Jeff Henson
Written by Kevin Green | Photos by Robert McCarty, Peak RES
How a premature birth shaped Jeff Henson’s path to real estate
A LIFE-CHANGING PERSPECTIVE
When Jeff Henson's son Carter entered the world at just 28 weeks, weighing only 3.2 lbs, the fragility of life became real in an instant.
What followed — months of uncertainty, fear and tiny victories — did more than test his resilience as a father. It forever altered his outlook on life, work and the way he connects with others.
Before real estate, Henson spent two decades in the nonprofit world, serving people in crisis through pastoral care and community leadership.
However, nothing in his professional past could prepare him for the emotional whirlwind of Carter’s premature birth. The experience instilled in him a deep appreciation for the moments we take for granted and a renewed sense of gratitude.
“My wife Christina’s water actually broke at 26 weeks, so the fact that he actually stayed in there two weeks was a miracle in and of itself,” Henson said. “He was in the NICU for two-and-a-half months, and I think in that moment, as I'm in the NICU, I just realized there are hundreds of other stories and narratives going on at the same time, and not all of them ended well. I got a little bit of perspective and gratitude through that.
“You never know what the person next to you — or even a client or neighbor — is carrying and what they're dealing with because I know when we were going through that year, nobody knew the stress. I always want to err on the side of grace, give others the benefit of the doubt and believe the best.”
That perspective didn’t just shape his personal life — it would become foundational to the way he works with clients.
Now, years later, Carter is a thriving high school sophomore at Bixby and a member of the tennis team. His progress serves as a daily reminder to Henson that life’s challenges, no matter how daunting, can lead to unexpected strength and purpose.
“It was a very fully surrendered and vulnerable season that we went through,” Henson said. “That was in 2008, but it definitely was a transforming moment.”
Henson is also a proud father to Camden, his 19-year-old daughter, who continues to be a source of pride and joy.
FROM THE PULPIT TO PROPERTY LINES
Henson’s journey into real estate wasn’t linear.
He first got his license at 21 but spent years focused on ministry work, working with students at churches in Glenpool and Las Vegas and helping launch and later merge a church community in the South Tulsa/Bixby area.
It wasn’t until 2015 that he returned to real estate, driven by a desire to better support his family financially while still serving others in meaningful ways.
“I was on a road trip with buddies," Henson said, "and I had a friend say, ‘Have you ever thought about real estate?' I was like, ‘Well, funny thing — when I was a junior college, I did it and I actually liked it.’ That kind of got me thinking that maybe this is what I’m supposed to do.”
For Henson, real estate isn’t a departure from his past, it is a continuation.
Much like his time in ministry, he sees every transaction as a deeply personal process. Buying or selling a home is often tied to life’s biggest moments — marriages, births, job changes, loss — and he approaches each client interaction with the same care and grace he honed in church work.
“From what I'm coming from, I've just always learned to absorb it (the stress of a crisis) and be able to carry it,” Henson said. “I think that's always been a unique trait to me, as I can walk into a hospital or into a funeral-prep situation and be able to absorb it, process and still lead through it. I think it's translated into real estate because there's a lot of crises and there's a lot of emotions, but I’m able to stay level-headed to lead people where they're trying to go.”
PATIENCE, PERSPECTIVE & PROFESSIONALISM
Henson knows that stress can bring out the best and worst in people.
His time spent walking others through crisis — both as a pastor and a parent — taught him the value of empathy and patience. He recognizes that real estate is more than contracts and commissions; it is about understanding people and helping them navigate emotional, sometimes overwhelming transitions.
That philosophy guides Henson in every negotiation and showing. His goal is not only to help clients close deals but also to leave them feeling supported, respected and empowered throughout the process.
“At the end of the day, you're trying to help facilitate and lead someone to the finish line of a highly stressful transaction — maybe the largest purchase or investment in their life,” Henson said. “I think having a lot of humility and understanding on our side is critical.”
WORDS OF WISDOM
To new agents, Henson offers a piece of advice that reflects his own journey: run your own race.
In an industry filled with highlight reels and social media comparisons, he encourages others to focus inward, build sustainable practices and stay committed to excellence.
For Henson, success is not measured by transactions alone but by how he serves people — honestly, compassionately and with unwavering professionalism. Whether he is guiding a family into its forever home or reflecting on the miracle of his own son’s survival, Henson is a man who never forgets what really matters.
“As industry professionals, when we begin to look at it as we are building a business — not just trying to sell a home — I think it changes perspective on how we operate, how we treat people, how we lead and how we interact with other professionals,” Henson said. "This isn't just me trying to hustle a few bucks to pay for a vacation. I'm trying to build something that sustains and lasts beyond a year, two years or even a decade.
“I want to excel with professionalism, competence and honesty."
