When I was 11, I was baptized, mostly because my family wanted me to. It wasn’t long before I started attending church for a few weeks, maybe two or three. Soon, I became less active and drifted away, finding temporary happiness in things like late-night mobile games.
The pandemic came, and I was still the same. Even after the pandemic, I stayed on the same path until I began to feel a weakness within myself and realized how far I had strayed from the Church.
One day, I decided to attend again. I wasn’t planning on going every week, but I felt welcomed and realized I was needed there. And so, I continued going to church, and my mission in life changed. My desires changed, and I realized what I truly wanted. I found a deep desire to serve Jesus Christ and understood that His plan for me is more important than anything I could plan for myself.
That's why I chose to serve a mission—not because others wanted me to, but because I want to help others feel God's love. I love God and I want to help with His plan. And I know that He is the only way to eternal life.
ELDER CASTILLO
Philippines Olongapo Mission
(January 2025 - January 2027)