New Lake Church Historical Sketch

By Willenham Castilla

This historical sketch of New Lake Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A., Jackson, MS, is a birds eye view of the worship, ministry and activity of this local congregation and its effect in the community, in this geographic locality and in the District, Diocese and National Convention. It also reveals the impact of the Christian life on individuals and their daily contacts. We pray that this document inspires present and future generations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Feb 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781490768267

Willenham Castilla

Willenham Castilla joined New Lake Church of Christ Holiness, USA in 1937 at the age of eleven. He has retained his membership there ever since. He is a graduate of Christ Missionary and Industrial College High School in Jackson, Mississippi. He earned his bachelor’s of science degree in business administration and accounting from Jackson State University. He obtained his master’s in theology from Christian Bible College and Seminary in Independence, Missouri. In 1995, the Department of Religious Education of Christ Missionary and Industrial College awarded him the honorary doctor of divinity degree at the National Convention of the Church of Christ (Holiness) USA. Dr. Castilla not only served on the local level as Sunday school superintendent, HYPU president, chairman of the deacon board, director of Christian education, trustee, and choir member but also served in the district as president of the Deacons and Wives Choir and Sunday School Convention -president. In the Diocese, Castilla served as treasurer for thirty-eight years. He was the executive secretary of the National Education Trustee Board for several terms and supervisor of the Diocese Deacons Relief Fund. In the community, he has served in many capacities. He served as an examiner in the Voting Rights Program for the U.S. Civil Service Commission in Alabama and Mississippi. He worked many years as a voting precinct manager in Madison County, Mississippi. Castilla has been a notary public since 1960. In May 2002, Tougaloo College recognized him with a Meritorious Leadership Award. Being an overseas veteran of World War II, Castilla continued his service with the federal government, being employed with the Federal Postal Service. He became the first African American promoted to supervisor in Jackson, Mississippi. He retired as postmaster (head of the facility) in Canton, Mississippi. A committed servant of God, Brother Castilla’s motto is Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.” He is a native of Madison County, Mississippi. Castilla is also the oldest of four children born to Deacon Abraham and Sister Magolia Castilla. He was married to the late sister Theresa Pearl Wright Castilla for fifty-three years. They are the parents of nine children, twenty-five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

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© Copyright 2016 Willenham Castilla.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

Print information available on the last page.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-6825-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-6824-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-6826-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015920958

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface

Dedication

Acknowledgements

About the Compiler

Foreword

Introduction

Origin And Development

New Location

Charter Members

Early Pioneers and Decendents

Other Early Members

Progress Through the Years

Pastors

Other Preachers

Deacons

Deaconess

Trustees

Boards, Auxillaries & Ministries (BAMS)

Some Highlights of Activities

Some Family Contributions And/Or Activities

Historical Sketch Of Pastors

Trustees

Deaconess Boards

Sunday School & Holiness Youth Ministries (HYM)

Music

Additional Ministries

Current General Staff

Some of Our Goals and Objectives

Other Notes

Addendum

References

PREFACE

This historical sketch of New Lake Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A., Jackson, MS, is a bird’s eye view of the worship, ministry and activity of this local congregation and its effect in the community, in this geographic locality and in the District, Diocese and National Convention.

It also reveals the impact of the Christian life on individuals and their daily contacts. We pray that this document inspires present and future generations.

Disclaimer: The information in this book is a compilation of memories and interviews from current and past members of New Lake Church. Although the compiler and editors have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book is correct at this writing, due to deaths of key people, the changes in administration, and lost of documents through the years, the stories and names may be inconclusive. The compiler and editors hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause.

DEDICATION

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To the memory of the late

Joe D. King, Pastor

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New Lake Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A.

1917 ~ 1946

Dedicatory Statement

This historical sketch of New Lake Church of Christ (Holiness) USA is dedicated to Elder J. D. King, one of the most effective,