Obituary of Reverend Edward Earnest Cantu

Rev. Edward Earnest Cantu, 65, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed away October 26, 2021.He was born November 20, 1955 to Ruth (Cantu) Gonzales and Ernesto Cantu in Van Nuys, California. Edward went to high school at Norte Vista in Riverside, California and graduated in 1973. He went to college at Christian Life College and graduated in 1977 with a B.A. in theology and music. He went on to be one of the first United Pentecostal Church International's (UPCI) licensed ministers to earn a master's degree in Christian Counseling from Liberty University in 1991. Edward was an ordained minister of the UPCI. With a burden for Christian education, Edward started multiple Christian schools in the 80's-90's and was administrator and teacher for twenty-seven years.Edward was an accomplished musician, singer, songwriter, and artist. One of his fondest memories was traveling and recording with Sounds of Praise in the 70's. He was the director of music for several churches. He also worked as a manager at Focus on the Family for sixteen years. Edward was the founding pastor of Family Worship Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He pastored for twenty-six years. Over the years he served in various roles for the Colorado District of the UPCI. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth (Cantu) Gonzales; father, Ernesto Cantu; stepfather, Ramon Gonzales; and brother, Andrew Benjamin Cantu. Edward is survived by his wife, Debra Ann Cantu; daughter, Andrea (Rev. Joshua) Wise of Pass Christian, Mississippi; son, Andrew "Drew" B. (Jayme) Cantu, II of Hendersonville, Tennessee; daughter, Arica (Randall) DeMerchant of Louisville, Kentucky; "adopted" daughter, Sandra Kowalski of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandchildren, Austin, Nevaeh, Ethan, Andrew (Rue), Marshall, Sadie, Cameron, Sebastien, and Quinn; brothers, Richard (Terry) Cantu of Stockton, California, Daniel Cantu of Claremont, California, and Steven (TaJuana) Cantu of Greenville, Mississippi; sisters, Delilah Martinez of Stockton, California, and Diana Alvarez of Thermal, California; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. II Corinthians 5:1 NKJVVisitation, 5:00PM-7:00PM, Friday, November 5, 2021, Family Worship Center, 1730 Briargate Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80920.Celebration of Life, 7:00PM-9:00PM, Friday, November 5, 2021, Family Worship Center, 1730 Briargate Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80920.Services will be held at a later date in Greenville, Mississippi.Interment, Fellowship Cemetery, 301 South County Road, 14, Taylorsville, Mississippi 39168.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Edward's memory may be made to the Family Worship Center, PO box number 63346, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80962. Events Visitation Friday, November 5, 2021 5:00PM - 7:00PM Family Worship Center 1730 Briargate Boulevard Colorado Springs, CO 80920 Celebration of Life Friday, November 5, 2021 7:00PM - 9:00PM Family Worship Center 1730 Briargate Boulevard Colorado Springs, CO 80920