The Henry Legacy of Love Continues

The Chapel family mourns the death of Greg Henry, a 12-year old boy who died on Sunday after his body and organs were overtaken by an agressive virus. Greg grew up in The Great Adventure (TGA) and is truly one of our own. I’ll never forget my interactions with the three Henry brothers (Jake, Scott and Greg) while I served in TGA. (There are also two younger sisters, Robin and Jennifer.) They are awesome kids, who loved coming to church. They really stood out because of their attitude of excitment toward learning about God and their kindness and respect for others. Because of their actions, my husband, Dan, called their dad, Bob, on the phone and asked if he would come and serve as a small group leader in our grade school ministry. Dan thought with kids like that, the dad has got to be incredible.  Bob said, “yes,” and though Bob didn’t share this with Dan at the time, he had not yet become a Christian. Over the course of a few months, leading a small group of 2nd grade boys, Bob was so impacted by the questions kids were asking and the faith that they were professing, that he himself made the decision to follow Christ.

When The Chapel moved from the high school to our new building in Grayslake, Bob became one of our key leaders in the K-1 classroom. Then, as we launched a Saturday night service, Bob and his family became the key hosts of the after-service dinner we served to volunteers and their families. Every Saturday night Bob, his wife, Mary, and their family would make sure everyone had GREAT food to eat. To this day, despite Mary enduring two life-threatening battles with cancer, the Henrys continue to host many gatherings at their home after the Saturday night service.  

The Chapel became central to their lives, and they have given everything at their disposal to the advancement of God’s kingdom. They look for every opportunity to shower love on people through their hospitality, their leadership and their gentle demonstration of faith. Though having 4 children of their own, they reached out to adopt their precious little Jennifer from Quatamala. They are a family who lives the Word, especially that described in James 1. Despite many trials, they live joyfully and perserve in their faith.

Greg, a quite, kind, trumpet-playing 7th grader (after celebrating the Super Bowl win of his favorite team) is now on the greatest adventure of his life: he is livin’ it up with the King of Kings! Depsite the gaping hole Greg’s absense on this earth has left, the Henry family continues to glorify God in all they do. As Chapel funding fell short for the Community Care Center, the Henry family has asked that there be no flowers at the memorial service, rather they humbly ask that donations be made to The Chapel to fund the building of The Chapel’s new Community Care Center so that all people have a place to come for food, clothing and love.

Some of you have asked how you can be a support to this family. If you feel led, please make checks out to The Chapel. In the note section write: Greg Henry. All donations will go to the building of The Chapel’s new Community Care Center. Thank you!

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