Again, welcome to our "virtual home." Now that you're here, let me take a little time to share some of my life-story. In so many ways we become, in part, what we've experienced. My desire here is to share some of my experience with you. I can't wait to meet you and hear what makes you tick!

My name is Craig Henningfield. I was born in May 1956 in Iowa City, Iowa. When you see my "baby book," I have pictures from 15 different homes in and around central Iowa. My early years were spent moving between various communities as my dad worked different jobs. I started Kindergarten in Marshalltown and lived there till October 1963.

When I was seven, my family moved to Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.  For the next 8 years, while my father served as a lay missionary overseeing the business and finance of the growing LCMS mission church, I was enabled to engage Asian culture and their ways of life. I've watched families burn paper idols and smash gods made of stone! Before I was 15, I'd visited Hong Kong, the Philippines, Okinawa and Japan. I've seen the sunrise from the top of Mt. Fuji; hiked the mountain range that divides the island of Taiwan; watched the elaborate ceremonies honoring Confucius' birthday; and celebrated Chinese New Year and Double Ten Day many times.

I attended Taipei American School through my freshman year of high school. TAS was an American-style education while living in the heart of Chinese culture. We lived some 11 miles from the school in the northeast area of Taipei. I was actively involved in the various sports offered.

Returning to the United States in 1971, I lived a year in Kingsley, Iowa, eventually moving to Wall Lake, Iowa. I graduated from Wall Lake Community High School in the spring of 1974.  After one formative year at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, I returned to Wall Lake to marry my high school sweetheart in the fall of 1975.

The next 5 years were lived in the Wall Lake area learning the construction trades and working as a small business owner.  Trained originally as a "finish carpenter," I gradually came to oversee and be involved all phases of home building and construction projects. And, it was here that Angela and Marty were born. I am so proud of the young adults they have become!

In the fall of 1980, I returned to college, graduating from Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska in 1982 with a major in history. I entered Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri that fall. I completed this part of my vocation-training in 1986. I remember some great mentors along the way who helped me better understand the work of my calling.

From St. Louis, our little family moved to Streamwood, Illinois. I served as the pastor of Grace Lutheran Church from July, 1986 to January, 1989.  My primary role here was to nurture a small congregation back to health, put them on a good course for the future and establish them back in the community. I sure enjoyed watching them grow in confidence and hope!

We moved to Littleton, CO in January, 1989 where I served as the Senior Pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and School. I met so many great people there. I was privileged to serve and work in so many different areas during my tenure . I especially enjoyed my teaching role and the many mission trips to different places. For two years, I produced and was the lead teacher of a radio ministry designed to encourage spiritual formation. It was here, as part of leading the Life Class, that I began asking myself "what would happen if I took Jesus at his word?"

Since my early years were lived overseas, I have continued to support of the work of the Church around the world. I have traveled twice to Russia and into the People's Republic of China seven times for the purpose of training young leaders and encouraging effective ministry among God's people. I was privileged to tour India for the same purpose.

In the fall of 2002, I began a Doctor of Ministry program under the direction of Leonard Sweet. Then, leaving SOTH, I entered the secular job market in 2003 with the question "what must happen in order to take Jesus at his Word in the emerging culture of this region?" I had been pondering the personal aspects of this question for more than a decade, and now was being moved to consider the communal aspects. These questions, and the various answers that are developing, drive this ministry and website!

Today, I'm still happily married to Sheryl - "the wife of my youth"! We have two children. Angela, our daughter, is married to Matt and they have two sons; which means I have two grandsons! Marty, our son, was recently married to Rochelle. I live in Reunion, a development in the north part of Commerce City, Colorado - near DIA.

So, welcome to The Church Without Walls! Other parts of this website will explain what we are and how we are approaching our work. In the near future, I look forward to meeting you in person! You can always reach me at craig@thechurchwithoutwalls.info or 303-725-6760.