Jeremiah Castille Reflects On Faith, Rebuilding Churches After Hurricane & Fasting And Praying For The New Year

From the age of 7, Jeremiah Castille had a vision of one day playing professional football, following in the footsteps of those players he watched in recaps of NFL games. Back then, however, he had no idea how God would end up using this vision.

Most of Castille’s life has revolved around football, but his faith has been a steady guide on the journey. The former University of Alabama football player, NFL player and current chaplain for the University of Alabama football team is the associate pastor of Covenant Heirs International Church in Birmingham. He is also a motivational speaker who focuses on mentoring the next generation, strengthening marriages and teaching about intentional grandparenting. 

Castille played for legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant in the late 70s and early 80s. He went on to play in the Super Bowl twice.

But he says one of the most significant moments in his sports career came just a few years ago when he had the chance to baptize Alabama standout and Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young.
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Believers from Texas and Mexico continue to provide aid to victims of Hurricane Otis. The category-five storm claimed at least 50 lives and did more than $10 billion in property damage in Acapulco in late October.

So far, believers have helped oversee a community feeding center, provide materials and tools needed to rebuild church buildings, and sent financial aid for pastors whose income has been greatly impacted by the natural disaster. 

Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.
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In a piece in the Baptist Press Toolbox, Kie Bowman says, “Prayer connects us to Heaven.

Fasting disconnects us from Earth.” He says hundreds of churches will begin 2024 with an emphasis on prayer and fasting. J. D. Greear, pastor of Summit Church in Durham, N.C., is leading the church and its multiple campuses through 21 days of prayer and fasting from Jan. 12-Feb. 2.

In Houston, Chris Kouba says the negative dynamics of leading United City Church through the pandemic left him exhausted and spiritually dry. The church was also struggling with momentum and needed revitalization. Kouba read about fasting in Scripture, so he committed to fast and pray for a week. 

Since then, he has led his church to fast and pray for a week during January. In the last two years, the church has baptized a historic number of people. The pastor believes the evangelistic surge is directly related to prayer and fasting. 
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