I praise the Lord our God for letting me serve in what I refer to as “God answered prayer” not just one but two answers prayer: Westfield United Methodist Church and Mayville United Methodist Church. I never thought that when God sent me to be the guest preacher at First United Methodist Church of Ontario, Canada on their 10th founding anniversary, it was God’s way to open for me the opportunity to meet Rev. Manny Valdez who introduced me to Ds Carlos Rosa-Laguer. I believe God works in His miraculous way to make our path crossed so we can be partners in building God’s Kingdom! Here is a brief account of my personal, educational and pastorate information.

We were born in San Isidro, Isabela Philippines on June 28,1972. We are the first born child- with my twin sister, Evelyn, among the 3 siblings. Because we were twins, I grew up in the care of my grandmother who was a devoted Christian. From an early age I was close to church, so I grew up with a great devotion to God. Because of my grandma’s strong faith I believe it shaped me to become a devoted Pastor for 16 years.( though I didn’t dream to be a Pastor)I do believe both of us with my twin were called and are now actively serving the Lord in the United Methodist Church. I attended seminary at Wesley Divinity School, Wesleyan University Philippines, Which gave me the training to be an effective pastor and religious educator. I studied further at Northeastern College as an Educator, and was blessed to be a Professional License Teacher. I worked as a public teacher in Senior High School for two years. Salinungan Stand Alone Senior High School and Raniag High School. I was ordained Elder in 2017.

My first appointment was at Jones United Methodist Church that was in 1991, I was the associate pastor then. While I was there, I got married to my loving husband Emerson. In my second church appointment at Masaya Centro United Methodist Church, I got pregnant and gave birth to our first child, Christian Emerson. On my third church assignment at Pangal Norte United Methodist Church we added our second daughter (Evalyn Rocel) to the family while serving there for 3 years. It took 7 years when God blessed us (out of plan) our youngest daughter (Lovelyn Joy) truly she is lovely gift to us and God gave us such 3 wonderful gifts our beautiful granddaughters: Shihara Jirah, Christa Carine, and Eiliyah Alcmene who completed our family with so much joy.

 I share the sentiment of the Apostle Paul when he said, “I am the least of the Apostle’s, unfit to be called an Apostle (1 Corinthians 15:9) but I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me because He judged me faithful and appointed me to His service. I know and I admit that I am not worthy but God called me and made me qualified to this awesome and wonderful ministry. I am blessed, I am honored, I am highly favored! to be part of building up God’s Kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. Finally, I cordially invite you to Westfield  United Methodist Church. Come, see and taste the amazing GRACE and LOVE of our Almighty God!

In Christ service,

Pastor Evangeline Estuesta Castillo