As a teenager, Saul Castillo loved to share Jesus. By age 16, as a Monterey Bay Academy student, he was preaching in area churches. Choosing the ministry full-time, he was pastoring in Wasco and Lamont when he felt God’s call to teach. He joined the staff at Valley View Academy, a 10-grade school in Arroyo Grande, Calif., as teacher and chaplain. That was in 1997.

While pastoring, Castillo led his churches into community outreaches, meeting the needs of those less fortunate. In Lamont, he partnered with local agencies using the church facilities as a base for combined services. As a teacher, Castillo's love for His Lord and for ministry was contagious. He instilled in his students a love for Bible study and for outreach. The annual mission trips were one of the hands-on practical Christian lifestyle experiences he so valued.

When Captain Castillo, an Army Reserves chaplain, was called up for active duty in Iraq, conference leaders invited him to be ordained before he deployed. On Sunday, Oct. 24, Castillo, joined by his family and friends, was ordained into the gospel ministry at the monthly conference executive committee.

“We are proud of you. Before you go off to serve your country in this sacred and special ministry, we are recognizing what God has already done,” said President Jerry Page.

An emotional Castillo thanked his praying mother for being a model of God in his life, his godly and supportive mother-in-law and his wife for her strength and love. “I praise God for allowing me to reach this point in my ministry and am awed and overwhelmed by God’s goodness. I’ve come to live by these words: ‘It’s not about me,’” Castillo said.

Currently stationed abroad with the 1st of the 140th aviation battalion, Castillo’s one request is: “Pray for our country, its leaders and its soldiers.”