The book of Acts reminds us of Joel’s prophecy about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit among God’s people… “your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” It is important to highlight the context of this passage is inclusive for both men and women. Our Pentecostal ethos and charismatic heritage consider this passage foundational, with many practical applications in our current reality. The following observation is one of them.
I have been a trustee at my alma mater, Life Pacific University, since 2018. On my latest trip to San Dimas for the summer board meetings, I arranged to stay in the dorms rather than in a hotel to save a few bucks on our expenses. Students were in their summer break, and mostdorms were available. When I arrived on campus, I was gladly surprised to realize the RA on duty was escorting me to the same building and floor I stayed while I was a student 27 years ago. The room prepared for my stay was in a quad across the hall from where I used to live. After setting my luggage down, I walked to my former quad and entered the room that had been my home for three years when I was attending college.
The room looked the same, except for newercarpet flooring and mattresses. The same pink metal bunk bed, nightstand, and desk were thereas homage to the early 90s home décor. As I sat on the bottom of the small bed, my first thought was, “My seven-year-old son’s bunk bed is nicer than this.” I started to question the wisdom of my choice for lodging. I enjoy a good night’s rest at home in my comfortable king-size bed with a sleep-by-number mattress. I worked hard all my life to achieve that level of comfort, and this situation certainly regressed my standards significantly. This should be added to my long list of personal sacrifices.
As the immature rumblings continued in my mind, the gentle presence of the Holy Spirit emerged to crash my self-pity party. Flashbacks of special moments with the Lord in that room went through my head. Kneeling next to that bed 27 years ago, I prayed earnestly for God’s will to be revealed. I remembered how God often woke me up at night to reveal his calling for life and ministry. Laying down on that bed, I had visions about my future serving people and proclaiming the kingdom of God in many nations. More importantly, I also dreamed about the person I would become, being transformed into the image of Christ. This nostalgic self-reflection caused my soul to be overwhelmed with gratitude in two ways: I was thankful because God fulfilled those dreams as part of my story, and I was energized to trust God again for the many kingdom visions and dreams yet to come true.
Laying on that bed, I declared, “LPU is a place where kingdom visions and dreams are born.” This statement is a reflection of its history, its current reality, and its bright future. Many men and women can testify our west and east campuses offer small spaces where the Holy Spirit whispers kingdom visions and dreams with his love, grace, and purpose. It may happen in a chapel room or a classroom. But it can also happen while resting on a pink bunk bed, on an old bench, on a rock next to a pathway, or in a spot under the shade of a tree.
I choose to support LPU not because it is an exclusive place to accomplish academic goals but because it’s a special space to experience God’s presence and see what He reveals. The Lord keeps pouring His Spirit and providing our men and women with kingdom visions and dreams. After 100 years, God’s presence continues to manifest on our campuses despite our limited resources and overwhelming challenges. This world needs men and women who will bring kingdom visions and dreams into reality. For them, LPU will always be a good fit.
About Fernando Castillo
Pastor Fernando Castillo was born and raised in Colombia, South America. After graduating with a degree in Architecture, he moved to the United States as a missionary in 1997. He graduated from Life Pacific University in 2001. His ministerial experience extends for over 22 years. In 2004, Pastor Fernando pioneered C4 Christ Centered Community Church in Honolulu, Hawaii. That church planted 3 other churches in Taiwan, Haiti, and Honolulu. Pastor Fernando also served the Foursquare Church as supervisor for the former Hawaii and the Pacific Southwest districts. In 2021, God called the Castillo’s to Nashville, TN, to pioneer a church planting movement of Christ-centered churches. He is also a business entrepreneur in the home restoration and fixer upper real estate industry. He currently serves as a board of trustee for Life Pacific University. Fernando and Karen have been married since 1999. They have 3 boys, Daniel, David, and Caleb.
