First United Methodist Church of Brookhaven will begin its “Power of R.E.A.L. Rival” Oct. 6. The revival will be led by Rev. Steve Casteel.

“It’s been about a year in the making,” Pastor Tom Atkins said. “We’re a congregation of around 800. … We did a series of 15 neighborhood gatherings at people’s homes. For me to get to know them, but also to do an informal needs assessment, just to see what are the needs within our community and within our church.”

In January, Atkins formed a team of 12 people and went on retreat. The team read “The Power R.E.A.L.: Changing Lives. Changing Churches. Changing Communities.” by Dr. Joseph W. Daniels Jr. According to Atkins, R.E.A.L. stands for “relevant, enthusiastic, authentic and loving”.

“We read that book,” Atkins said. “And out of that, we met each month and put together a plan in which, starting in August, we did a series of sermons entitled “The Power of R.E.A.L.” … In September, the team put together a series of powerpoints in which we focused on the power of R.E.A.L. in four different areas: The area of worship, the area of small groups, the area of reaching out in the community, and the area of prayer.”

These were the events that led to the revival, according to Atkins.

“He [Rev. Casteel] will be coming and focusing on those four areas. … He will be preaching on our commitment to Christ, then our commitment to each other, and then our commitment to service,” said Atkins.

Casteel is an ordained elder in the Mississippi Conference of the UMC, and he’s served as pastor at Flower Ridge Charge, Pleasant Hill Charge, Morton United Methodist Church, Petal United Methodist Church, and St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church.

“He has been a member of several Boards of Directors, including the American Cancer Society Mid-South, Hinton Rural Life Center, The Center for Ministry, Millsaps College, and Bethlehem Center,” the church said in a statement.

Casteel teaches the “Transformative Leadership” course at Millsaps’ Mississippi Course of Study Program, and has served as president of the Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference.

“Many of us at BFUMC know Steve as the brother-in-law of Wayne Webster who served as our pastor for seven years. Steve and his wife Cindy, a National Board Certified second grade teacher, have two adult children, Cari and Matt. Steve enjoys reading, gold, and collecting comic books.”

The revival will begin Sunday at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Services will continue Monday and Tuesday night at the same time. On Tuesday, Oct. 6, the revival service will meet in the church’s Ministry Center located on Jackson Street.