Christ Temple Apostolic Church is celebrating 42 years of service, having opened its doors on December 3, 1982, at 3085 54th Street,   

San Diego, California. This milestone was made possible through the blessing of the California-Hawaii-Nevada District Council, and the church is affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World organization. The founding members included Dr. Donnie N. McGriff,  (the late) Dr. Shirley J. McGriff, and their children: Donnie McGriff Jr., Kimberly Jones, Denedra Bowdan, Dwight McGriff, Cassandra Keys, and Dionne Hubbard.

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Within two years, the church outgrew its original location at 3085 54th Street, with 75 members, and moved to the neighboring address, 3081 54th Street. During this time, God’s supernatural power was powerfully evident at CTAC, leading Pastor McGriff to affectionately refer to the church as “The Miracle on 54th Street,” a slogan that remains true to this day.

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In 1996, after outgrowing our 3081 54th Street location, which had reached 220 members, we moved to 5952 El Cajon Blvd. There, we renovated a two-story building to include classrooms, church administration offices, a boardroom, and a sanctuary. This anointed space became the foundation for the development of numerous ministries, including the Philadelphian Outreach, Holy Convocation, and an expanded Media Ministry. It was also at this location that Elders were called to pastor, ministers were called into ministry, our Foreign Missions outreach was expanded, and our Pastor was elevated to the position of District Elder.

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In 1998, Dr. McGriff, his family, and the entire church family experienced the mighty hand of God as a way maker and miracle worker. We witnessed His miraculous power at work in the life of our First Lady, the late Dr. Shirley J. McGriff. It was a miracle that we knew only God could perform! As our Pastor often proclaimed, "This sickness is not unto death!" Our First Lady became a living, walking testimony of God's miraculous power. Over the years, there were many seasons when our trust was entirely placed in God's hands. As Romans 8:28 reminds us, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."

In 1999, God blessed us with the opportunity to open our very own school, the International Apostolic University of Southern California, which became fully accredited. In 2002, the name was changed to Christ Temple International Apostolic University, which is currently affiliated with Aenon Schools of Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. The purpose of this university is to educate, equip, train, and empower leaders, church workers, evangelists, pastors, and all individuals with a desire to pursue excellence. ​It offers fully accredited degrees in Christian Education, Theology, Counseling, and Church Administration, providing graduates with the opportunity to apply their degrees in both ministry and the secular workforce. We can say many of our graduates are here today serving in the church and working in the workforce industry.

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In 2001, we outgrew the El Cajon Blvd property in San Diego. Bishop began seeking the Lord through fasting and prayer, asking for God’s guidance in finding a new location. After exploring several building options and meeting with the Executive Board to review them, the Lord blessed us with a move to our current location on April 28, 2001. We purchased the church building at 309 Prescott Avenue, El Cajon, California, a much larger facility with a sanctuary seating 400, a remodeled balcony for the Media Ministry, and an overflow room with seating for 50. The property also includes one administration office building, a fellowship hall, and a trailer to accommodate our Sunday School Department and the Christ Temple International Apostolic University of Southern California. In honor of our Pastor, we renamed the fellowship hall the Dr. Donnie N. McGriff Multipurpose Hall.

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​Through serving, dedication, consecration, prayer, and fasting, the congregation engaged in door-to-door canvassing, inviting individuals to visit our ministry. Both the young and old were welcomed to Sunday School, as well as our Sunday morning and evening services, and weekly church gatherings. The Lord blessed our efforts by saving souls and bringing in saints, pro athletes to help build His Kingdom through this great ministry. Under the leadership of Dr. Donnie N. McGriff, numerous ministries were established to serve the community, including the Philadelphian Ministry (community development and resources), Armed Forces Ministry (ship ministry), prison ministry, and initiatives to provide food and clothing for the community. We also contributed to foreign missions, supporting Mexico, India, and Belize, and engaged senior and college students in mentoring youth through after-school and weekend programs, to name just a few.

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Currently, Greater Christ Temple has 28 established in-house ministries, each designed to address the needs of the whole person—spiritually, physically, and mentally. The church has been blessed to witness 25 ministers answering the call to pastoral roles, a true testament to the abundant blessings flowing from this ministry. Many souls have come seeking spiritual covering, choosing to follow      Dr. McGriff’s leadership, and desiring to experience the presence of God. "To God be the Glory!" We thank God daily for the countless individuals who have been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and have received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost under our Pastor’s guidance.

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In 2003 Dr. Donnie N. McGriff was elevated to Suffragan Bishop and assistant Chairman under the CDC leadership of Bishop Henry Johnson and later historically consecrated as Bishop over the Southern California District Council - 67th Episcopal District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World on August 8, 2014. Bishop McGriff faithfully served in this role until July 2022. He has now transitioned to the role of Emeritus Bishop. To God be the glory for bringing about a historic transformation in Southern California.

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On July 2, 2020, during the pandemic God called our beautiful (the late) First Lady Dr. Shirley J. McGriff home. We thank God as a church family we had the privilege to serve and honor our first lady for 22 years. She was a diamond, pearls, and ruby of this church ministry, she was Executive Board & Trustee member, Vice President of CTIAU and Bursar, Women's Ministry president, our church interior décor and designer, bulletin and newsletter editor, Sunday School teacher, Church announcer,  to the young people they would receive hugs, chips and candy, First Lady had that gift of sowing seed in children and families always seeing potential and encouraging the Women as well as the brethren, which we all can say AMEN today! First Lady was a great pilar of Greater Christ Temple Apostolic Church she will forever be etched in all our hearts and never forgotten! We could hear her now singing in that high pitch voice "I Won't Complain", How Excellent, thank you Lord and There is a sweet anointing in the Sanctuary He Is Here!"

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​On December 17, 2022, God intervened and moved Bishop McGriff in a powerful and sudden way, leading to the formation of this union with Dr. Gladys Grier, blending two families together all by the grace and guidance of the Lord. Amen!

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We, the Greater Christ Temple family, along with our Bishop, Elect Lady, and first families, remain steadfast in our commitment to spreading the word of God. Our mission is to prepare families to change the world, one soul at a time. We pray that God will continue to bless and sustain our Bishop, providing him with guidance and strength for the journey ahead. "To God be the Glory!" for 42 years of faithful service.​