Born in Texas and raised in California, Noel has dedicated his career to serving Latino communities across the United States as a youth worker, pastor, community developer, and advocate for biblical justice since 1982. He spent three decades in Chicago, specifically in the La Villita neighborhood, where he also authored several books on biblical justice and community engagement. Dr. Castellanos led the Christian Community Development Association as President and CEO for 14 years, an umbrella organization serving over 2,000 Christian nonprofit organizations committed to community development.