Pastor Reverend Monscenior F. Cunningham
Reverend Monscenior F. Cunningham is the fifth child of ten born to the union of Sir Walter and Cynthia Cunningham. He was born in Atkins, Arkansas. At the age of 12, he was baptized at the Pilgrim Rest#2 under the tutelage of Reverend Dr. Howard Landrum. He resided in a small community within Atkins; called Happy Bend until he graduated from Sullivan High School in Morrilton, Arkansas in 1964.
In the summer of 1964, he headed to Kansas City, Missouri where he would obtain employment for a year at Vile Goler Printing Company. On September 21, 1965, he would gain full-time employment at Folger’s Coffee Company. In 1966 he would meet Ella, whom would become his future wife on May 6, 1968. On December 10, 1967, he would be drafted into the United States Army. His tour of duty took him to Vietnam where he served as an infantry soldier for six month. Later, he became a driver for the captain of his unit. Following, he became a Chaplain Assistant. In 1969, the last year of his tour of duty, he was honorably discharged as a Drill Sergeant. He then returned to Kansas City, Missouri to resume his employment at the Folger’s Coffee Company. He would join the True Vine Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Elbert Hyche.
Reverend Cunningham has been married to his wife, Ella J. Cunningham for 52 years and they are proud parents of three children, Mark, Erica and Christen and four grandchildren, Marlon Cunningham, Chandler Cunningham, Mar’Quan Goodman, and Amori Goodman. His employment with Folger’s Coffee Company lasted 33.5 years before his retirement in 1999.
Reverend Cunningham joined Haven of Rest Baptist Church, where he became a member in 1981 and has served in many capacities while in the church; Usher Board President (1982- 2014), Chairman of the Deacon Board (1985 – 2012), Sunday School Teacher, former Secretary of the Male Chorus, and member of the Mission (Outreach) Ministry as well as other odd jobs around the church.
In 2011, he accepted the call to preach the gospel, serving under the direction and leadership of the late Reverend Nathaniel Nelson. Reverend Cunningham preached his first sermon in 2012 at the Haven of Rest Baptist Church. Later, he was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel on March 23, 2013. You will find Reverend Cunningham currently faithfully pastoring and feeding the flock of Christ, by being a willing example for and to the flock, his main goal is to continue to teach the church to watch for the signs of the times as well as to be ready for the coming of Christ.
