“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” says the Lord.
Found in Jeremiah 29:11 of the Bible, these words of inspiration are those that Jose Castanon holds dear to his heart; words that he says he lives by. “God has a plan and I can see how His plan has worked out through my whole life. Although most of my childhood was rocky as I grew up in and out of foster care, desiring a bond with parents that I was never able to build, longing for their involvement and a relationship that I never found; I can still see how everything worked out. No circumstance was too difficult or wound too deep for the healing power of Jesus Christ,” said Jose.
From the age of nine when Jose asked Jesus into his heart until the present day, this profound gentleman still gives God the glory. He contributes much of his spiritual education to the time he spent in the church while living at the Georgia Sheriffs’ Boys Ranch. At the age of eleven, Jose was introduced to the place he now refers to as “home”. He, along with his two brothers, became residents at the Boys Ranch in 2004 and remained there until they each graduated from Lowndes County High School. Jose graduated in 2012 and then headed off to South Georgia State College pursuing a psychology degree. His passion for and dedication to running cross country landed him a scholarship to Truett McConnell University. There, Coach Holland took him under his wing and Jose says he has a stronger bond because of it. “Coach wants us to build stronger relationships with our teammates, so we all room together. After two years of being together, we probably have a stronger bond than any team in the nation. All the sports at Truett McConnell are like that. Everybody knows everybody… and there is always someone to greet you with a smile. It brightens your day.”
“God’s plan certainly has a purpose. Growing up as a foster child and then in a youth home, I know first hand what that life is like. I now want to be able to give back and help others. I developed lasting relationships at the Boys Ranch. Cherished relationships. Although the hardest part for me when I first moved there was opening up, I was able to develop the characteristic of becoming a leader. I owe that to them. The Boys Ranch made me ‘get active’. They pushed me, enabled me to grow and ultimately they are the reason I was awarded my sports scholarship, the reason I have a voice in life, and a large influence in my relationship with Christ,” said Jose.
With the utmost gratitude, Jose went on to share that he still feels the love and support from the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes and its members. He said to this day, he still has supporters that keep in contact with him to encourage and drive him. “They drive me to a new level just by staying connected,” he said. Upon graduation in May 2017, Jose plans to pursue Special Ops in the Air Force or world-wide social work. He explained that he has an intense passion to help others because of all that has been done for him. Jose summed it up best with this:
“I am living proof that even if the stakes are stacked against you, God has a way. He doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called.“