Rev. Antwon Maurice Funches, Sr. is the fifth and youngest child born to Frank and Katie Funches in Chicago, IL. In the early 80s, the Funches family joined “The” Friendship Baptist Church of the great west side of Chicago under the leadership of the late Dr. Shelvin Jerome Hall.

It was under the leadership of Dr. Hall that Rev. Funches received and publicly accepted his calling and was licensed to preach the Gospel at the age of 16. It was at Friendship where his Christian leadership began; he served in many capacities: Ushers Ministry, Sunday School Instructor, Youth Director, Minister of Music, and Evangelism Director. To further prepare for his journey in the preaching ministry, Rev. Funches attended the American Baptist College and Moody Bible Institute.  He is currently enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at Faith International University.

In 2008, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Rev. Funches led his family to unite with the Lilydale First Baptist Church of the south side of Chicago, IL under the capable leadership of Dr. Alvin Love. At Lilydale, Rev. Funches served as an Associate, Men’s Ministry Instructor, Bible Study Instructor, and Minister/Instructor of the The B.R.I.D.G.E. Ministry (Young Adults). He faithfully served at Lilydale until August 20, 2016, when he was elected and called to serve as Pastor of the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Freeport, IL. On Sunday, October 23, 2016, Rev. Funches was officially installed as the 15th Pastor of St. Paul M.B.C.

Rev. Funches is a family man and believes ministry starts at home. He is married to his childhood sweetheart and wife of 22 years, Allison Nicole (Simpson). Together, they are the proud parents of five children: son, Aaron Nathaniel, daughter, Christian JaLon, son, Anthony Malachi, daughter, Kennedy Marice-Nicole, and son, Antwon Maurice, Jr. aka “A.J.”. They are also the proud grandparents of two granddaughters: Aaryn Naomi and Aarion Nicole, and two grandsons, Jaxson Chandler and Maddox Azai.

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Since becoming a part of the Freeport community, Rev. Funches has been an advocate for justice and egalitarianism in education and housing. He has formerly served as a board member of the Freeport School District 145 and formerly served as Vice President of the Freeport Fellowship and Ministers' Alliance. He has also served on the Regional Board of Directors for the American Red Cross Northwest Chapter. Most recently, Rev. Funches was appointed to serve as the First Vice President of Rockford and Vicinity's Baptist District Association's Congress of Christian Education.