Ray has Co-Authored his Home to Home book with Max Keller.
We moved into my parents’ home to help them in their advancing years. After moving in with my parents, I began playing my guitar again and my father asked me if I would like to join him playing for senior citizens twice a week. I had been praying for God to use me in new ways, as I was changing careers after 23 years in the IT industry, and this felt like a step in the right direction. Playing my guitar and leading the seniors in singing, seeing someone who doesn’t speak much begin to sing along to an old hymn, patriotic song, or folk song, was a powerful and rewarding thing. After playing and singing for the seniors, we spent some time with them—they were so grateful for our visits and couldn’t wait for us to come back. When I met their families and spent time talking with them too, the many issues and difficulties that seniors and their families faced became increasingly apparent. I wanted to help lift the burden from them and, it was at this moment, I realized I was being called to minister to them. I wasn’t looking for a second career anymore. I was following God’s calling—to help educate seniors and their families about the options available to them, so that they could make informed decisions about their housing and living situations.
— Ray Castillo