Loss deepens his faith

Faith and church kept a pastor and his wife strong after the death of a daughter.

By MICHELLE JONES, Times Correspondent
Published January 12, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT John W. Caster, senior pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Zephyrhills, once worked for an oil refinery. [Special to the Times]

ZEPHYRHILLS - When the Rev. John Caster and his wife lost their 27-year-old daughter Julie in an automobile accident four years ago, they relied on their faith in God and their New Jersey church family to sustain them.

Their faith held fast, their marriage survived - but change was inevitable.

Caster accepted a term as interim pastor in Ohio, where their son Donald still lives, and then made another big change this month when they moved to Zephyrhills, where Caster will serve as senior pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at 5510 19th St.

"It is the most difficult thing that could happen to you," he said of his daughter's death. "It made us stronger in some ways. But it was too difficult to stay in New Jersey."

Caster is a second career pastor. Prior to his calling he worked for an oil refinery. He went on to finish his undergraduate work and then attended Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, where he earned his master of divinity degree.

The 59-year-old says he is excited about his new church. "There is a strong seniors ministry, but I also want to reach out to become a multigenerational church and reach the year-round residents, too," he said. "However, I am looking forward to meeting people from all over the country."

Yvonne Daume, chairwoman of the search committee and a member of the Zephyrhills church for the past eight years, said they searched for a new pastor for 18 months. They listened to sermon tapes and did telephone interviews - and everything seemed to click with Caster and his wife, Lynda, who have been married for 38 years.

"She is obviously an asset to his ministry," said Daume. "We are looking forward to his ministry at the church. It is a new year and a new hope."

The church is 46 years old and has approximately 140 summer members, with numbers increasing during the winter months. The Rev. John M. Harris, who lives in Land O'Lakes and is semi-retired, has been filling in as interim pastor.

Caster says there will be a strong emphasis on spiritual development and growth in the ministry at his new church.

Caster and his wife have always leaned heavily on the scriptures. "God's love has been a constant throughout my ministry," says Caster.

If you go

Church services

The First Presbyterian Church is at 5510 19th St. in Zephyrhills. Worship services are at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sundays, with Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. For more information, call the church at (813) 782-7412.

[Last modified January 11, 2008, 21:17:43]