Showing posts with label Obituary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obituary. Show all posts

Friday, December 2, 2022

Obituary - Domingo Castillo

Domingo H. Castillo was born on September 26, 1931 in Eagle Lake, Texas. Because of his trust in Jesus Christ as Savior, he entered Heaven on November 16, AD 2022.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife Rose Castillo (AD 1933-2022), grandson Michael Gutierrez, parents Baudelio and Manuela Castillo, brothers Julian, Juan and Luis Castillo, and sisters Anita Contreras and Fidencia Morales. 

Domingo was a devoted husband and father to his four children. It was through his wife that he came to saving faith in Jesus, and together they loved and served the Lord, their family and community. 

In 1955, Domingo attended a church revival that changed the course of his life and family tree. It was there that he decided to follow Jesus in faith. Shortly thereafter, he was baptized and then preached the first of many sermons.

The Word of God was his most cherished possession. He daily read his Bible and lived out of it, studying every word and putting into practice all that he knew to be true of the Lord. His teaching was centered around the letters of his Father as “la escritura dice”.

Domingo not only served his church family spiritually but also physically as he worked on the construction team to build the church in Crosby where he pastored for many years.  

As a bivocational pastor, he held jobs in the community, most notably in hospital maintenance, fulfilling his calling to share the gospel not only in the church, but to those whom he interacted with in his day-to-day mission field.

Until his last day, Domingo shared his love of Jesus with anyone he could. His life’s mission was the Father’s will — that everyone would believe in the Lord and be saved. 

He is survived by his children, Rebecca Contreras (Tony) of Mont Belvieu, TX, Micaela Gutierrez (Eloy) of Eagle Lake, TX, Domingo Castillo, Jr. (LaDonna) of Lawton, OK, Delia Teague (Terry) of Huntersville, NC. He also had 8 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.

He is also survived by his brother Ignacio Castillo (Eloisa) from Eagle Lake, Texas, numerous nieces and nephews. Lastly, he is survived by his beloved family in faith Bernalda Aguilar, Mireya Soto, Yadira Moctezuma, Emanuel Jaimez, Yobani Jaimez and Mayra Whitworth.

Visitation will begin at 5 pm at Eagle Lake Funeral Home on Friday, November 18, 2022. Funeral service will be at 10:00 am Saturday at First Baptist Church in Eagle Lake with burial to follow at Nativity Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Eloy Gutierrez, Allen Morales, Daniel Contreras, Yobani Jaimez, Ryan Gutierrez, Jacob Patterson

******* 

The Funeral Service was led by:  Rev. Ruben Mesa, Randi Freeman, Rev. Rogelio Rodriguez.  Music: Old Rugged Cross, What a Day That Will Be, Rondalla “Choir of Guitars,” and others.   One song said, “You know nothing, until you know the love of God.”

From the San Jacinto Baptist Association, Baytown, TX:

“We have received word that Domingo Castillo, former pastor of Iglesia Bautista Comunidad in Crosby, has gone to be with the Lord. Domingo also led the Spanish speaking service at Northside Baptist Church in Highlands from 2016-2020.”

I attended the funeral service of Domingo Castillo on November 19, 2022 at First Baptist Church, Eagle Lake, TX.  I also attended the funeral of Rose Castillo on April 6, 2022, also at First Baptist Church, Eagle Lake, TX. 

Domingo and Rose were members of the church I pastored, Northside Baptist Church, Highlands, TX from about 2016 to 2020.  They were both a great asset to me and the church.  They were the kind of pastor and pastor’s wife I looked up to and admired.  We spent many times in good fellowship.  We joked and laughed a lot.  Sometimes a retired pastor can be a problem to a pastor and church.  This was never the case with Domingo and Rose.  It was easy to depend on them, and trust them.  During that time Domingo began teaching a Sunday School Class and Sunday morning Worship service in Spanish.  I went to a LifeWay store and found some good Christian Spanish books he used.  Domingo especially liked the books by Dr. Daniel Sanchez of SWBTS and a parallel NKJV/Spanish Bible.  He also had much of the material he used. 

Domingo also did some much needed carpenter work at Northside. 

I tried to get Domingo to preach in our regular Worship Services.  But he said he was not comfortable preaching in English.  He spoke good English as well as Spanish.  I would call on him to lead in prayer in church, and enjoyed hearing him pray in Spanish. 

Rose told me of sitting under a tree, then, for some reason getting up and walking a few steps.  Just then a large branch of the tree fell right where she had been sitting. 

Domingo told me of several times when the Lord had really spoken to him in dreams.  Of course, he never strayed from his confidence in the inerrancy of the Bible, God’s Word.  And these dreams never in any way contradicted God’s Word. 

In short, Domingo and Rose impressed me as a great example of what a pastor and wife ought to be. 

 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.  -Jesus; John 5:24  NKJV

We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.  -2 Corinthians 5:8

Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”  -Revelation 14:13

-David R. Brumbelow, gulfcoastpastor.blogspot.com, December 2, AD 2022. 


Articles:

When You Resign or Retire as Pastor

Baptists and Eternal Security, or Once Saved Always Saved; Part 1 of 3

Wit And Wisdom Of My Dad

What's Wrong With Communism?

Why We Don't Use Alcohol For The Lord's Supper

Other Articles in lower right margin, Web Version. 

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Obituary: Mildred McWhorter


Mildred McWhorter (AD 1930-2018) died June 17 in Franklin, Georgia at age 87.  A native of Georgia, she came to Texas in 1958 to do mission work in Port Arthur.  She then moved to Houston, TX in 1963.  She led the Baptist Mission Centers in Houston from 1963-1992.  The Baptist Mission Centers were a ministry of local Baptists as well as the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board (now North American Mission Board). 

At Centralhatchee Baptist Church, Centralhatchee, GA, Mildred was saved at 13 after learning John 3:16 and realizing the “whosoever” meant her.  She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Berry College, Rome, GA and studied at the Carver School of missions and Social Word at Louisville, KY.  Turned down by the Foreign Mission Board (IMB), she began work with the Home Mission Board. 

She became legendary in her work in lower income areas of inner-city Houston.  She loved the people and loved Jesus.  In meeting needs of food and clothing, she always shared the love and salvation found in Jesus Christ.  She ministered to drug addicts, prostitutes, gang members, and regular low-income folks.  Not all appreciated her ministry, she estimated the tires on her car had been slashed well over 100 times.  She coordinated the work of hundreds of volunteers, often college and seminary students.  David R. Brumbelow had the privilege of being one of her volunteers (Critters) for two summers while he was in High School (more about that in a future article). 

Miss McWhorter (Miss Mac) never married and felt she could not have accomplished what she did with the responsibilities of a husband and children.  She did adopt three boys after their mother died, Carl Guevara, Lloyd Lane, Terry Lane. 

She never lost her love of Georgia.  She would occasionally speak of going to the Holy Land.  Some thought she was taking a trip to Israel; she was speaking of Georgia.  Upon retirement, she returned to the Holy Land, Centralhatchee, Georgia. 

My parents, Joe and Bonnie Brumbelow, knew her well and thought the world of Miss McWhorter.  I remember in the late 1960s my church provided a meal for the critters at the Baptist Mission Centers.  Miss McWhorter told mom and dad (my dad was the pastor) she always looked forward to a meal from their church because they always did a first-class job.  By the way, when your church provides such a meal, make sure you do your best cooking and provide plenty of it; it can be a huge blessing. 

Miss McWhorter had a tremendous influence on the volunteers, as well as thousands in the communities of the Fletcher and Joy Mission Centers. 

For more about Mildred McWhorter:

Always a Friend: The Story of Mildred McWhorter, by Jan Turrentine; 1988. 
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, November 14, AD 2018. 




Other Articles in lower right margin. 

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Christian Message on Military Gravestone


Have you noticed the military gravestones in cemeteries?  For veterans, the government will inscribe and mail a bronze or granite gravestone recognizing military service (a granite marker is probably more durable and maybe less likely to be stolen).  This is done free of charge.  A local funeral home or cemetery will probably be able to give you the help you need. You can also find information on the internet. You just need to provide basic information about the individual and their military service. 

If the veteran was a believer in Jesus Christ, it is a great opportunity to include a biblical or spiritual message.  First, the government gives you the opportunity to have a cross inscribed at the top of the marker.  Second, at the bottom, they allow you a five-word personal message. 

I had the opportunity to do this for a personal friend and veteran of World War II.  He was a faithful husband, deacon, Sunday School teacher, Gideon.  But, how do you present a Christian message in just five words?  It seemed impossible at first.  Also, I wanted to include enough of a message so to be as unambiguous as possible.  After prayer, reflection, and the help of my church, we came up with a number of options. 

Perhaps these messages can be of help to you.  They could be placed on a military grave marker, or on any gravestone.  They might also be used on church signs; even a memorial brick in a park, etc.  You can even hire someone to come to the cemetery and add an inscription to a gravestone.  Of course, if you have room for more words, the possibilities are greatly increased. 

Christian Words for a Military Gravestone (maximum of 5 words): 

The Lord is my shepherd
The Lord is my rock
The Lord is my light. 
The Lord is my strength
God is my salvation

The Lord is my salvation
Jesus died for me. 
Our citizenship is in heaven. 
God so loved the world
The Lord will deliver me. 

With the Lord
Safe in arms of Jesus
Saved by God’s grace
I repented, believed, Jesus saved
Eternal life is through Jesus

I am the way -Jesus
Follower of Jesus Christ
Jesus, author of our salvation
Victory in Jesus
Come, Lord Jesus.

Saved by the grace of Jesus
Our God is merciful
The King is coming.
Repent, believe, Jesus will save
Repent, believe, Jesus saves. 

Jesus saves
Jesus forgives
In Christ is salvation
In Jesus is eternal life. 
Jesus, the way to heaven

Jesus is Lord of all. 
Jesus – Savior, Redeemer
Jesus is the Christ
Jesus is the Messiah
God is faithful

God’s mercy endures forever. 

Jesus – light of the world. 
Justified by faith in Jesus. 
The truth is in Jesus. 
Jesus Christ is Lord. 
Amazing Grace

Jesus is coming again. 
Jesus came to save sinners. 
Salvation is in Christ Jesus. 
Jesus - same yesterday, today, forever. 
I am the resurrection. – Jesus

Enjoying eternal life in Jesus. 
Jesus will lead to Heaven. 
In Heaven, because of Jesus
Jesus paid it all. 
Eternally secure in Jesus

In Heaven forevermore
Believe in Jesus, live forever
Follow Jesus, live forever
Great is Thy faithfulness
Jesus, Savior of my soul.

Jesus died for all
My God is real
Satisfied in Jesus
Jesus, the Way, Truth, Life
Looking for the Blessed Hope

The one finally decided upon – Repent, Believe, Jesus Saves.  Hopefully this will be a testimony to any who pass by, for many years to come. 

What is your favorite?  Do you have additional suggestions? 

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, May 29, AD 2018. 

Articles:  


Other Articles in lower right margin.