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Born and raised in Bristol, TN, I grew up in church learning about the Word of God and the ways of Christianity. My story is one of deep-rooted Christian tradition capped with a Southern Gospel heritage. My family had a singing quartet called "The Messengers" (founded by my grandfather "Tip" Casteel). Some of my fondest memories were Sunday afternoons with some good old-fashioned singin' and eatin' on the grounds at whatever church the quartet was booked at that particular Sunday.
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While I was raised with a strong Christian influence, it was in my teenage years that I began to question the legitimacy of my personal faith. Throughout high school and college, I did a good amount of independent study on religions throughout the world. These studies continued into my young adult life. While I had made a profession of faith as a young child, it wasn't until I was 26 years old that I finally came to know Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. Through my studies and research, I found that faith in Christ is unmatched by any other belief system in the world. There is also more overwhelming evidence that Christianity is the ONE TRUE belief system above all other religions/systems that have been told through human history.
I have many stories to tell, which is why I became a book author. During our time of quarantine in 2020, I felt led by God to write a book about the struggles and questions that many people face, particularly during times such as what we've been facing since Covid-19 began. I began writing my first book on June 1st, and I published that book on July 15th under the title "Don't Blame God! Thank Him Instead!" As I began to see the impact it was making on those who were reading it over the next couple of months, I felt led to begin another book. I wrote, "The TRUE Story of Christmas" which was a release date of November 1st 2020. This book was inspired by years of debate over what Christmas is really all about. There are many traditions, especially of pagan descent, that tie the Christmas holiday to sources OTHER than the Bible. I have seen years of feuds amongst believers regarding the meaning of certain Christmas "icons" (trees, wreaths, the manger, etc.), and I felt led to write a book to explore these topics while directly telling folks exactly what Christmas is REALLY all about.
I completed and published that book within a few months, and was immediately inspired to write a third book dealing with the vast array of misbeliefs that too many "Christians" hold on to. The book, "Going the Wrong Way" is the result of some studies on Biblical world-view statistics and the alarming information I learned while going through that study. Since then I've written my most controversial book, "God Made Them Male & Female", my evangelism book released as of Nov 2022 titled, "Evangelizing the Evangelists", and my newest release as of March 2023 titled, "Use Ur Jesus Voice". My most recent book is focused on how to share your faith in Christ in public schools and other public service settings while staying within your legal boundaries.
I love writing Biblically-based books, and I thoroughly enjoy hearing others talk about their response to true Biblical teaching. It can be fun and fierce all at the same time, and I welcome any conversation that is spurred out of honest diligent study of God's Word. In late 2021, I began researching and writing a book series titled "The truth about the Truth". My first and second books of the series are currently available. I expect to be writing several more books within this series throughout the next few years. So, stay tuned and watch for many books to be released under this series title: The truth about the Truth!
I hold a Doctorate degree in Ministry/Church Leadership from Andersonville Theological Seminary, and I am only concerned with teaching and sharing the TRUTH about God and about the Word of God. It has been an honor and a blessing to serve God for 30 years through various ministries. I began serving God through choir directing at the age of 16, and in 2008 I was called to pastor my first church in NC. My family was able to move back to Bristol in 2015 where we have served God in a few churches since moving back. I currently am serving as the Worship Pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Johnson City, TN. I also teach Bible classes and preach from time to time there as well. It thrills me to discuss/debate Biblical topics as well as religious topics. So, if you have any questions or thoughts you'd like to know more about or share with me, please feel free to find me on social media using @GoWithTheGospel or email me at JonathanCasteel@Gmail.com.
I have many stories to tell, which is why I became a book author. During our time of quarantine in 2020, I felt led by God to write a book about the struggles and questions that many people face, particularly during times such as what we've been facing since Covid-19 began. I began writing my first book on June 1st, and I published that book on July 15th under the title "Don't Blame God! Thank Him Instead!" As I began to see the impact it was making on those who were reading it over the next couple of months, I felt led to begin another book. I wrote, "The TRUE Story of Christmas" which was a release date of November 1st 2020. This book was inspired by years of debate over what Christmas is really all about. There are many traditions, especially of pagan descent, that tie the Christmas holiday to sources OTHER than the Bible. I have seen years of feuds amongst believers regarding the meaning of certain Christmas "icons" (trees, wreaths, the manger, etc.), and I felt led to write a book to explore these topics while directly telling folks exactly what Christmas is REALLY all about.
I completed and published that book within a few months, and was immediately inspired to write a third book dealing with the vast array of misbeliefs that too many "Christians" hold on to. The book, "Going the Wrong Way" is the result of some studies on Biblical world-view statistics and the alarming information I learned while going through that study. Since then I've written my most controversial book, "God Made Them Male & Female", my evangelism book released as of Nov 2022 titled, "Evangelizing the Evangelists", and my newest release as of March 2023 titled, "Use Ur Jesus Voice". My most recent book is focused on how to share your faith in Christ in public schools and other public service settings while staying within your legal boundaries.
I love writing Biblically-based books, and I thoroughly enjoy hearing others talk about their response to true Biblical teaching. It can be fun and fierce all at the same time, and I welcome any conversation that is spurred out of honest diligent study of God's Word. In late 2021, I began researching and writing a book series titled "The truth about the Truth". My first and second books of the series are currently available. I expect to be writing several more books within this series throughout the next few years. So, stay tuned and watch for many books to be released under this series title: The truth about the Truth!
I hold a Doctorate degree in Ministry/Church Leadership from Andersonville Theological Seminary, and I am only concerned with teaching and sharing the TRUTH about God and about the Word of God. It has been an honor and a blessing to serve God for 30 years through various ministries. I began serving God through choir directing at the age of 16, and in 2008 I was called to pastor my first church in NC. My family was able to move back to Bristol in 2015 where we have served God in a few churches since moving back. I currently am serving as the Worship Pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Johnson City, TN. I also teach Bible classes and preach from time to time there as well. It thrills me to discuss/debate Biblical topics as well as religious topics. So, if you have any questions or thoughts you'd like to know more about or share with me, please feel free to find me on social media using @GoWithTheGospel or email me at JonathanCasteel@Gmail.com.
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My beautiful wife Lori and I have been married since 1998, and we have four amazing children. God has blessed us so much and it is the desire of our entire family to give our lives back to God through service to Him. If you or your church would be interested in having me come present the Gospel through a singing or preaching service, I would love the opportunity to come worship with you.
I covet your prayers as I embark on this new ministry journey of being an author. I pray that God will open the doors that He sees fit that will allow my family and me the ability to continue to share and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in any way possible. God bless! Jonathan Casteel |
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| Jonathan Casteel - Pastoral Resume |
