Evg. Antonia Mercer
Antonia Marie Mercer was born and raised at Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Church (CTAFC). She is the third child born to the union of Donna K. and Anthony B. Philips. Antonia has six sisters and is a third-generation Apostolic.
Antonia was baptized in Jesus name and received the gift of the Holy-Spirit on January 7, 1990 under the late Bishop Dr. D.R. Bell. At the tender age of five years old, when asked why she wanted to be baptized, she responded “Because I want to go to heaven.”
Since receiving the Holy Spirit, Antonia has developed a greater relationship with the Lord and has served in several ministries at CTAFC. She served as Sunday School Teacher, Altar Worker, Youth Chairlady, and Choir Director. After serving in many capacities at her local church, Antonia decided to answer the call of God on her life to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 2009.
Antonia was a part of a cohort of college students at CTAFC who were passionate about Campus Ministry. While attending Benedictine University, Antonia started the Oasis Campus Ministry, where she began teaching Bible Classes. Through that ministry, many souls were baptized in Jesus Name and received the Holy Spirit.
Antonia graduated from Benedictine University where she earned a BS in Nutrition and a MS in Nutrition and Wellness- Public Health concentration. Passionate about her field, she currently works for the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). She started her career as a Health Education Coordinator for a Nutrition and Public Health program and is now working as a Research Coordinator for the University. Antonia also utilizes her project management skills at the nonprofit Dream Academy Foundation, where she serves as the Director of Program Management.
After graduating from Benedictine University, Antonia continued her education at Bell Bible College. She completed the necessary courses to become a certified Sunday School Teacher and is a licensed evangelist with the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith International (PCAFI).
In 2020, Antonia was elevated to Youth Pastor of Christ Temple Apostolic Faith church. Like Esther, she believes God has called her to this platform, for such a time as this. Her mission is to inspire and empower young and old, to live and operate in the power of the Holy Spirit, amid a culture of sensuality, humanism, and anarchy. Antonia believes that it will take a bold remnant of believers, who are spiritually equipped, to fight for the cause of Christ during the close of this church age.