Thinking Of Dating A Pastor? Shaunie Henderson Shares 7 Things You Must Know Before Saying ‘I Do’ [Exclusive]

Source: Courtesy of The Hendersons / Courtesy of the Hendersons

Pastor Keion Henderson and his First Lady, Shaunie Henderson, are bringing their relationship talents to Cry Out Con 2025. But before the event kicks off, the couple is sharing what they’ve learned in their partnership to help others in their respective love journeys.

The pair officially married in May 2022. With almost three years of marriage under their belts, the Hendersons say that faith plays a huge role in how they present themselves individually and as a unit. 

Pastor Keion, 43, also says it’s vital for them to know how to manage the various factors that affect their work outside of marriage.

“We all have to manage multiple things,” he told MadameNoire. “You must manage yourself; if you have a significant other, you must manage that. I don’t see it as a daunting task that I, as an individual, must overcome. It’s a part of life. Everybody has to be multi-faceted.”

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“My wife and I try to make sure that we recognize that the Internet is not our relationship. That the church is not our relationship. That people’s opinions, they are not our relationship. We met each other. We chose this journey together and did what we had to stay on the original ship. We don’t let water in the ship. As best we can, we keep the ship in the water,” he explained, adding, “We try to communicate as often as possible about threats and realize we’re both human. We give each other as much grace as it takes to allow the other person to arrive at the best version of themselves. And so, we have different methods and tools, but that’s ultimately our goal.”

The mother-of-five says that there’s not much that came as a shock or surprise to her when assuming the role of First Lady at her husband’s Lighthouse Church and Ministries in Houston, Texas. She does, however, recognize that the women in this position are held to a different standard, something that Shaunie, 50, admits has not altered her from who she is as an individual, but instead helped her to evolve as a woman. 

“I had many conversations with a person that I trust that I could easily call a mentor in this space,” she shared. “She was candid with me, very open with me.”

As the pair prepare for the annual Cry Out Con in Houston, the Hendersons are hopeful that being open and honest about their own experiences will encourage others to do the same. This year’s theme, “All In,” a play on how AI technology is taking the world by storm, is meant to encourage people to step into the destiny of what God has for them.

Source: Courtesy of The Hendersons / Courtesy of the Hendersons

“I want people to feel encouraged,” said Pastor Keion. “I want folks to feel that no weapon formed against them will prosper. I want them to know that you don’t surprise God when you don’t reach the mark, but you do need Him to undo the job that life has done on you. I want folks to feel like they can run through brick walls. I want them to feel like they can manage their children and their businesses and their relationships. I want them to feel like they are overcomers because that’s what the Bible said—is that we are and we can have people coming in as they are, but not leaving like they came.”

Before they set out to transform lives during the conference, which will be held May 1 to May 3, the Hendersons opened up about their relationship, offering tips to those who may be preparing to step into the role of marriage as First Lady or a pastor, but also for anyone simply looking to put God at the center of their union.

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1. Don’t Meet Anyone’s Expectations

Referring to her trusted friend and mentor, Shaunie says this advice is near and dear to her heart, especially given the buzz that a First Lady is expected to dress a certain way and be at the mercy of the congregation’s opinions.

“One of the things that I hold dear is that she says not to meet anyone’s expectations,” said Shaunie. “Because once you meet one, there’ll be another one, and there’ll be another one after that, and you will never meet it and just be disappointing yourself and performing.”

“People have so many expectations of what you should be, how you should look, how you should talk, how you should walk, and my husband is super supportive in the area of just remain who you are,” she continued. “Don’t feel like you have to change and conform to what society or the culture says a First Lady looks like or talks, and all those things.”