SUPERINTENDENT MAURICE A. WEST grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. The Lord saved him in April 1972 on the campus of Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO, and the Lord soon called him into the ministry. His early ministerial training came in his home church in Kansas City where he also met his future wife.

After receiving his bachelor's degree in 1975, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and served under Dr. James T. Jefferson, Sr., of the Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ. While he lived in St. Louis, he and his sweetheart from Kansas City, SHARON D. CARSON, were married in 1976 and they continue together in joy after over 40 years of marriage. He was ordained in 1978 upon the recommendation of Dr. Jefferson.

Due to a job opportunity and directed by the leading of the Lord, the couple moved to Elgin, Illinois, in 1978. While there he served in many capacities under the late Administrative Assistant Leonard Spates, Sr., of the Spates Temple Church of God in Christ including church business manager, mid-week Bible study teacher, and, for a period, as District Evangelist. He also conducted a radio broadcast until the cost became prohibitive and led an evangelistic team in weekly door-to-door ministry in Elgin. While in Elgin, the Lord blessed the couple with two sons.

He and his family moved to Rockford in 1991 to serve as assistant pastor to Pastor Loren Lambert, pastor of West Side Church of God in Christ. He served as Assistant Pastor and Sunday School Superintendent for eight years. He completed his Master’s degree in Business Administration with Distinction from Keller Graduate School of Management during this time.

Upon Pastor Lambert’s death, Bishop Dennis Flakes, appointed him as the pastor of West Side Church in February 1999. During his time as pastor, the church has been completely remodeled, the church campus has been expanded, a parking lot and addition has been added, contemporary ministries have been added, and the church has a vibrant focus on its community. In October 2010, Bishop Sedgwick Daniels, appointed him as Superintendent of the Wonder District (covering Northern Illinois) to replace the retiring Superintendent. He continues in that capacity.

He retired from Northrop Grumman Corporation after nearly 35 years of service in 2012 to focus on the work of the ministry and helping his region. Since retiring, he was appointed by the Mayor to be one of three Commissioners on the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. He is also President of the Rockford Ministers Fellowship and a board member of Rockford Corridor Improvement. The improvement of the region is vitally important to him to help elevate the economic and social justice opportunities for everyone in the community.

He and First Lady West have two adult sons, Elder Maurice A. West II, with his lovely wife, Leslie, West Side’s Minister of Music and the Illinois State Representative from the 67th District, and Mark A. West, a theater professional living in Chicago. What a joy it is for them to boast on God’s goodness in blessing both of their children to have college degrees and love the Lord Jesus Christ!