Casto
It’s a Southern Gospel Showcase at United Christian Church Sunday.
The church is celebrating its pastor Greg Casto’s 50th birthday and his step into spiritual fatherhood by bringing together some of the greatest Southern gospel singing you’ll ever hear.
Dr. T.L. Lowery will be the special guest speaker.
Born in the hills of West Virginia, Casto was serenaded by the beautiful high voice of his mother, Carolyn, and his daddy’s low, low, low voice. His father, Luther C. Casto, was a legend in Southern gospel music. When he sang, the floor would shake and by the time he had finished his solo the audience was on their feet applauding.
Luther Cles Casto knew how to sing and he knew how to move the crowd. He just didn’t know Jesus. One night Jesus began to tug at his heart and he gave his soul, life and talent to the Lord. He came home and said, “I’m not singing with the quartet anymore — our family is going to sing gospel music.”
The Casto family was formed with 5-year-old Greg and 8-year-old Tim as well as mother and father Carolyn and Luther. Greg’s voice later won awards such as Lead Singer of the Year and Musician of the Year.
Gospel music has filled most of Pastor Casto’s life. The Redeemer’s Quartet was another group filled with the Casto family talent. Some of the original Redeemer’s Quartet will be at the Southern Gospel Showcase.
Casto was called to minister the Word of God through preaching when he was 13. His love for gospel music and his signature vocals were soon recognized and doors opened for him to sing with many celebrated Southern gospel groups.
He sang with The Kingsmen along with legends of Southern gospel Jim Hamill, Squire Parsons, Anthony Burger, Mark Trammell, Ed Crawford and Ernie Phillips.
Pastor Greg’s friend, “Big Ed” Crawford, will be with at the showcase.
Pastor Greg and his wife, Terri, have been married for 30 years. They work side by side in the ministry, training and teaching their congregation members to be disciples of Jesus Christ and how to win souls to build the Kingdom of God.
By the age of 27, God had expanded Castro’s vision. Over the next 17 years, Casto planted three churches in West Virginia. He was led to Cleveland, to work alongside Dr. T.L. Lowery.
Pastor Greg Casto noted he has experienced many signs, wonders and miracles as promised by God’s powerful word.
He said he has witnessed many miracles due to God’s supernatural healing power such as the crippled rising up from wheelchairs fully healed, cataracts literally flowing down a man’s face from his eyes, a woman brought back to life, and God totally restoring a woman’s hearing.
Television had now become a part of his ministry including appearances on TBN and other major Christian networks. He is currently the host pastor for the “Shield of Faith” television program, which is seen on Channel 5 Sundays at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
The Castos have two children. Son Mark is a minister working with “The Extreme,” the youth focus of the Voice of Evangelism Ministry led by the Rev. Perry Stone of Cleveland. Mark is married to Destani, and they have two children, Elijah and Ezekiel. The Castos’ daughter, Brittany lives in Pasadena, Texas.
The “Spiritual Father Induction” service is at 10 a.m. Sunday with Lowery speaking.
Dinner will be served in the Fellowship Hall of the church at noon.
After dinner the afternoon will feature Southern Gospel music. The master of ceremonies is the Rev. Mark Casto.
Singing will be the Original Redeemer’s Quartet, “Big Ed” Crawford, The Ray Branham Family and many more Southern gospel greats.
