OUR LEADERSHIP
OUR LEADERSHIP
Advocate. Activist. Leader. These are three words that come to mind when describing the Rev.
Ritney A. Castine. Pastor Ritney has led initiatives across the country that educated youth and
mobilized communities around the dangers associated with drugs and substance abuse. He’s
created several innovative campaigns that has empowered others to be change agents and
model citizens.
Pastor Ritney received his first ordination in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in October
2016 and was appointed the pastor of Trinity AME Church in Gonzales, LA in 2017. Under his
leadership, he dramatically increased the visibility and viability of a church once slated for
closure.
Through intentional ministry, Pastor Ritney led Trinity through transformational change. Under
his leadership, the congregation purchased a modern building and five acres of land in one of
Louisiana’s fastest growing cities. He later completed a debt-free major renovation of the
facilities that positioned the church for 21st century ministry in a post-pandemic world. Pastor
Ritney possesses a unique gift of connecting the church to the broader community, and has
leveraged relationships to facilitate partnerships and increase the church’s budget through grants,
corporate giving, and by cultivating individual donors outside of the church’s membership.
Pastor Ritney has an infectious personality, possesses the gift of preaching, and has strong
administrative skills. Professionally, he is the Principal and Chief Strategist at Imagine Greater,
Inc., a consulting firm he created and designed to assist nonprofits and other organizations to
become more focused and effective agents of change. He sits on various boards and commissions
and serves as Chair for the State of Black Health National Conference.
In November 2021, Bishop Julius McAllister appointed Reverend Ritney A. Castine the 12th pastor of Mt. Pisgah. Upon his arrival, he immediately began the process of reopening the church after Covid while simultaneously undertaking a massive renovation and restoration project. Within the first year of his tenure, he led the church into a major renovation of the church and fellowship hall. The improvements included an updated Fellowship Hall, a new roof, updates to the main sanctuary, and re-pavement of the church’s parking lots. Some technology improvements include a multimedia booth and sound system, along with new video equipment. Under Pastor Castine’s leadership, major improvements and upgrades were performed on the parsonage which led to a substantial increase in the property value while also creating a new income stream for the church.
With Pastor Castine’s guidance, four (4) of Mt. Pisgah’s Minister’s were ordained—the Reverends Brittany Bethea (Itinerant Deacon), Brian Minus (Local Deacon), and Sandra Keyes (Local Deacon). And, after a more than 17-year delay, Pastor Castine’s leadership and advocacy led to the Reverend Diane Haggan’s ordination as a Local Elder.
Pastor Castine’s ministerial emphasis has been on seniors, children, and families, and he has worked to foster a spirit of fellowship and comradery within the congregation. Throughout his tenure, the church has traveled together annually. He has led several initiatives inside the church as well as within the broader Jersey City community. He has been a sought-out leader within the New Jersey Annual Conference and across the city on matters of grave importance. He was instrumental in creating a Bi-weekly Community meal program, serving approximately 200 meals bi-weekly.
He is happily married to Darsheena Castine, with whom they have a son, Amari. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Ministry degree from Kairos University.
More than everything, Pastor Ritney is a firm believer in the power of God, and he gives God the
glory for all he’s been fortunate enough to experience. His favorite scripture is Matthew 5:16,
“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father
in heaven”.