"Hi everyone, I’m Ryan Caston, and I’m extremely honored and grateful to be the firstborn child of Stefanie and Jason Caston. In 2021, when Aliyah Ministry was birthed, I was only 12 years old. I didn’t fully understand what was happening. All I knew was that my mom and her best friend, Candace, were starting something brand new.

The first time they did an Aliyah event, I wasn’t a part of it. I just saw the mountains formed in the sanctuary and thought that was the coolest thing. I never understood the fullness of the events until I helped at the next one. When my mom asked if I would help with the event, I had a decision to make. I could either go to the event, or I could go do a super cool thing with band. But there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to do the event, and I’m extraordinarily in awe of what the Lord showed me.

I was sitting in the balcony of the sanctuary, about to take a nap, when I heard my mom say my name. I perked up from my resting spot and wanted to hear what she was saying. Little did I know, she was talking about when she rejected me and my little brother. I kept listening to the words she said, and it made my heart break. I never truly understood my mom’s testimony until that day.

During the final break, I ran and gave my mom a huge hug, tears running down my face. When the break ended, after she spoke a little more, she called all of her people up to the stage. As I walked up the stage—still a sobbing mess—I was thinking about what I would do or say, even though I didn’t know what to do with myself. But God works in mysterious ways. As I was helping people through their struggles and hardships, they all were helping me.

After that event, I finally understood how my mom, the strongest and most resilient person I’ve ever met, became who she is today—and that is only by the amazing, loving mercy of the Lord. I also learned something after the event. I learned what Aliyah Ministry really is. Aliyah Ministry is about walking up the mountain and growing your relationship with the Lord while going through the hardships. But it’s also about the love, unfailing grace, and mercy of the Lord, and how people—who you least expect—can change your life drastically."

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- Ryan is the epitome of 1 Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” He carries a boldness that can only come from the Lord. Ryan is a powerful vessel for the Kingdom of God, playing a vital role in Aliyah Ministry as a dedicated team member.