an ordained minister through International Christian Fellowship (ICF). On August 30, 2015, Emanuel was ordained and finally became what he was destined to be in his life, Reverend Emanuel Henighan. Emanuel shared his musical and ministerial talents at International Christian Fellowship for over 20 years under the leadership of the late Bishop Dr. William BGK Harris. Emanuel loved being a member of this church and doing the will of God. Emanuel’s ministerial experience and employment included being the Director of Music/Musician, Dean of the Bible Institute and instructor and on the Pastoral Staff (Counseling and Pastoral Care). Emanuel’s ministerial objectives were including but not limited to: · Continue to strengthen and empower those of faith in sharing their relational experiences with those who are struggling and require guidance in acquiring their own personal understanding. · Encourage those who are questioning their faith or understanding through meditation, music and others forms that may provide them moments for reflection and revelation. · Speak truth to power, particularly where there is injustice infringed upon any of God’s creation and seek reconciliation through understanding, relationship, and unconditional love. · Continue in sharing the gift of music as encouragement for those of faith and others who are seeking. At the time of Emanuel’s death, he was employed with Peachtree Christian Health as the Volunteer Coordinator, Spiritual Coordinator, and gifted vocalist and pianist. He loved walking the halls PCH and touching the lives of the participants, caregivers and staff. Emanuel did not have any biological children, but had a strong fatherly impact on his nieces, nephews and the children of his friends. He was affectionately known as “Uncle Emanuel” not only by his relatives, but those children he encountered because of how he made them feel. Emanuel would spend time with them reading a book, playing video games, watching movies, mentoring, singing or teaching them about God. His fatherly impact has left an indelible mark on the heart, spirit and soul of the youth and the fond memories of him will live within them forever more. On July 1, 2022, God sweetly called Emanuel home to a more perfect place of peace and love for his eternal rest. The family rejoices in knowing that their lives are truly blessed to have shared Emanuel’s love and nurturing, for so many wonderful years and in so many different ways. They praise God for being able to share and love him, but know that God loves him best. Emanuel was proceeded in death by his father, Louis T. Henighan, his mother, Trulia Henighan, his brother, Thomas Henighan. He leaves behind his brothers, Ronnie (Carolyn) Henighan of Cleveland, Ohio; Donald (Janet) Simms of Brooklyn, New York; Cota Henighan of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Joshua (Jaime) Henighan of Roswell, Georgia; Harold (Glenda) Massey of Euless, Texas; Louis (Evelyn) Henighan of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Opal Henighan of Atlanta, Georgia; his sisters; Pamela Henighan, of Cleveland, Ohio; Beatrice Henighan, of Cleveland, Ohio; and Janet Henighan Tolliver, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; Cassandra Henighan of Charlotte, North Carolina; special friends/brothers, Jahmel Wright of Decatur, Georgia and Ray Tolliver, of Decatur, Georgia; a loving aunt, JoNell Williams, of Charlotte, North Carolina; a host of nieces and nephews whom he loved greatly, and loving and supportive extended families, church members, co-worker and friends

Tributes

Rev. Emanuel Henighan

March 25, 1968 - July 1, 2022