Meet The Pastor
Rev. Al Henager
The Rev. Al Henager as a healthcare chaplain for over 30 years and as a Chaplain Educator in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) for major academic medical systems for ten years. He honorably retired from his last position as Chaplain Educator & CPE Supervisor at the University of Kansas Health System on July 1, 2022.
After completing his undergraduate degree at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, Chaplain Henager received his master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He also completed doctoral work at Midwestern Baptist Seminary in Kansas City.
Chaplain Henager is a Board-Certified Clinical Chaplain, Pastoral Counselor, and Diplomate in Pastoral Supervision with the College of Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy (CPSP). He is a founding member and served as the first president of Clinical Pastoral Education International (CPEI), the fastest-growing chaplain education and credentialing organization.
An experienced speaker, teacher, and preacher, Chaplain Henager has presented workshops on end-of-life issues, grief and loss, crisis intervention, and compassionate care. He has also presented seminars at the Annual Conference of the Association of Professional Chaplains, CPSP, and CPEI. He was in demand for pulpit supply for churches of several denominations, including Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal, Baptist, non-denominational, and others. In addition, he has served as pastor of local parishes and has been active in the work of the larger church through his presbytery and in ecumenical efforts.
Chaplain Henager dedicated his life’s work to help meet the spiritual and emotional needs of healthcare patients and their loved ones as they navigated the crises of disease, injury, and death. He has multiplied this ministry by teaching others to be healthcare chaplains and also by offering seminars to church leaders, both clergy and lay, to help them become more effective pastoral care givers.
Al came to Holiday Hills Methodist Church as Pastor in May of 2024. He is married to his wife Katy. They have five children, ten grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. They live with their puggle Annabelle in the parsonage near the church.