Robert M. Castle, Pastor of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church of Wichita Falls, Texas was born in Bryan, Texas. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Wichita Falls, and Bishop College in Dallas, Texas where he received a B.A. degree in Religion and Philosophy.
During his studies at Bishop College, Reverend Castle served as chaplain of his class for three years and as president of the Minister’s Lyceum for one year. While attending Bishop he was a honor roll student and was selected to Who’s Who in Colleges and Universities. He was licensed to preach in 1961. He was ordained as a minister in 1963. During his junior year at Bishop, he was called to pastor the Little Zion Baptist Church in Rotan, Texas. Following his pastorate in Rotan, he returned to Wichita Falls to serve as assistant pastor to his late grandfather, who was ill. During the time he assisted his ill grandfather; he was elected Dean of the Progressive West Texas District Congress and served on several civic organizations. After pastoring the Holiday Hills Baptist Church in Abilene, Texas he was called to the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in May 1974. He served two terms as Moderator of the Progressive West Texas Baptist District Association. During his tenure, the district began awarding scholarships to college bound seniors and supporting foreign mission for the first time. He has served as President of the State of Texas Congress of Christian Workers for fifteen years. Among his accomplishments is the awarding of scholarships annually to deserving youth across the state. As president of the National Baptist General Convention of America Ministers Conference he has known not only for inviting some of the top preachers in the nation, but also for discussion of practical issues.
During his 37 year tenure at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, there have been many accomplishments. Among those accomplishments are the following:
- The liquidation of the church parsonage note
- The addition of the church chapel, library, two executive offices, new fellowship hall, ladies lounge, nurses station and a nursery (now paid in full), and a kitchen expansion
- The purchase of additional property, three church vans, the addition of two parking lots
- The church’s first quarterly newsletter
- First Evangelism/Witnessing team
- Food and clothing bank
- Young Adult Bible Study Class
- Young Adult Choir
- Junior Mission Society
- Young Adult Ushers
- Nurses Auxiliary
- Revival of Boys Scouts Troop 21
- High School tuition for several foreign students
- Purchase of 29 passenger bus
- Children’s Church
- Young Men (18-40) Bible Study
- 2 Marching Drill Teams
- Purchase of property for Flower Shop
- Women & Girls Ministry
- Boys to Men Mentoring Program
- Scholarships to all college bound students of the church
- Singles Ministry
- Sponsored Missionaries in Haiti
- Has supported Mother Workman’s orphanage in Haiti
- Family Fitness Center was built in 2005
- 3 Praise Dance Ministries
- Mime Team Ministry
Civic Organizations
- Former Chairman of the East Branch YMCA Committee of management
- Eastside Girl’s Club Board of Directors
- Boy Scouts of America
- Former Member of State Hospital Volunteer Service Board
- NAACP Member
- Former Member of City Planning Board of Wichita Falls
Professional Organizations
- President of the Missionary Baptist State Congress of Christian Workers
- Served 8 years as president of the Minister’s Conference of the National Baptist Convention of America
- Former Moderator of the Progressive West Texas District Association
- Former Secretary of the General Baptist Convention of Texas Minister’s Conference
- Former Instructor for Youth in State Congress of Christian Workers
- Former Dean of the Progressive West Texas Baptist District Association
- Former vice Moderator of the Progressive West Texas Baptist District Association
- Former President of the Eastside Minister’s Alliance
- Former Parliamentarian of the General Baptist Convention of Texas
- Parliamentarian of the Progressive West Texas District Association
In addition, Pastor Castle has received several awards for his service and has been invited to preach in churches throughout this nation. He was inducted into the Elite News Religious Hall of Fame on August 9, 2003. He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Oklahoma Baptist School of Religion, Langston, Oklahoma on May 23, 2005. Rev. Castle was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. International Board of Preachers of Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA April 7, 2011. He has also spoken at East Texas State University, Bishop College and Midwestern State University. He has been the quest speaker at many banquets, was the first Dr. Martin Luther King Prayer Breakfast speaker in the city of Wichita Falls. He has conducted numerous revivals across the country. He is the proud father of six children. His wife Michelle and two of his children Mary Elizabeth (19) and Faith (11) are presently very active in his ministry.
