Two years ago, when Carl Landwehr extended the invitation to take over the Vitae Foundation, Pat Castle had never considered Mid-Missouri as an option after retirement from the U.S. Air Force.
"God knows what he's doing," Castle said.
The lieutenant colonel and former professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy had impressive offers for his post-retirement, including taking over a leading nanochemistry research center. From the world's point of view, he had money and prestige waiting for him.
Instead, Castle looked back over his life to see several pieces fitting together, drawing him to the Vitae Foundation as his mission field, he said.
"God's ideas are always better than mine," he said. "This was clearly a calling; it was up to me to answer."
After a night of talking over his belief in God with a fellow third-grader in South Dakota, Castle said that was when his faith took form. Then, when he arrived as a cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., he had to organize a young adults group at a Catholic parish, since none had existed before.
With a natural confidence that comes from his obedience to God, Castle had a successful military career. His charisma and patience made him a natural teacher. His pursuit of marathons - running 19 - gave him the appreciation for endurance. And a fascination with how science revealed the awesomeness of God drove him to a doctorate in nanoanalytical chemistry.
"The point is you're all in - aligned and obedient. You've placed yourself second and subordinate to greater things," Castle said. "There's freedom, confidence, peace and joy. That's where I strive to live."
All of that was simply preparation.
In 2006, Castle had a life-changing encounter on the Pike's Peak Ascent, where he was encouraged by saint Padre Pio to finish America's Ultimate Challenge in less than three hours.
"After that, everything got a new magnitude of intentional," Castle said. "I had a heightened awareness for "what is it I'm called to do?'"
When his running partner served overseas the next year, they agreed to continue their pro-life-themed daily prayer and Bible study through email. Life Group Devotions grew from the pair carbon-copying a few friends, and it soon grew to a list of 300 and became a blog.
With his "pro-life blue army formed," Castle's next step was forming the National Life Runners Team, which started with 13 runners in the 2008 Chicago marathon. The team grew to 170 when they opened it up beyond marathoners in 2011.
Today, Life Runners has 3,300 members in 50 states and 22 countries.
Just as with his Pike's Peak experience, Castle "collided" with his future when he met Vitae executive officer and vice president Anne Carmichael, a runner who signed up with Life Runners in Kansas City.
"Before that, I didn't know Vitae existed," he said. "God had it all figured out; he saw the whole thing coming."
Castle's first time in Jefferson City was to offer a prayer at a Vitae event in 2012. Following the event, Landwehr planted the seed for Vitae, as they both would retire in 2014.
The Castle family arrived here with a mission in June 2014. He spent the last 60 days of active duty acclimating to the international not-for-profit.
"In hindsight, Vitae got me here; but we love Jefferson City," Castle said.
In addition to the beauty of creation and the healthy, sustainable size, the Jefferson City area is the model of community, Castle said, comparing it to the 10 cities where he has lived during his 25 years in the military.
"Jefferson City stands alone; it has layers of support - neighbors take care of each other," he said.
What Castle brings to Vitae, founded by Carl Landwehr in 1993, is to speak as an expert on scientific matters; a passion for life issues; a well-spoken, enthusiastic presence and a strategic understanding. As a teacher, he is able to break down complex matters into understandable pieces.
Equipped with Vitae's years of research and marketing, Castle knows the up-to-date statistics and what deliveries should be the most productive. The key is to focus on the mother first, which is a 180 from what much of the pro-life actions have been the last 40 years, he noted.
"We have a powerfully simple message, to untwist the approach we've seen," Castle said. "It's a paradigm shift."
Castle also has brought his patriotism to the organization, adding the "Star-Spangled Banner" to all of its events.
"Pro-lifers love our country and want "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' for all," he said.
Just as slavery and denying women the right to vote, "abortion is not consistent" with the Constitution's words, either, Castle said. The irony is the unborn are not protected by the flag he defended, he said.
"When abortion becomes illegal, Vitae will still have a job to do to hold the line," Castle said. "This is the issue of our time, good versus evil. Abortion is the crown jewel of Satan, to take God's greatest gift of life."
On the Web:
vitaefoundation.org/about/pat-castle-bio
www.liferunners.org/leaders/
vitaefoundation.org/about/pat-castle-bio/dr-pat-castle-military-bio