As a pastor, Sharon Henderson has been serving the community since 1989. Now she wants to take that service to a broader level, and has announced her candidacy for the Georgia House of Representatives, District 113.

Henderson, a Newton County resident since moving here in 2012, recently served as pastor at New Bethel Love church in Charleston, South Carolina, helping people in her community through food banks, food giveaways and running the church’s day care center. She also worked with seniors and special needs children through the church. While serving as pastor, Henderson also worked in the banking industry, doing everything from management to mortgages.

“I’ve been helping people in the community,” Henderson said. “In this capacity [state rep.], I’ll be taking it to another level. I’ve always had the job, but never the [state rep.] title.”

Henderson said people coming up to her about her community service was one of the reasons she decided to run.

“I think I can make changes in every aspect,” Henderson said. “I love people, love being around people and helping them and serving them. I think people are ready for a change of politicians saying things and not doing it.”

Henderson said the mix of her past work in churches and her possible future work in the state capitol won’t be a bad thing, but rather a combination beneficial for the community.

“I’d like to partner with some of the pastors to do something for people in prison,” Henderson said. “I want to help young men that need a second chance and give them mentorship before they get in trouble.”

Henderson has experience working with youth, not only through her church’s day care, but also as a mother of four. Henderson has a 35-year-old son, a 30-year-old daughter, a 28-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old daughter. She has been married for 24 years and has three grandchildren.

“I learned early on from humble beginnings the value of hard work, teamwork and perseverance,” Henderson says in a flyer distributed to the community.

That flyer is part of a campaign Henderson said would be a clean and visible one.

“People talk about my opponent not being visible, not being transparent and not mingling with people,” Henderson said. “I hear this every day. People are coming to me with these comments.”

Pam Dickerson has been District 113’s Rep. after being elected in 2010.

Henderson and Dickerson will be on the ballot for District 113 during the 2016 election.