Born in Morocco, North Africa (after her paternal grand-father’s broken dream of not being able to come to America)to an Italian father (30), sent to the Foreign Legion, in Meknes,  after World War II, and a French mother(17) who lived there at the time.  Marie-Laure Aliberti grew up in Provence, South of France, along with her younger sister Josette, with an unnatural/ inherent sense of destiny, as her grand-father would rehearse over and over again, by her incessant requests, telling  her the story of when he left for America and was sent back!

After 4 years of casting vision to her parents, who at the time wouldn’t hear it, because she was too young, by the age of 16 years old, Marie-Laure became the queen of her village in Mougins, and proceeded to connect with anyone in America who would take her in. Long…story made short, she found a 3rd degree cousin of her paternal grand-mother in Redwood City, CA. In July 1971 Marie-Laure left France (…little did she know, by divine appointment) never to live there again.

The first day of Summer School, as wild a teenager as anyone could be, she saw the picture of this “good-looking guy” in the year book and decided to find someone like him to marry. By the end of summer, instead of returning to France, Jim and Amy Morgan (with their son Steve), took her in and cared for her as their own daughter. It was a turning point in her life, as her destiny, through their obedience to God, would now begin to unfold!

Marie-Laure gave her life to Christ, as a lonely, confused and lost 17-year- old teenager, at the tail end of the Jesus Movement (see her husband’s bio for info/ links they both share), through a coffeehouse ministry to youth, provided by Pastor Rick Howard (http://www.rickhoward.com/), of Peninsula Christian Center, called “The Way Inn”, where the presence of our loving Jesus, radically transformed her life and called her to His service!

The same night she repented of her sinful ways, she was introduced to “the good-looking guy” she saw in the year book…and YES, married him…Mike Cantwell!!! One of the greatest joys of her life is their three precious sons, Timothy (Worship/Teaching Pastor), Joshua (CPA/Executive Minister) and Benjamin (Worship Leader/Gospel Singer who was called out of this world, to Heaven on 8/24/04)Cantwell! Motherhood is flowing through her veins, having extended her mother’s heart, energies and resources, to myriads of children and teenagers in her soon to be 40 years of ministry.

It was not until she planted Harvest Christian Center, with her husband Mike, in 1995, that she became known as “Pastor Marie”. Her heart for God and His destiny for her and those around her has been the driving force of her life. Pastor Marie is known for her tireless service in our Father’s Kingdom, paralleled with this constant throb of destiny pounding in her heart! The union of her heart and calling, along with her husband Mike’s of 37 years, are quite a force to contend with.

Since the departure of their youngest son, Benji Cantwell, to heaven, she has received a renewed sense of destiny! With all of that said…the rest of the story is ONCE MORE… about to unfold…we can feel it in our bones!!!

“The opportunity of a life-time must be seized in the life-time of the opportunity.” Leonard Ravenhill

In the light of eternity…Carpe Deum…Seize the day!