New Lake Church Historical Sketch

About the Book

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.

About the Author

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.