In 1972, Bishop W. L. Porter founded Greater Community Temple Church of God in Christ. The church was located in an area of Memphis that desperately needed a true God sent ministry. Even though the initial congregation consisted only of Bishop Porter's immediate family, Greater Community Temple was recognized as the largest C.O.G.I.C. building of the city. Newspapers across town jokingly stated the church had "Everything... but members."

Greater Community Temple (GCT) became a beacon of hope for North Memphis, providing physical, mental, and spiritual nurturing for many families. In 1991, after years of watching God move miraculously, Bishop Porter appointed his son, Brandon B. Porter, as the Pastor of this great ministry. Since Pastor Porter's appointment, GCT has grown tremendously in membership and service towards the community, therefore, continuing the standard of excellence established by Bishop Porter.

Pastor and Mrs. Porter, along with the GCT Family, are continuing to "Impact the Community to Change the World." Like North Memphis, Hickory Hill was another community in need of a “soil-breaker”. Pastor Porter was sent by God to enrich this area by planting and ever yielding Word of God to people hungry for the truth. In 1999 by acquiring our East Memphis-Hickory Hill property, we became “One Church in Two Locations”. Even our Family Life Center flourishes as a “Beacon of Hope”, compelling the saved and unsaved to come in and fellowship.

In 2004, God entrusted His manservant with still another community. For many years, Pastor Brandon B. Porter felt a tremendous need for ministry in Cordova, Tennessee. He noticed a growing trend of people wanting to attend church near their homes because of their jobs, children and other events in their lives. With people and ministry changing, Pastor Porter discerned the need for convenience, noting that this is not compromise, but MINISTRY! With the help of God, on October 3rd, Greater Community Temple gave birth to its third campus, opening its doors to a “packed house”. We are now “One Church In Three Locations” expanding the Power, Praise and Preached Word in North Memphis, Hickory Hill and Cordova.

Greater Community Temple offers many areas of ministry for the community, which includes a television and radio ministry seen and heard throughout the week. The cutting edge and progressive efforts of Greater Community Temple Ministries have fortified its commitment to "Build a Greater Community" by breathing life, prosperity, and spiritual vitality into the depths of Memphis and the Mid-South.