Key Points:

 

    • Central time zone
    • 14 years in small town and rural ministry.
    • Permanently confined to a wheelchair for the last 19 years.
    • 2 years of youth ministry.
    • 4 units of CPE.
    • 6 years as a chaplain.

My name is David Castner.  I am currently serving at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Forrest Illinois.  This is a small town of 1,100 people in a strongly agricultural area.  I have to say that I have accumulated a variety of experiences in my life.

I was born and raised in Montana till age nine, then lived in an Arizona mining town until age 18 when I went back to Montana for college.  I have worked as a laborer and heavy equipment operator in copper mines, been an Environmental Scientist with a hydrogeological consulting firm, and a retail store manager.  I have done everything from running Zamboni to 300-ton mine trucks, and mucking out stalls to ministry.  It has been a lot of fun.

This experience has helped prepare me for ministry to the people I love, small town and rural (STAR) people.  STAR ministry is about building personal relationships in ways you do not have in city churches.  You do not have to be a farm kid to flourish here as a pastor, only a desire to listen and learn who these people are and how they are deeply tied to their land, livestock, family, and community.

About myself, I have always loved hunting and fishing.  I must always be working with my hands so now I am learning woodworking though I mostly just make sawdust right now.  I have been married for 27 years and have been happily married for about 8 months of that (just kidding).  I have a son who is 19 years old and in college with the dream of being a famous Youtuber.

I live my life with the simple philosophy, that happiness is a choice.  I am sarcastic and a smart ass who likes to make a joke of everything.  I love to laugh, and I do not take myself very seriously.  Life is much too difficult and so it mustn’t be taken too seriously.

Blessings,

Pastor Dave Castner