Church History
“But we all with open face beholding as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
— 2 Corinthinans 3:18
In the beginning was the Word and it began in Tampa, May 2002, at the Airport Marriott. With unlimited seating and only eight members we received our daily bread from Evangelist Aubrey Shines, a man carrying a God-given insight of the prophetic. His teachings incited a desire in us to explore and challenge our historical customs and traditional teachings based solely on God’s Word. We stretched and grew, not only in numbers but also spiritually.
Coming back Sunday after Sunday with no music, paid parking and just the Word, we consistently pressed on and grew larger. The Glory To Glory membership steadily grew as more and more hungry souls sought to know God’s Word and were filled with His precious Holy Spirit.
In 2003, Evangelist Aubrey Shines became the official Senior Pastor of Glory to Glory Ministries. During this time, we journeyed on to our next venue on North Street in Tampa, FL. His family arrived being a blessing to us as we joyfully worshipped God, dancing in the aisles and blowing our whistles.
While North Street temporarily alleviated our Marriott woes, we were soon challenged with limited parking in an angry, hostile neighborhood. After several hearings with the Tampa City Council, it was decided that the zoning was no longer appropriate for a place of worship, and we found ourselves once again assembling in a hotel. Nevertheless, we remained encouraged through fasting and prayer.
In November 2006, Glory To Glory Ministries expanded to our next temporary dwelling: 5028 East 10th Ave, Tampa, FL 33619. To accommodate our ever growing congregation, we soon after began an 8 a.m. and a 10 a.m. service with a separate Youth Service on 2nd and 4th Sundays at 10 a.m. As a church family that was still considered to be in its infancy, Glory To Glory experienced phenomenal growth.
During 2010, Pastor Shines was directed by God to give a spoken word to someone he had only seen in a vision. After searching, he found Bishop Harry R. Jackson, Jr. and opportunity presented itself for the prophecy to be given to him. The spoken word became reality, and in 2011, Glory to Glory Ministries aligned itself with the International Communion of Evangelical Churches led by Presiding Bishop Harry R. Jackson, Jr. where Pastor Shines not only became Bishop (Designate) but also the prophetic voice of ICEC Organization.
In May 2011 our name changed to Glory to Glory Ministries; and in November 2011, we chose to leave the current location to seek a better place of Worship. Again, praying, fasting and asking God for His direction for the right place, we went from hotels, family worship centers and the like. Finally, in March of 2013, we secured and moved into our current location at 8717 Temple Terrace Highway, Temple Terrace, FL 33637. Again, we stretched and grew not only in numbers, but also spiritually. Now again bursting at the seams, we began two services in May of 2014 to accommodate the growth of the congregation, which is taking place, making room for many more warriors in the community that will come.
With the intense passion and strong desire that Christ continues to place in our Pastor, he continues to strengthen and broaden our foundations. In many cases he, along with trained leaders, helps to rebuild broken foundations, empowering, leading, and preparing the church for the battles that lie ahead.
Thoroughly convinced that the Bible is the infallible Word of God, Bishop Shines continues to sound the alarm, to stand on the Word of God, without compromise and without wavering, encouraging us to face the battles we are experiencing today in America being unafraid. He compels the church to return to what our forefathers established and to live by what God has ordained in His Word, without compromise, addressing the most pressing issues of our day, primarily those relating to righteousness.
Currently, Bishop Shines is actively involved connecting and serving with the following organizations:
Christians United for Israel (CUFI) is an American pro-Israel Christian organization that defines itself as “a national grassroots movement focused on the support of Israel, operating under the leadership of John Hagee.
Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE) is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit think and do tank under the leadership of President and Founder Star Parker, that fights poverty and restores dignity through the message of faith, freedom, and personal responsibility.
Family Research Council (FRC) is a Washington, D.C.-based organization under the leadership of President Tony Perkins.
Faith Leaders for America, a newly formed and dedicated group of clergy and leaders from various faith communities who share a common commitment to freedom—freedom of religion, freedom of speech and the other liberties guaranteed by our constitution—along with a firm commitment to address the imminent threats to those freedoms. under the leadership of Mr. Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.
