A Civil War enthusiast and Southern Baptist pastor, Shane E. Kastler was familiar with Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest’s wartime exploits, but he was fascinated by a different aspect of Forrest’s story—his personal life and spiritual conversion. In an effort to change previous unfair characterizations of Forrest, Kastler presents the seldom-told truth of the atonement and salvation of the famed fighter in a spiritual biography about the general. Through extensive research, he relates these unknown facets of the Confederate soldier’s life in Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Redemption.
Kastler is committed to biblical and expository preaching. His experience in the ministry began more than fifteen years ago when he became involved in church and campus ministries while attending Northeastern State University. He has since served as the chaplain, associate pastor, and senior pastor for a number of churches throughout the Midwest. A native Oklahoman, he serves as Senior Pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Kastler is the author of a weekly religious newspaper column, “Seeking Higher Ground,” for the Linn County News of Pleasanton, Kansas. He also operates and writes a blog, The Narrow Road Blog (www.narrowroadblog.com), which is committed to devotional and theological issues.
Kastler earned his bachelor of business administration degree in accounting from Northeastern State University and his master of divinity degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. As the top preaching student in his graduating class, Kastler was awarded the LifeWay Bookstore Preaching Award. He is a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the National Rifle Association. Kastler enjoys camping and spending time with his wife and three children in Lake Charles, Louisiana. |